Our objectives
Defy
Why this is important
Perceptions of identity and stereotyping play a huge role in how immigration systems operate and how people are treated in the UK. Furthermore, dissecting the language and its impact on the creation and foundation of immigration policies and rhetoric is vital to challenging damaging policies and media narratives. We are moving past the point of challenging narratives, and want to delve deeper into creating new and inclusive narratives that are then reflected and boosted by others.
We recognise migration in its current and historical context, particularly around colonialism, race, oppression and enslavement. So, we will ensure our political analysis and communications are rooted in the historical context of Britain’s immigration policies.
Alongside this, we want to maintain our intersectional approach as to how and when immigration converges with other identities and issues.
What MRN intends to do:
- Informing & celebrating–
- Our ‘Who is Welcome?’ series has demonstrated the lack of space and discussions on how immigration intersects with other systems of oppression and identities. We will continue to ally with organisations beyond the migration sector to build this series. We will grow new audiences, raise awareness of other issues with our existing supporters and audiences, and remain on topic as issues evolve.
- Migration week/month– We have a single day to celebrate migration (18 December) which is insufficient, and is overlooked by end of year celebrations. So, we intend to advocate for an official ‘migration week’ which becomes an integral part of our work to showcase the importance of migration to the UK, and all that it has to offer, without reinforcing damaging narratives about contribution in the economic sense.
- Defying the narrative– Our Words Matter campaign has already reached new audiences, and is being covered by the media, and people are pledging to say ‘no to hate against migrants, including refugees’. We want an alternative narrative to the negative rhetoric that exists around migrants, including refugees.
- We will build on the foundations of this work, and expand this to reach audiences, and seek commitments to the Words Matter pledge from policy-makers and politicians who use the language we seek to erase; canvas migrants to identify other language to contest; and build impactful campaigns so dehumanising narratives are systematically eradicated.