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W-Star
A two-year transnational project coordinated by the Mediterranean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) in partnership with us, New Women Connectors from the Netherlands, COSPE from Italy, and MoveGlobal from Germany.
Between Policy and Lived Experience: Migrant and Refugee Women's Perspectives on the EU Migration Pact
27 May 2026
Bak, Utrecht, The Netherlands
About the Event
On 27 May 2026, New Women Connectors organised a transnational symposium exploring the impact of the EU Migration Pact on migrant and refugee women and gender-diverse communities.
The event brought together migrant and refugee women, civil society organisations, community actors, and allies to reflect on the realities behind migration policies and to create space for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collective action.
Through discussions and interactive workshops, participants explored the gendered dimensions of migration policy, the importance of lived experience in shaping policy conversations, and the role of storytelling and narrative change in challenging harmful representations of migration and displacement.
The symposium created a space to connect policy discussions with the experiences of those directly affected, while exploring ways to strengthen solidarity, resistance, and meaningful participation.
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Programme
The event opened with a welcome and introduction to the day's discussions, setting the stage for conversations about the experiences of migrant and refugee women and the implications of the EU Migration Pact.
Workshop 1: Unpacking the EU Migration Pact
Facilitator: Sandra Alloush
This workshop explored the EU Migration Pact and its potential impact on migrant and refugee women.
Participants examined the gendered dimensions of migration and asylum policies and reflected on how policy decisions can affect women's safety, rights, access to protection, and opportunities to participate in society.
The workshop created space for participants to connect policy-level discussions with lived experiences and to consider how the implementation of the Pact may affect different communities.
Workshop 2: Narrative Change Around Harmful Migration Narratives & Resistance Tactics
Facilitators: Clara Saliba and Alejandro Navarrete Cortés
This creative and interactive workshop explored the power of storytelling, visual communication, and language in shaping public perceptions of migration and migrant and refugee women.
The workshop was divided into two complementary sessions, combining visual storytelling with the power of words and slogans.
Visual Storytelling with Clara Saliba
Participants explored the history of storytelling and how stories have evolved across different forms of communication, connecting traditional storytelling with the power of visual storytelling today.
The session invited participants to critically examine how the media represents migration and migrant and refugee communities. Through practical examples, participants explored how images, visual choices, and different forms of representation can influence the way audiences perceive people and issues.
The workshop also looked at the psychology behind the use of colours and how colour choices can influence emotions, perceptions, and the messages communicated through an image. Participants were introduced to practical tools and creative techniques that enabled them to develop their own visual messages and create posters that could challenge dominant narratives and offer alternative perspectives.
The Power of Slogans with Alejandro Navarrete Cortés
Participants explored the power of words and the role that slogans can play in social movements, public debates, and collective action.
Looking at well-known examples of movement slogans, including "Black Lives Matter" and "From the River to the Sea," participants reflected on how a few carefully chosen words can communicate complex ideas, mobilise people, create a sense of solidarity, and become powerful symbols within wider social and political movements.
The session encouraged participants to think critically about the meaning, context, and power behind slogans and to consider how language can challenge dominant narratives and reshape public conversations.
The workshop concluded with a creative exercise in which participants developed their own slogans, drawing on the themes and experiences discussed throughout the session. By combining the power of words with visual storytelling, participants created their own messages and explored how they could actively contribute to more inclusive, balanced, and empowering representations of migration and migrant and refugee women.
Key themes
Connecting Policy with Lived Experience
The symposium highlighted the importance of ensuring that migration policies are informed by the experiences of the people most directly affected by them.
Recognising Gendered Experiences
Migration and asylum policies do not affect everyone in the same way. The discussions explored the specific challenges and experiences faced by migrant and refugee women and gender-diverse communities.
Challenging Harmful Narratives
The event examined the ways in which dominant narratives around migration can contribute to stereotypes, exclusion, and discrimination, and explored how alternative narratives can help create more inclusive public conversations.
Building Solidarity and Resistance
Participants reflected on the importance of collective action, solidarity, and community-led approaches in responding to harmful policies and narratives.
Meaningful Participation
The symposium emphasised the importance of creating spaces where migrant and refugee women can actively participate in discussions and decisions that affect their lives and communities.
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W-STAR is a project running from September 2024 to September 2026. It is led by The Mediterannean Institute of Gender Studies (MIGS) in partnership with New Women Connectors, COSPE and moveGlobal.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
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