Anna Lindh Foundation Malta Network Brings Migrant Voices to the Forefront

“We help migrants tell their own stories, because being heard is the first step to belonging,” said Nazlee Mayhew, African Media Malta’s representative during the Anna Lindh Foundation Malta Network’s national event.

Held on November 29th,  the gathering brought together civil society organisations and academic institutions to reflect on intercultural dialogue and social cohesion.

The event highlighted how communication, sustainability and soft skills enhancement can become a powerful tool for inclusion, particularly for communities that are often underrepresented in public debate.

As part of the Anna Lindh Foundation’s Euro-Mediterranean network, which connects more than 4,500 organisations and is funded by the European Union and its Member States, the Malta Network plays a key role in fostering dialogue across cultural, social and institutional boundaries.

Networking increases our pool of knowledge and our ability to implement projects

Alec Bvumburah, founder of Cross Culture International Foundation (CCIF) and Head of the Anna Lindh Foundation Malta Network, noted that “Networking increases our pool of knowledge and our ability to implement projects, allowing us to share resources and learn from one another.”

Headquartered in Egypt, the Foundation supports initiatives that promote mutual understanding as a response to growing social divisions.

During the event, African Media Association Malta (AMAM) - the Malta Network’s media focal organisation - outlined its role in amplifying migrant voices through podcasts, digital storytelling and media literacy initiatives. By combining media production with personal development programmes such as mentoring, emotional intelligence and soft-skills training, AMAM supports migrants in expressing their lived realities and engaging more confidently with society.

This network allows Universities to engage directly with civil society and listen to experiences we don’t usually hear

Dr Census Caruana, representing the University of Malta’s Centre for Environmental Education and Research also underlined the importance of cross-sector collaboration. “Universities tend to work mainly with other universities,” he noted, “but this network allows us to engage directly with civil society and listen to experiences we don’t usually hear.”

In a global climate marked by polarisation, events like this serve as a reminder that talking to each other is necessary and urgent.