Workshop Overview
This workshop allows children to empathise and view migration through the perspective of a real-life story, as opposed to the often reductive, homogenous and problematic perspectives provided by some mainstream media. With the migration story being translated into physical form by an illustrator, it took a new shape without language.
Description of Activity
The activity was centred around the migration story of Afghan activist and filmmaker, Sweeta Durrani. Sweeta told her story to the participants verbally and through a presentation and video, emphasising the themes in her story that coincide with those found in the PERCEPTIONS migrant interviews (hope, loss, uncertainty, etc.). Sweeta also asked the audience questions (See figure 2) related to the specific themes. Meanwhile, the illustrator, Carys Walsh, transformed Sweeta’s story into a physical form, using artistic devices to portray similar themes from the PERCEPTIONS interviews.
Outcomes
Outcomes of this activity include a collection of drawings created by illustrator Carys Walsh during the workshop. They have been shared online with the general public to disseminate for a wider audience to empathise and infer Sweeta’s story through Carys’ art (See Figure 5). Through the PERCEPTIONS workshop feedback forms, it was found that the workshop contributed to 77% of participants believing they had a better understanding of migrant experiences, and 86% believed they had a better understanding of how migrants see Wales/Europe.
Impact
By listening to and watching Sweeta’s migration story, the participants (children) gained knowledge about migration and engaged with different expressions of cross-border. When asked if they’d like to say anything about the day’s activities, one participant specifically highlighted their enjoyment of “the documentary because I learned about a country”, reflecting on Sweeta’s story. This was further proved by 93% of participating children expressing their enjoyment of the workshop activities, with several directly expressing their interest and satisfaction in hearing Sweeta’s story: “I liked watching a video about the girl”.
Sweeta’s story and the short film also ensured a positive and inclusive experience for the children by allowing them to relate to a first-hand migration account from a Female speaker. Participants had an opportunity to understand someone they may consider to be different from them. When asked about their favourite part of the day, one child said, “I liked seeing the Afghanistan woman. I understood what the woman said; it was really nice but sad hearing her story.” This quote Demonstrates the empathy and knowledge gained by the children on a topic they would not yet have engaged with in their school curriculum. Despite this, about 70% of participants believed that the ideas they gained from the workshop would assist them in improving their school results.
By translating Sweeta’s migration story into the illustration of Carys Walsh, the workshop engaged viewers with migration themes and encouraged them to empathise and interpret the illustration without the use of language(s). The art, which is now freely available via social media and will also be viewable through the PERCEPTIONS online platform and Swansea University’s PERCEPTIONS webpage, will allow the general public to engage with migration themes, deconstructing the hegemonic migration narratives circulated in policy and popular culture (Erwin, 2021).
Children’s Feedback
“I liked seeing the Afghanistan woman. I understood what the woman said, it was really nice but sad hearing her story.” (Hafod Primary Pupil)
“My favourite part was the documentary.” (Parkland Primary Pupil)
“[I enjoyed] the documentary because I learned about a country.” (Parkland Primary Pupil)
Team Involved
Swansea University: Sergei Shubin and Harrison Rees
Creative Practitioners: Sweeta Durrani and Carys Walsh