“TALK TO TALK” FORUM

“Talk To Talk” is an initiative of L’AFRIKANA whose aim is to foster meaningful dialogue among refugees (who come from different backgrounds) and their stakeholders (C.B.Os, N.G.Os, UNHCR, GOK etc.). This coming together helps mend fences, fill gaps and forge oneness by way of better understanding one another. This gathering helps in acknowledging that we have shortcomings, recognizing that we have misunderstanding and that they have created walls and barriers that hinder us from walk together and be one. These same shortcomings and misunderstandings obstruct and block smooth services or receptivity of our good will towards each other. The truth of the matter is that some refugees think that some staff in some organizations are their enemies and have been either working against their resettlement or obtention of proper papers. Yet, the truth might be laying somewhere else; meaning the negative perception of the individual thought to be against the self-style victim is the result of misunderstanding. Another area where there is a lot of confusion is the whole issue of what each organization dealing with refugees does. The forum seeks to offer an opportunity to refugees to know better these institutions, what they stand for and how they intervene in their lives (link to the government and other stakeholders).

Objectives 1. Initiate open and sincere dialogue between organizations offering assistance to refugees and the beneficiaries for better understanding of each other’s need (feedback from each other), and offer opportunities to organizations in attendance to formulate their policies and conceive projects that are tailormade to the aspirations and concerns of the beneficiaries 2. To offer refugees an opportunity to share their views, express their needs in such a way that that we get clear idea of the level of their understanding of their rights and duties, see the gaps and come with solutions on how to fill them (educational campaign or training) 3. Give organizations in attendance an opportunity to better grasp a good understanding of their needs so that we can orient them on where they can get appropriate assistance 4. From the refugees’ different interventions (mostly claims of entitlement) challenge them to be proactive in finding solutions to some of their own needs/problems 5. Taking advantage of the events to help them understand they should not expect different organizations to solve all their problems at once. There is no magic formula in their possession to do that. It is a process and they have to be patient and understanding. 6. Help us understand refugees’ backgrounds, and from, this understanding, see if some of their conflicts, problems and needs can be solved using traditional approaches. 7. See how the wisdom of elderly people can assist organizations dealing with refugees to understand the background, beliefs and values of their clients and how best to assist them integrate and take active part in the wellbeing of the environment where they live now.

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