Encountering the ‘Other’

“Don’t judge – everyone has a story”.

Perhaps it is a phrase that we have often heard in different contexts, mostly because it is stating the obvious. Everyone has a past and went through hurdles, although some went through unthinkable pains to get where they are today. In this case, these are the words of a person who is living in Malta after having had to flee his home. His message resonates what we often hear from people who we encounter in our work at the Jesuit Refugee Service.

Malta is a small country. Family connections are strong, neighbours are treated as friends rather than mere acquaintances, and deep, close ties are formed within the local community. This is the context in which people enter, as they arrive on our shores looking for a better life and protection in Malta. Understandably, communities may feel overwhelmed by changing neighbourhoods, new faces and different ways of living.

We all tend to put people in boxes, based on the information we have garnered from our life experience, and the experience of our communities. Whenever we hear about, or meet someone who does not fit neatly into these boxes, we are tendentially weary of them, and often take a step back until we are comfortable, causing a divide.

We might make judgements based on what we have experienced or heard about nationality, race, religious beliefs and so on. Our views might mirror those of the people around us, further widening the gap between ‘us and them’. Before we know it, we are afraid of the ‘other’. All of this before we have ever met, encountered and attempted to know more.

The unfortunate truth is that racism, fear, and discrimination in Malta are on the rise and refugees remain one the most vulnerable groups in this regard. We read multiple news items about people who are seeking protection in Malta, and how they have been mistreated, discriminated against and in some cases, even physically harmed. Some people strive to reject ‘others’, whose difference instils a sense of insecurity and fear.

The antidote? Encounter.

Rather than giving into our fear and widening the divide, we slowly and wearily inch towards meeting each other. Getting to know about our differences, but also our similarities and shared interests.

Our experience of facilitating the moments of encounter points to this: we are all human beings, and we all share ambitions, fears and the dream of a decent life. When we meet, share with and listen to each other, perhaps it becomes possible for us to begin living this journey together.

Today, the Church is celebrating World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The theme Pope Francis has chosen for this day is Towards an ever wider “We”. Pope Francis’ message highlights the “importance for being attentive to the entire human family through an inclusive Church that reaches out and is capable of creating communion in diversity.” There is no denying that communities are becoming more diverse. There is, therefore, a greater need to create these spaces of encounter, providing the opportunity for local communities and refugees to overcome the fear of the ‘other’.

An integral part of our mission at JRS is to facilitate the process of reconciliation and integration, by creating spaces of encounter. Migration is not always a choice; for some people it is a necessity based on life-or-death situations.

Encounters with people and their stories put a very real face to the stories we read, and the statistics in the news. Through these encounters, we learn more than just stories about the journeys of refugees. We exchange experiences, a wholesome and unique picture of the experiences communicated by each and every individual.

‘Dying To Live’, a book recently launched by Danielle Vella, depicts this clearly.

In light of this need for encounter, JRS Malta is currently working on implementing two projects with this aim. The first project, Learning Human Stories, a project funded by the Active Citizens Fund, has been developed for Parish communities. CHANGE, on the other hand, is a European project which specifically caters towards children and youth in schools. The aim of these projects is to create these opportunities for encounter, raising awareness and fostering critical thinking skills about migration and refugee issues. In the words of a student who participated in CHANGE, “you never really know until you’ve met someone”.

Today, on World Day of Migrants and Refugees, let us start by reflecting on our life experiences, challenging our fear, and choosing to be more open to encounter with the other. Let us choose to live our lives with a more open mind and open heart to create a safer community, where all people can belong.

For those interested in the JRS outreach projects, please contact the JRS Outreach Coordinator Mariosa Caruana on mariosa@jrsmalta.org.

Photo by: Kristóf Hölvényi