On 16 January, Cinema São Jorge in Lisbon hosted the 9th edition of the International Migration Film Festival, an initiative that brought together experts, government representatives, and community leaders to reflect on what it means for migrants and refugees to establish a new home in an unfamiliar place, often far from beloved ones and habits. During the panel discussion, the real-life story of Ghalia Taki, a Syrian refugee in Portugal, was a powerful reminder that building a sense of belonging goes beyond physical relocation: it requires satisfying the human need for love and recognition, creating meaningful connections with host community members.
Building on this touching testimony, representatives from the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC), and MEERU – a faith-based association based in Porto and supported by KAICIID - provided insights on how the growing diversity in our communities is not only an asset for economic development but also a unique opportunity to foster collective well-being. The experiences shared during the discussion proved that while evidence-based policies and effective services to access livelihoods, housing, health, and education are crucial, true progress relies on building relationships grounded in kindness, affection, appreciation, and care. Interreligious and intercultural dialogue are necessary tools to create this enabling environment, fostering trust, appreciation and mutual understanding across cultural, ethnic, and social differences because, regardless of geographical origin, each community member brings a unique story and a special gift: we are all different but equal in our common dignity.
After the panel discussion, the live theatre performance “In the Jaws of the Shark” by the independent group Teatro do Migrante, offered an intense portrayal of migrant experiences, deepening the understanding of the hardships and hopes of those seeking a new beginning.
The festival concluded with the screening of The Old Oak, a film exploring the integration of a Syrian refugee family into a marginalised English community. “When you eat together, you stick together”: this key message meaninguflly reminded the audience how we are all interconnected. The suffering of one is the suffering of all, the joy of even the smallest is the joy of a whole community.
This initiative is part of the long-term endeavour of the International Dialogue Centre - KAICIID to foster migrant and refugee inclusion and empowerment in Europe as integral to its overall mission to promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue as key tools to build more cohesive, inclusive and compassionate societies.
About the International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID
KAICIID is an intergovernmental organization that promotes peace and understanding through interreligious and intercultural dialogue. It strengthens capacities at local, national, and regional levels through dialogue education, enhances understanding of religious and cultural diversity by training leaders, and advances social cohesion through conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and development policies. Learn more at www.kaiciid.org.