Key Moments
Key Moments
Migration Jam uses storytelling to empower migrants and refugees, creating positive change through creative projects and events.
Key Insights
Migration Jam was founded to counter negative narratives surrounding migrants and refugees by showcasing their creativity and potential.
Storytelling is a powerful tool used by Migration Jam to influence perceptions, improve emotional well-being, and create opportunities.
The platform organizes educational events, art and culture initiatives, and content production (videos, podcasts) featuring migrant and refugee voices.
Migration Jam emphasizes collaboration and building bridges within the community, avoiding competition between initiatives.
Cinema Paradise, a key event, screened films by Syrian and Palestinian directors, fostering dialogue about exile, revolution, and daily life.
The organization actively engages with universities and youth to open conversations and break down societal biases towards migrants and refugees.
THE ORIGINS AND MISSION OF MIGRATION JAM
Migration Jam was co-founded by Amal Jibril and Suha Nabhan to address the pervasive negative narrative surrounding migrants and refugees. Recognizing that media often portrays these communities as needy and weak, they aimed to create a platform that showcases their inherent creativity, skills, and potential. By establishing a creative agency that provides services and recruits from within the migrant and refugee community, Migration Jam seeks to offer opportunities and produce its own content to actively shift the dominant discourse.
THE POWER OF STORYTELLING AS A MEDIUM
The founders chose storytelling as their primary tool due to its profound impact on shaping perceptions, influencing emotional well-being, and affecting life choices. They observed that while negative stories about migrants and refugees often gain traction due to their sensational nature, the reality on the ground is filled with hope, resilience, and talent. Storytelling, therefore, becomes a crucial method for highlighting these underrepresented positive aspects and fostering empathy and understanding among diverse audiences.
JOURNEY OF GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Migration Jam began in 2019 with an event in Istanbul that brought together migrants, refugees, and locals working on innovative projects. The onset of COVID-19 necessitated a shift to online events throughout 2020. In 2021, Amal and Suha committed to Migration Jam full-time, re-establishing and growing the project. Receiving a grant in 2022 allowed them to expand their reach and community, culminating in the return of live events, such as the 'Cinema Paradise' film screening.
SERVICES AND CONTENT PRODUCTION
Migration Jam offers a range of services including event design and management, educational and arts/culture events, and content production. They create their own videos and podcasts aimed at storytelling and changing narratives. Specific projects include a conversational video series, a podcast exploring cultural spaces in Istanbul for migrants and locals, and strategic communication services like branding and social media management, all designed to amplify positive stories and connect communities.
KEY INITIATIVES AND COLLABORATIONS
Notable initiatives include 'Cinema Paradise,' a film screening event showcasing award-winning movies by Syrian and Palestinian directors, which facilitated emotional connections and dialogue about exile and revolution. Another event, 'Break the Bias,' celebrated International Women's Day through discussions, performances, and recognition of women's work. Migration Jam actively collaborates with various organizations, universities, and community partners, emphasizing bridge-building and mutual support over competition to achieve their shared goals.
ENGAGING DIVERSE AUDIENCES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK
Migration Jam aims to engage not only supportive audiences but also those with differing views on migration, particularly within the Turkish community, by targeting universities and holding open discussions. They believe in creating safe spaces for dialogue without judgment. Future plans include expanding their reach to other cities and countries, supporting migrant small businesses, and continuing to foster a diverse, collaborative team environment. They also share self-care tips for those starting similar initiatives, stressing work-life balance, supportive teams, and continuous learning.
Mentioned in This Episode
●Software & Apps
●Organizations
●Concepts
●People Referenced
Common Questions
Migration Jam is a creative agency focused on migration that uses storytelling to inspire and empower the community worldwide. They aim to counter negative narratives by showcasing positive stories and highlighting the talents and skills within the migrant and refugee communities.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
An organization co-founded by Josephine Amisi that teaches the younger generation skills in hardware, software design, software development, data science, and AI.
The UN Refugee Agency, with whom Amal Jibril worked in refugee protection, awareness raising, and behavioral change communications.
A storytelling platform focused on migration, aiming to inspire and empower the community worldwide through positive narratives.
The venue where Migration Jam hosted its first live event in February 2022, a movie screening featuring work by award-winning Palestinian and Syrian directors.
One of the partner organizations for the 'Break the Bias' event, working with women in Istanbul.
Mentioned in the context of the women's movement and the high level of harassment women face there, a topic presented during the Cinema Paradise event.
An institution that provided Tahina Sahar, a student from Afghanistan, with a chance to pursue her dream of education after she was forced to leave university.
A startup co-founded by a Syrian director and moviemaker that focuses on uplifting youth through programs and workshops, teaching storytelling for change.
A platform founded by Alexander Tarzakan with a similar vision to empowering and lifting the voices of displaced people.
An organization mentioned in relation to residency applications, partnering with Migration Jam for the 'Break the Bias' event.
An organization co-founded by Claire Henshaw and Amarka, focused on bridging the information and skills gap for women and girls in vulnerable communities in Nigeria.
Co-founder of Migration Jam, originally from Somalia and raised in Saudi Arabia. She has professional experience with UNHCR in refugee protection and various community mobilization roles.
Co-founder of Migration Jam, based in Istanbul, originally from Syria. Her background is in strategic communication and behavioral change campaigns.
Founder of the 'Meet a Refugee' platform, who asked a question about attracting audiences with different political views to Migration Jam's work.
A Syrian area mentioned in relation to the siege and the realities of conflict, which surprised attendees at the Cinema Paradise event.
The country from which Tahina Sahar, an MIT React student, is unable to continue her education due to current restrictions on women.
The country where Migration Jam is currently targeting the Turkish community, recruiting volunteers, and engaging with universities.
Amal Jibril's country of origin.
Mentioned in the video where community members share their stories, including topics of migrant workers in Lebanon and the impact of the uprising in Syria.
Suhana Bhan's country of origin. Also mentioned in the context of an event featuring award-winning Palestinian and Syrian directors discussing stories of exile, harassment, and revolution.
The country where Amal Jibril was born and raised.
A country where Migration Jam is considering future events for Cinema Paradise and where some of the speakers are currently based.
The country where Josephine Amisi is from and has lived for seven years, specifically in the Zane refugee camp.
The location where Josephine Amisi resides in Malawi and has been for seven years.
Mentioned in the context of award-winning directors from Palestine whose films were screened at the Cinema Paradise event.
Mentioned in the context of current events at the borders, drawing a parallel to the lack of awareness about prolonged conflicts and refugee stories.
The city where Suhana Bhan is based and where Migration Jam hosted its first event. It's also where Amal moved and became Suhana's neighbor.
A social media platform mentioned in the context of how Migration Jam attracts followers and the challenge of echo chambers.
A platform where Migration Jam actively networks and connects with new people as part of their outreach efforts.
A platform where Migration Jam can be reached for connection and collaboration.
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