For a period of 18 months SYNTHESIS Center for Research and Education has been implementing a series of activities built around the Integration Strategy Framework prepared for the INTEgreat project. During those months and through our interactions with TCNs, stakeholders and locals we have drawn various conclusions about the enabling factors that facilitate the integration of migrants into the local community.
One of the factors that was repeatedly mentioned as a way to help the engagement between migrants and locals was the presence of a cultural mediator in all activities.
Migrants bring with them rich and diverse cultural backgrounds, languages, skills, and perspectives that can add immense value to their host communities. However, the journey to successful integration is not always easy, as language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and social isolation can often hinder migrants from fully participating in society and become an integral part of the host community. This is where cultural mediators play an essential role, serving as bridges between migrants and their new communities. Cultural mediators ensure that migrants feel safe and that there is an open channel of communication between them and the trainers or the local community.
What is a Cultural Mediator?
A cultural mediator is more than just a translator or interpreter. They are individuals who understand the complexities of both the migrant’s background and the host community’s culture. By fostering understanding and communication between the two, cultural mediators facilitate a smoother integration process, promoting respect, empathy, and cooperation. They often come from similar backgrounds as the migrants they support, or possess a deep understanding of the culture and values of the migrant community. Their role is to interpret not only language but also the nuances of social behavior, traditions, and expectations.
Cultural Mediators play an essential role for migrant integration:
- They help in breaking down language barriers,
- They support the process of building trust and empathy,
- They promote cultural awareness and sensitivity
- They facilitate access to healthcare and Social Services
- They help migrants understand their rights and responsibilities
- They encourage community participation and civic engagement
The Role of Cultural Mediators in the INTEgreat Pilot Project
For the purpose of implementing the activities of the Pilot Project SYNTHESIS has employed the services of a cultural mediator. The cultural mediator key to the successful implementation of all activities, from work readiness workshops to support of single mothers and vulnerable groups of TCNs. They ensured that there was constant communication with TCNs who participated, and that their needs for training, social activities and other events were met.
The cultural mediator helped in communicating with the trainers and facilitators and also supported SYNTHESIS in communicating with the participants and discussing their views on the activities. Their role in creating a safe space and forming a sense of trust between the TCNs and SYNTHESIS was also of great importance. They always felt that they had “one of their own” by their side to discuss their concerns and needs and that enabled them to fully engage in the process.
The cultural mediator facilitated the process of reaching out to migrants to participate in the events. With their extensive network of migrant community leaders’ it was much easier and simpler to reach out to various migrant communities and spread information about the workshops and events we were implementing to the appropriate target groups. Overall, besides the above mentioned contribution, the cultural mediator also acted as a dissemination point and multiplier of all activities carried out.
A Path Toward Greater Inclusion
In a world where migration will likely continue to shape societies, cultural mediators are indispensable allies in the journey toward integration. Their work helps ensure that integration is a two-way process, involving the understanding, adaptation, and growth of both migrants and the host community. As mediators break down cultural barriers, they pave the way for a society that celebrates diversity, supports newcomers, and fosters a sense of shared purpose and belonging.
Investing in cultural mediation programs is not just beneficial for migrants, it also strengthens the fabric of society, making it more resilient, empathetic, and united. By supporting cultural mediators and the invaluable work they do, we invest in a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.
