Migration Communication Strategies: Effective Approaches to Depolarise the Debate

Programme Description

In many countries around the world, public discourse around migration is highly polarised. In this context, it becomes increasingly more difficult to discuss about this phenomenon without being accused of spreading fake news or provoking heated debates. As a result, there is growing uncertainty about what type of communication strategies are most effective in providing accurate information and changing popular attitudes towards migrants and people on the move.

This executive training will develop and strengthen the participants’ communication skills around migration. It will do so in two ways. First, it will discuss original data and research on the factors that shape how people perceive and react to migration and what effects those have on society. Second, it will apply these factors to migration communication campaigns, explaining what strategies have been found to be most effective to engage the audience and how recent developments in digital technology have changed the ways migration is communicated.

In its 4^th edition, this training will combine the perspective of academic researchers with the experience of policymakers and advisors working for governments and civil society organisations. Participants will work together to identify and understand some of the key challenges and good practices of migration communication and will apply scientific evidence to real-life migration communication strategies.

For the detailed schedule, final lineup of speakers, and overview of learning activities please consult the tentative programme agenda.

Download the EUI Executive Education catalogue and receive updates on executive training courses offered by the Florence School of Transnational Governance.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this programme, the participants will be able to:

• Effectively communicate with concerned citizens about the causes and effects of migration and immigration/integration policies;
• Construct communication strategies that foster social cohesion to tackle discrimination, disinformation, and hate speech;
• Understand and incorporate insights about attitudes to migration and about the impact of underlying factors influencing how people think and feel about migration;
• Comprehend the role of facts and evidence in migration debates, as well as their shortcomings.
  
  

Learning methods

• Knowledge transfer sessions led by academics, policymakers, and communication advisers with significant experience in the field;
• Active exchange in interactive training sessions and group work activities that are focused on the interpretation of opinion data, and that address the main challenges posed by the current migration debate;
• Case studies analysis based on real-life migration campaigns and communication strategies.
  
  

Who should attend

• Migration officers / civil servants working on migration and asylum policy;
• Political consultants working on migration management;
• Professionals working in international organisations and NGOs in the field of migration, asylum, and refugee protection;
• Journalists and communication professionals who want to learn more about migration, asylum, and refugee protection;
• Academics or other individuals aiming to acquire migration management skills.