MOAS

In this clip Eric tells us how poetry and literature can change people's ideas and inspire empathy.

'you can tell a lot about a society by the way it treats its artists, its writers, its poets. I look at this human migration now, not from a political viewpoint - for that is not my strong point - but from a literary perspective. You see, I have a lady in my class and she doesn’t understand a word of English, but she performs perfect poetry in a language which is part of Bantu. Most of these poems are tribal; the only thing refugees have is their memories. They don’t carry household items, and because of the trauma the only thing they have left is their memories. When this lady stands in front of an audience and she remembers this song that is ancient and mystic to her - the only thing that she knows - she tells her story; not because she has been traumatised, but to say: “This is my memory”. '

Made with the help of an EVS volunteer http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisation/925407937_en

In this clip Eric tells us how literature and poetry helps people to work through trauma.

'But movement for asylum seekers or refugees is so traumatic that is it’s not only about the initial displacement. It’s not only about you losing your home, it’s about capture, some of it is treacherous movements, it’s climbing mountains, some of it is crossing the seas and they are doing that constantly to seek peace and finding none. There is continuous trauma until the point of arrival. '

Made with the help of an EVS volunteer http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisation/925407937_en

To commemorate 2017's World Poetry Day MOAS spoke to Cameroonian Poet Eric Ngalle Charles.

Eric is a poet, author, playwright and Cameroonian refugee now living in Ely, Wales. He has written extensively on the theme of seeking refuge, and now works with refugees and asylum seekers to help them make sense of their experiences of forced migration through the process of creative writing.

Made with the help of an EVS volunteer http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisation/925407937_en

Hello and welcome to the first podcast from the MOAS, the Migrant Offshore Aid Station.

This podcast is here to bring you fortnightly updates on the MOAS mission and tell you about the technologies and equipment we use.

We’ll also be interviewing experts to discuss wider forced migration issues and most of importantly share with you the stories and experiences of the people we rescue at sea.

We spoke with Dr Nando Sigona, an expert who has been contributing to an international project focused on Mediterranean migration. MEDMIG published its findings in November 2016.

What it reveals are the interesting journeys, experiences and timeframes connected with migrants and refugees who make their way to European shores.

You can read a transcript of the interview on our website:

Made with the help of an EVS volunteer http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisation/925407937_en

#MOAS #migrant #offshore #aid #station #Podcast #episode #interview #nando #sigona #MEDMIG #mediterranean #central #eastern #journeys #refugee #libya #turkey #italy #boat #regular

Here is our full interview with Dr Lucy Hovil for our Push Factors blog Series, this week focusing on Conflict.

Dr Hovil recently published research investigating how exclusion and marginalisation of refugees in the Great Lakes Region of Africa leads to a sustained cycle of violence.

Bio:

'Dr. Lucy Hovil has sixteen years of experience conducting research amongst displaced and conflict-affected groups in East and Central Africa, first with the Refugee Law Project of Makerere University, Uganda, and then with the International Refugee Rights Initiative. She received her PhD from the School of Oriental and African Studies, UK, in 2000, and is the Managing Editor of the International Journal of Transitional Justice.'

Made with the help of an EVS volunteer http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisation/925407937_en

#africa #great #lakes #region #academic #migrant #charity #lucy

In this clip Dr Lucy Hovil explains how exclusion and marginalisation of refugees inside host countries often leads to more violence in the long term.

#refugee #exclusion #marginalisation #migrant #charity #MOAS

In this clip Dr Lucy Hovil explains why conflict is such a push factor in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

Made with the help of an EVS volunteer http://europa.eu/youth/volunteering/organisation/925407937_en

#africa #migrant #great #lakes #region #charity #academic #lucy