the voices we all need to hear, the humans behind the headlines, the real heroes of today
asylum speakers exists to amplify voices, educate, inspire and debunk some of the common myths and misconceptions around migration today.
From a decade of experience working in the humanitarian sector, specifically with asylum seekers and refugees, we have learnt three things:
01
Asylum Seekers and refugees have the most incredibly inspirational, informative and eye-opening stories to tell
02
Hearing these stories first hand is a powerful tool for empathy, and has the biggest impact in shaping views on migration
03
The current fear-based rhetoric around migration needs to change as we expect there to be 1 billion people displaced by 2050
The problem
The problem
The Growing Crisis
The UN predicts that by 2050, 1 in 10 people will be displaced. In the next few decades, this will affect all of us, making it more important than ever to see the people behind these numbers. Right now, the talk around migration is getting increasingly negative. The British Government is often criticised for using harmful language about immigration. The UK's Hostile Environment policy makes things worse, increasing fear and pushing refugees away. This issue isn't just in Britain; around the world, far-right, anti-immigration views are growing due to a lack of understanding and education.
The impact
The impact
The Impact of Ignorance
This prejudice comes from not knowing enough. While we've previously supported refugees with their immediate needs, these actions only address the surface issues. Most people in the UK have never met a 'refugee' or 'asylum seeker', so their opinions are based on what they've heard from others. This ignorance fuels fear and misunderstanding, strengthening negative attitudes towards displaced people even further.
The solution
The solution
A Path to Understanding
Education in host countries is key to solving this problem. Our education programme aims to close the gap by giving 'Asylum Speakers' a platform and raising awareness, education, and empathy in our communities through storytelling. By doing this, we can build a more informed and compassionate society, ready to tackle the root causes of prejudice and create a more welcoming environment for everyone.