Linking EYMID
24 September 2024
At the moment, MigratieMuseumMigration is running the two-year project ‘Linking EYMID’. ‘Linking EYMID’ stands for ‘European Young Migrant’s Intercultural Dialogue’. The project started in November 2023 and will finish at the end of next year. Linking EYMID aims to connect people from migrant backgrounds and to engage in dialogue. The project is supported by BIJ (Bureau International Jeunesse) and Erasmus+.
“When you’re represented it’s all about having the feeling that you have the right to your personal development.”
Our youngsters from Foyer des Jeunes and Jongerenwerking participate in the project together with youngsters (aged between 15-30) from UREP (União de Refugiados em Portugal). UREP accommodates refugees and newcomers in Lisbon and helps them on their way to build a new life. Many of Foyer’s youngsters are children of migrants and thus have a migration background just like the people from Portugal. The main difference is the fact that our youngsters already have the Belgian nationality (although they have different origins) while the youngsters from Portugal are still newcomers.
Every 3 or 4 months, an online sessions takes place, where about 20 youngsters speak with each other in English about a certain topic. This way, they can discover for themselves the differences and similarities and they can listen to the experiences of other people with a migration background. At the moment, 2 sessions have already taken place, one in February and one in May. After introducing the project and the participants, the first sessions also dealt with the youngsters and their future. The topic of the second sessions their views on work and jobs. The third session will take place in October, where they will discuss cultural norms and values. What was striking is that although they have a different status, the youngsters from both countries have the same questions and fears about their future, integration, etc.
“I already have my Bachelor degree. I have applied for jobs in big companies in the IT sector in Portugal. But it is difficult for me, because I wear a hijab and I’m a Muslim. It does not mean that I do not have the knowledge and the courage, everything required to fill that position. But the problem is my hijab. It’s a bit racist, and not good for me. That’s why I’m trying to shift my career, to survive.”
“We had the same problem here. Our generation grew up in Brussels, the capitol of Belgium, and there is a big Muslim community here. Our generation is making things change.”
The sessions are led by Annabelle van Nieuwenhuyse, a Belgian presenter who has been working in the media for a long time and who is very much demanded as moderator/presenter for multilingual (socio)cultural events. She has, for example, already presented the event for the Foyer’s 50th anniversary. You can also find her migration story in the museum.
“I want to get a training as police investigator. For different reasons. I want to be an example for family members who think the police is building a bad relationship with the people. I also want to show the country, Europe and the world that it is possible for a female police officer to join the police and to build a gentle and human relationship with the people you have to interact with. If more people like me join, then we can have some power to improve the situation.”
Our colleague from the MigratieMuseumMigration, Arve, went to Lisbon in April to visit UREP. During this study trip, he got the chance to see how the organisation works and how they, with limited resources, try their best to help the people. In addition, he was also able to speak to staff there, sharing experiences and making a comparison between the workings of Foyer and UREP. In 2025 some people of UREP will come to Belgium to visit Foyer.
