2022
Fleeing Ukraine
How Can We Encourage Societal Mindshifts Towards Fairer Treatment of Racialised Minority Refugees in Western Europe?
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
Context
In 2022, as the Russian invasion of Ukraine forced millions of people to flee, reports surfaced highlighting the discrimination faced by Black and African refugees trying to escape the conflict. Unlike their white Ukrainian counterparts, many Black students and residents encountered racism, xenophobia, and obstacles at borders and transit points.
This stark contrast in treatment drew attention to broader systemic issues surrounding the treatment of racialised refugees in Europe. Inspired by these events, this project was initiated to explore the intersection of race and refugee status, focusing on how Black refugees were treated not only during the Ukraine crisis but also more broadly across Western Europe.
Though the immediate context of the project was the racism and discrimination faced by Black and African refugees fleeing Ukraine during the 2022 Russian invasion, the lack of academic sources on the topic—due to the crisis still unfolding—led the project to take a broader approach. With limited data on the experiences of these refugees, the project focused on the broader societal mindshifts needed for fairer treatment of racialised minority refugees in Western Europe.
Grounded in Literature
The project was grounded in a thorough review of academic literature, which provided critical insights into the historical and contemporary treatment of refugees in Europe. Studies on media representation, refugee integration, and the intersectionality of race and refugee status informed the research, highlighting how racialised minorities often face compounded challenges.
Key sources examined the colonial roots of the 1951 Refugee Convention, media portrayals of refugees, and the lack of agency given to racialised refugee voices.
Qualitative Methods
The study employed qualitative methods to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of Black and African refugees. These methods included semi-structured interviews with refugees, aid workers, and NGO representatives in Poland and Turkey, allowing for personal narratives to be captured.
Thematic analysis was used to identify recurring themes such as racism, xenophobia, and the mental health challenges faced by refugees. Additionally, a systems thinking approach was applied to map out the interconnected factors influencing the treatment of racialised refugees, linking individual experiences with broader societal issues and policies.
Quantiative Methods
The project utilized quantitative methods to analyze data on media representation and societal attitudes towards refugees in Western Europe. Using datasets from previous studies, such as media reports on asylum seekers, the project employed data analysis tools like Pandas and Matplotlib to visualize trends in how different racial groups were portrayed.
A particular focus was placed on understanding how terms like “refugee” were applied differently to Black and African individuals compared to their white counterparts. This quantitative analysis provided a broader context for the qualitative insights, helping to illustrate systemic disparities in refugee treatment.
Product: Social Media Strategy
The project culminated in the creation of a social media strategy designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Black and African refugees, particularly in the context of the Ukraine crisis. The strategy aimed to foster societal mindshifts by leveraging platforms like Instagram and Twitter to share personal stories, data insights, and educational content.
It emphasised storytelling through interviews and visual content to highlight the lived experiences of racialised refugees. The campaign also included fundraising elements to support Black students and refugees in continuing their education, while building a sense of community across the African diaspora
Conclusion
In conclusion, this project not only aimed to raise awareness of the discrimination faced by Black and African refugees fleeing Ukraine but also contributed to a broader initiative to support these individuals.
Through both qualitative and quantitative research, the project revealed systemic issues in the treatment of racialised minority refugees in Western Europe and advocated for societal mindshifts towards fairer treatment. The social media strategy was a key output, driving awareness and fundraising efforts.
As part of a larger project, we provided financial, logistical, and mental health support to refugees and organized a retreat in Malta, where they gathered to share experiences, plan next steps, and develop leadership skills.
Additionally, the project involved the development of a documentary to capture and share the stories of these refugees, further amplifying their voices and experiences