Seeking safety, new opportunities, studying, starting families, and fulfilling dreams. These are probably the most common reasons why people from all over the world come to the Czech Republic. But what are the immigrants living in the Czech Republic really like? And what don't we know about them? Get to know them with us through unbiased information about the lives of migrants who have found a new home in our country. After all, #Nejsmesicizi!
- A lack of information and communication between immigrants and the majority population leads to negative attitudes towards immigrants.
- Therefore, we want to share quality and engaging information about immigrants, helping to dispel some stereotypes and misconceptions.
- In collaboration with Charles University's Faculty of Social Sciences, we will train future journalists on how to report on immigration and migrants in a high-quality and objective way.
- We are also planning research on how both Czechs and immigrants perceive integration.
- Through an interactive exhibition, we will present the stories of refugees in four cities.
Are you looking for objective information about immigrants? Are you interested in the stories of migrants?
Stay informed!
What exactly do we want?
Primarily, to bring immigrants closer to the majority population. Most of us only encounter them in statistics, news articles about security risks, or alarming posts about hordes of people at the borders who don't fit in. We want to develop dialogue and mutual understanding between both groups, especially in the context of the migration crisis, which is influencing attitudes in society. Quality information leads to a more objective view of immigrants and supports integration.
Why do we need research?
While there are numerous studies on how immigrants are integrating into Czech society, there is a lack of data on how Czechs perceive integration. Although it is generally agreed that the majority’s attitude is negative, there is no clear understanding of what this actually means. A comparison of the attitudes of the majority population and immigrants towards integration is also missing. What do both groups see similarly, and where do they differ? This research will provide answers that will benefit society as a whole. It will also provide data to help better address the needs of both groups.
Quality information for future journalists
As mentioned earlier, the media's portrayal of migration and immigrant integration often does not reflect the reality of the situation, which can lead to the majority population being poorly informed. This distorted information contributes to negative attitudes towards immigrants in Czech society. That is why, in cooperation with the Faculty of Social Sciences at Charles University, we will prepare a series of six seminars for journalism students, helping them to report on this topic with quality and objectivity in the future. Students will also have the opportunity to write an article about migrants as a practical exercise.
Informing immigrants from third countries
Quality information for both the Czech majority and immigrants is an integral part of this project. That's why we are launching the Ukrainian version of the “We Are Not Strangers” website, with useful information for war refugees. On our TikTok, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook accounts, we will continue to provide information in Ukrainian about legislative changes, education, and employment, as well as about Czech culture, monuments, and traditions.
Boots – a path to integration?
What is it like when, at seven years old, you have to go to a completely foreign country? A traveling exhibition, which will stop in at least four Czech cities, will use artifacts—boots—to convey the life stories and experiences of migrants from a child’s perspective. The interactive exhibition will also feature real stories of children who embarked on this journey full of uncertainty and hope.
