Project Summary
The project “reCREATE healthy narratives to tackle fake news” aims to fight misinformation on migration in Europe by cross-sectoral cooperation between 7 partner countries. Thanks to the innovative approach of participatory-video, the project raises awareness and engages young people, allowing them to create original and different narratives about migration and counter misinformation.
Context
The COVID-19 crisis has revealed how harmful the fake-news phenomenon can be, but it is not the only wake-up call. Several studies confirm that the public perception of migration in Europe is far from reality. The climate of tension and intolerance experienced in recent years concerning migration and the public perception of the phenomenon is partly the result of insufficient information on the subject or relatively complete misinformation. Stereotypical and trivial migration speeches are rampant on social networks; this risks taking root for those who most use new media: young people. To try and fix this issue in 2018, the European Commission outlined an Action Plan to step up efforts to counter disinformation in Europe. Between the actions designed by the Plan, there are awareness-raising activities linked to media literacy and technology literacy. Inspired by the European guidelines, the reCREATE project established an integrated strategy that includes research and creative solutions to fight the migration phenomenon’s disinformation. Acquiring creative skills, such as video-making and developing creative thinking, is the basis for finding solutions to face difficult moments such as the historical one we are living through
Objectives
The project’s overall objective is to counter misinformation about migration through the engagement of young people.
The specific objectives are:
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To increase creative skills.
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To encourage critical thinking and young people’s spirit of initiative regarding misinformation and migration.
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To foster media literacy among young people.
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To enhance awareness on migration.
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To provide young people with video-making essential competencies.
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To create new migration narratives by using the participatory-video method.
Participants
The direct participants will be young people between 20 and 29 years old.
The project is carried out by a partnership whose strength is diversity, involving public associations and social enterprises. The participating organizations come from 7 countries, among the most involved in the migration phenomenon: Irland, Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, Romania, France. In particular: Champions Factory Irland, Progeu – Progress in European Union, Roes Cooperativa, EBB – Europass Berlin Beratungsbüro, Asociación SEI – Servicio Socioeducativo Intercultural, Scout Society, Association Hexagonale l’Innovation Sociale et de l’Education.
Main Activities
After initial country-field research on misinformation and migration, the reCREATE partnership will focus its action towards the development of an e-learning course about media literacy and technology literacy, aimed to develop essential competencies to verify information, understand digital communication and enhance critical thinking. Afterward, the project provides blended mobility of youth aimed to acquire video-making skills to develop alternative narratives using creative tools. The combined mobility foresees a virtual part of mobility. Participants will be provided with the basic video-making skills and a physical one, where they develop a participatory video. By using this inclusive and innovative methodology, the young participants will create alternative narratives that will go beyond stigmatization and misinformation.
Methodology
Both formal and informal methodologies will be expected to be used. The country-field research will be done with a qualitative and quantitative methodology exploration. The learning activities will be carried out with non-formal and participatory approaches. Particularly innovative will be the use of the participatory-video methodology which is used to empower individuals and communities.
Expected Results and Impacts
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An increase of young people empowerment and engagement
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A country-field research on misinformation and migration
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A E-learning course on media literacy and technology literacy
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A blended mobility of youth
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An increased capability to verify fake- news
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An improvement of young people’s critical thinking and media literacy competencies.
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The development of video-making basic skills
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A participatory video to create original narratives to tell the migration phenomenon.
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An increase of awareness about the migration issues.
Longer-Term Benefits
In the long-term, the reCREATE project expects to have a better-informed youth, generating a sustainable increase of critical thinking, awareness actions, and creative problem solutions.
Main Activities
Thanks to the innovative approach of participatory video, the project raises awareness and engages young people, allowing them to create original and different narratives about migration and counter misinformation.
The purpose of the video is the get the perspective of migrants on why they do and how migrating has expanded their choices of a better life and increased their chances of success. The video highlight and implies that spreading fake news about migrants will impede their chances of living a better life. For instance, it has been said that migrants take locals’ jobs when they migrate, which is fake news. When you spread this information, you make it difficult for migrants to get jobs and live better lives. So the video highlight that migrants move for better lives, and when we spread false news about them, we impede their chances of success in their new homes. The video implores all to treat migrants as equals and see them as a crucial part of the development, not as competitors.
