From August 31st to September 4th, up on a small hill in the surroundings of Porto, some 40 migration practitioners, activists, human rights defenders, and researchers, coming from 13 countries and connected to many more in Europe and beyond, gathered for A World of Neighbours’ 5th Annual Summit. They bonded, reflected, exchanged on their practices, projects, challenges and needs. They met with Portuguese organisations, cooked with refugee chefs, discovered local dishes and dances. They caught their breath and organized. Here is what they left with.
Pedro Santos and Isabel Martins da Silva, founders of MEERU – Abrir Caminho, Portugal
‘More than ever, we need to cultivate and nurture spaces where those who work daily at the borders, in welcoming, integration, and dialogue, do not feel alone in their frustration and discouragement. Where different experiences, cultures, religions, and convictions meet. Where we can continue to imagine and build a Europe where our migrant and refugee brothers and sisters are treated as such: as neighbours, brothers and sisters.
Spaces like A World of Neighbours.
AWoN is a European network that brings together professionals working in the field of migration from different contexts: civil society organizations, religious leaders, academics, activists. People who, in different parts of Europe, walk side by side, daily, with migrants and refugees, whether in border areas or in local communities.
After participating in the last two AWoN Annual Summits in Greece and Poland, this year we were challenged to host this network in Portugal and make this meeting happen in our own country.
Earlier this month, 40 of us from 13 countries gathered to think, share practices and challenges, learn from each other, and also recharge our energy to continue.
We continue, together! 💛’
Testimony by Pedro Santos and Isabel Martins da Silva, picture by Antonia Nascimento