From Passive Subjects to Changemakers

Too often, migration is framed as a problem to be managed rather than an opportunity to be embraced. But the conversations in London made one thing clear: migrants are not passive recipients of aid; they are active contributors, innovators, and leaders. As Kenny Clewett from Hello Europe put it, “Migration needs to be recognized as a shared experience and an opportunity for change.” Speakers emphasized that newcomers bring valuable knowledge, skills, and resilience that enrich societies, as highlighted during the discussion moderated by Laura Batalla. 

Myroslava Keryk, who leads the Ukrainian House Foundation, shared her journey of organizing rapid responses to support Ukrainian refugees in Poland. She highlighted how grassroots mobilization and community-led initiatives have been crucial in providing both emergency aid and long-term integration support.

Nelson Olanipekun, founder of Citizens’ Gavel, discussed how his organization uses AI-driven legal tools to empower migrants in the UK to navigate complex legal systems, ensuring access to justice. “Even as a lawyer, I struggled to understand UK laws when I arrived. Imagine the challenges faced by migrants without legal knowledge,” he shared.

Elham Fardad, who transitioned from the corporate world to founding Migrant Leaders, shared how mentorship and leadership programs are helping young migrants enter top-tier professional careers. “We want to move beyond survival—our goal is to empower young migrants to thrive in the professional world.”

Sabiha Azad, coalition coordinator at Sanctuary Coalition Cymru, spoke about the power of language in shaping attitudes toward migration. “In Wales, we’ve seen how shifting power to community members and sanctuary seekers—allowing them to tell their own stories—has helped challenge harmful stereotypes and build a more welcoming society,” she shared.

From launching businesses to revitalizing industries, migrants bring knowledge, skills, and resilience that enrich society. The real challenge is not migration itself, but how we design systems that enable people to contribute.

The Role of Business and Policy in Integration

Migration isn’t just about borders and policies—it’s about opportunity, innovation, and social and economic participation. The conversation also underscored the importance of multi-sector collaboration—particularly the role of businesses in fostering integration. From employment opportunities to policy advocacy, businesses were called upon to be active players in migration solutions, not just observers.

Economic inclusion is one of the most effective ways to make migration work for everyone—but it won’t happen without intentional, cross-sector collaboration.

Changing the Narrative: The Power of Storytelling

One of the biggest obstacles to integration? The way migration is talked about. Participants noted that narrative control is critical, as anti-migrant rhetoric continues to shape public perception and policy decisions.

From media coverage to political discourse, the way we tell migration stories matters. For too long, migration stories have been shaped by fear, political agendas, and misinformation. It’s not just about presenting facts—it’s about engaging hearts and minds and making the human stories behind migration impossible to ignore.

At the same time, strong examples of resilience and innovation emerged from different regions, particularly in Wales, which has led efforts to build a more inclusive migration policy.

Spotlight on Wales: A Nation Leading the Way

Wales has emerged as a leader in progressive migration policies through its Nation of Sanctuary vision—a model that sets it apart from other UK regions, thanks in part to strong grassroots mobilization and government collaboration. However, it still faces challenges in maintaining and expanding its approach within the broader migration landscape shaped by national policies.

• A commitment to safe routes & hosting: Wales is pioneering community sponsorship and ethical migration pathways.
• Changemaking in education: The Schools of Sanctuary program is embedding migration awareness into education, ensuring that the next generation grows up understanding migration as a normal, positive part of life.
• Economic barriers & employment access: While Wales is leading in creating a welcoming environment, employment remains a significant hurdle for many migrants. Programs to recognize foreign qualifications and expand work permissions are essential.
• Public transport & access to services: The Welcome Ticket initiative, providing free transport for asylum seekers, is a step forward, but delays in implementation remain frustrating.

Despite Wales’ strong commitments, participants acknowledged that continued investment, stronger policies, and community engagement are needed to sustain its position as a model of sanctuary. Wales is proving that migration policy can be humane, but ensuring long-term change requires ongoing commitment.

What’s Next?

The Hello Europe Tour’s stop in London reinforced one clear message: Migration is not a crisis to be managed but a force for innovation and transformation.

As the tour continues across Europe, we take with us the insights from London—a city where migration stories are still being written every day. The challenge now is ensuring that those stories are heard, valued, and used as catalysts for change.

Let’s Stay Connected

• The Hello Europe Tour is just one part of a larger movement, aimed at rethinking migration as a force for good. Join us, stay engaged, and share your ideas with the Hello Europe community! If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our ongoing initiatives, reach out to us.
• Help us celebrate impactful changemakers by nominating a changemaker for migration here.
• Uncover our visionary framework of four paradigms emerging in the field of migration.
• Sign up for Hello Europe Community and other communication here.