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Fostering partnerships for refugee advocacy
In our ongoing mission to advance refugee rights and foster impactful alliances, we are pleased to share the outcomes of our recent engagements with senior journalists and religious leaders. Held in mid-August, these conferences were critical in amplifying key issues and forging valuable partnerships. Your continued support makes these crucial discussions possible, and we are excited about the opportunities these collaborations present for creating meaningful and lasting change for refugees and asylum seekers in Malawi.
Alliances in refugee rights advocacy
As part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness about refugee issues and garner support from other stakeholders for lasting solutions, we engaged senior journalists and religious leaders in separate conferences to share key information and insights. We received positive feedback from participants at both conferences. We are particularly excited about the partnerships that have been formed. Subject to funding, we will continue collaborating to advocate for refugees and asylum seekers, ensuring their rights are upheld.
Religious leaders as refugee rights advocates
Religious leaders highlighted their critical role in advocating for the rights and well-being of refugees in Malawi, emphasizing that the religious community, with its significant influence, can be a powerful force for change. The leaders proposed organizing a national or regional day of prayer focused on the plight of refugees. Such an event would not only raise awareness but also foster compassion and empathy among the general population, inspiring broader support for refugee rights and driving a shift in public perceptions and policies toward the humane treatment of refugees.
“Our churches should not only look inward but also outward, supporting those in need. The leadership of our church movements should participate in discussions when laws concerning refugees are being drafted. And as individuals, let us treat refugees with kindness and regularly pray for solutions to their challenges,” said Dr Enson Lwesya, the senior pastor at the International Christian Assembly (ICA) who was the keynote speaker at the religious leaders’ event.
Empowering the media to tell refugee stories
Senior journalists underscored the critical role of the media in bringing refugee issues to the forefront of public discourse. They identified several key aspects that need more media coverage; including the general well-being of refugees, their access to health care, education, and legal representation, as well as issues of corruption and abuse of power.
The media’s role is vital in holding authorities accountable and amplifying the voices of refugees. However, they emphasized that challenges such as limited access to information, restricted entry to refugee camps, and lack of resources hamper effective reporting. To overcome these barriers, they said that media outlets need support in terms of training, resources, and access to reliable information.
This support would empower journalists to produce in-depth, investigative reports that highlight the realities faced by refugees and advocate for their rights. You can support in cash and in kind, to help us equip the media with resources and through trainings.