According to Eurostat, in 2021, 6 633 800 children were non-nationals in their country of residence. This represents approximately 8 % of the total number of children in the EU, meaning that most European countries need to integrate these children into their societies in a sustainable way. It is very often the case that recently arrived migrant children cannot speak, read or write the language of their host country, having difficulties learning and communicating with their teachers and classmates. This contributes towards the risk of exclusion. One possible way of addressing this problem is fostering inclusion and cross-cultural dialogue through a universal language: the Arts. Involving students in activities that foster artistic expression, particularly when it comes to collaborative art forms, can have a very beneficial effect on the integration of migrant children.
According to a report by the Migration Policy Institute (Salgado & Patuzzi, 2022), participation in cultural activities and practices can help migrants and refugees increase their feelings of belonging to their host society, develop social bonds and create support networks, while developing their communication skills. According to the same report, studies have also shown that partaking in artistic activities can help challenge negative stereotypes about certain cultural groups within the host communities, facilitating the dialogue between migrants and locals. Not only that, but artistic creations by migrants can help bring new life to the art scene of these communities. Although this report is focused mainly on adults, it is natural to assume that artistic practices can also benefit children in the same way. There are several examples of good practices with positive outcomes. For example, UNICEF has organized several events that promoted the integration of migrant children through the arts. One example was the organization of a day-long event in Greece (in collaboration with a local NGO), where children painted a mural, symbolizing unity, peace and friendship. Another example is an Art therapy exhibition called ‘In Between – Stories of a Refugee’, created by migrant children in Trinidad. These are just two among many instances when artistic expression had very positive results in promoting feelings of belonging and integration among migrant and refugee children.
In view of these benefits, the POEME project also strives to leave a positive mark in the communities of its partner countries. One of the goals of the project is to bring together language learning and artistic expression, through the creation of blended exhibitions, with migrant and local students working together. Keep up with the project to find out about its future results!
References:
Ec.europa.eu. 2022. Children in migration – population and international migration statistics – Statistics Explained. [online] Available at: <https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php?title=Children_in_migration_-_population_and_international_migration_statistics&oldid=550261> [Accessed 4 July 2022].
Näslund-Hadley, E. & Elías, A. February 16, 2022. Education without borders? The hope of migrant students. Enfoque Educación. Available at https://blogs.iadb.org/educacion/en/education-without-borders-the-hope-of-migrant-students/
Salgado & Patuzzi. 2022. Promoting the Inclusion of Europe’s Migrants and Minorities in Arts and Culture. Migration Policy Institute Europe. Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/migrant-integration/library-document/promoting-inclusion-europes-migrants-and-minorities-arts-and-culture_en
Siokou, O., 2018. Refugee and migrant children create mural to promote unity, peace and friendship in Greece. [online] Available at: <https://www.unicef.org/greece/en/stories/refugee-and-migrant-children-create-mural-promote-unity-peace-and-friendship-greece>
Moore, D., n.d. Art therapy exhibition providing opportunities for migrant children. [online] Unicef.org. Available at: <https://www.unicef.org/easterncaribbean/stories/art-therapy-exhibition-providing-opportunities-migrant-children>
