Recently I was asked, apparently along with hundreds of others who work in the migration/asylum sector, to name priorities for the next decade. Collectively, we are not good at deliberations, so I thought I’d share my thoughts here for others who are also thinking. 1/10
(Yes, it will be a long thread. I had to keep my eyes closed for a few hours today and had some time to mull over - I was a bit bored.) 2/10
1) Top priority. Transfer of decision-making & agenda-setting power from ‘sector leaders’ to migrants, refugees & people seeking asylum themselves. Let’s move beyond ‘expert-by-experience’ fever – their input is crucial but it is not addressing inequality within the sector. 3/10
This transfer of power should be done systematically for the entire sector, so that people with lived-experience and their supporters can co-create change in a meaningful and impactful way. This is way overdue. We are still too complacent. 4/10
For ‘experts-by-experience’, this means having a seat at the table not enough. We need to develop a proper strategy for securing change we want with others and implement it. Strategy is not the same as a simple list of demands. 5/10
2) It’s time to roll up our sleeves and unpack the topic of regularisation, seriously, meticulously, and with migrants in the driving seat of the discussion. Yes, it is a thorny topic, yes it will be difficult – but we need to do this to advance our cause. 6/10
Some are disappointed that Johnson conveniently dropped ‘amnesty for undocumented migrants’ proposal after the election. But that will give us more time and space to explore the issue in depth and, hopefully, firm up our position & strategy. 7/10
3) Build society’s solidarity with migrants, refugees & people seeking asylum as part of a growing solidarity movement with all other human beings. Connecting with others is a safeguard against power that seeks to divide us. 8/10
Fundamentally, we are seeking an equal and just world where everyone thrives, not just migrants, refugees or people seeking asylum. We need to deeply think what that means in our day-to-day work. 9/10
That’s it from me, against the background of rising nationalism in many places, increasing threat of surveillance technology, climate emergency etc. I'm curious to know others’ thoughts. 10/10
