Building peace in the minds of men and women

10th UNESCO Youth Forum

Olivia De Dreuzy

“Despite a generalized anti-refugee sentiment, millions of volunteers have stepped up to welcome refugees and migrants into their communities. This grassroots solidarity may not have always been so visible, but it has been a valuable counterweight to negative public perceptions in host communities.”
 
“Cultural exchange is an important tool for enabling refugee and host communities to translate each other’s cultural identify in ways that words cannot. Sharing aspects of one’s heritage is a vector of experience, customs and history and can nurture a true sense of belonging within communities.”
 
“My work focuses on exhibition works by migrant and refugee artists, which I think is a great way to encourage people to overcome language barriers and express their creative voice. It is also a way for host communities to actively support the professional development and well-being of migrants and refugee artists.”