For years, the debate on migration in the UK has been driven by negative attitudes towards migrants and refugees. Although there is evidence that a large number of the British public hold these views, we often overlook people who welcome and support migrants. Very much like immigrants, these individuals do not have a voice in the debate.
This is why MRCF is hosting a year-long blog series that invites community leaders, activists, politicians, entrepreneurs, authors, journalists, artists, and others to help us have a different, more positive conversation about migration by answering a simple question:
What would you tell a recent migrant or refugee to the UK to welcome them to our country?
What are the good things about its people that they should know? What are the practical things one needs to know to survive in London? What are the fun places to visit and why are these important to you? Where would you take them for a meal or a fun day out? What are you proud of in Britain today? What is so GREAT about Great Britain?
Responses should be short (around 300 to 500 words or three paragraphs) and share both cultural knowledge and personal experiences. We hope to open a discussion about welcoming new migrants in British society and through these blogs reach out with information, tips, stories, and advice from our personal experiences. The traditional purpose of a welcome committee is to greet new members and to introduce them to their new community. Our aim is to both encourage a new sense of belonging in London by publicly welcoming migrants to our communities and reach out to many parts of our city in order to help everyone feel more welcome.
If you would like to contribute to MRCF’s new blog series, please contact Nick at welcome
mrcf
orguk welcomemrcforguk
.
