A warmer welcome in Belgium and the Netherlands

People with a migrant background or living as refugees experience negative public attitudes all over the world. An unwelcoming host society can trap newcomers in a vicious circle. If public opinion hinders their access to work, housing and education, the likelihood of poverty and marginalisation increases, which reinforces biases.

For more sympathetic public attitudes to take root, understanding is key. Through our programme, Other Talk, we work with partners in the fields of education, civil society and the media to improve awareness and appreciation of the new arrivals’ perspective.

In schools, our partners equip teachers with the tools to present young people with a more balanced and nuanced picture, so they approach new members of our societies with respect. We also help improve students’ critical awareness of the messages they’re exposed to through the media and their social feeds.

Working alongside the media, we encourage journalists to be aware of messages that may lead to polarisation and to set the right tone when writing about people with a background that differs from those in the host community. And through civil society organisations, we support better communication strategies and a more explicit focus on host communities. With awareness, collaboration and empathy, Other Talk is helping break the vicious circle so our new neighbours can rebuild their lives with dignity.