Examining the Impact of Storytelling as an Empowerment Tool on the Integration of Adult Refugees into EU Society

As a union whose political system is inspired by the human rights and rule of law as founding values[1], the EU has not only been a hub for prosperity but also a sanctuary for those who seek protection[2].

In that regard, the mass arrival, for example, of Ukrainian refugees since World War II has resulted in a complicated panorama that calls for innovative mechanisms to foster integration[3]. Notably, storytelling, a prehistoric form of communication, has been coined as an imperative instrument for empowerment[4], extraordinarily situated to lubricate the integration of adult refugees into EU society. Refugees, through narrative sessions, can regain their identities, converge cultural dissimilarity, and access resources that support their integration journey.

While being depicted as long-standing modus-operandi that peoples use to uncover their buried baggage, storytelling often propels individuals to share their emotions, customs, and values, thus cultivating connection, which allows refugees to navigate the complexities of their experiences. Illustratively, refugees as survivors of catastrophes usually face uncounted and mostly unrepaired predicaments ranging from identity disruption to post-traumatic stress disorder. Despite the magnitude of these problems, depending on the integration services of the receiving country, refugees can regain and rebuild their lives if put on the holistic humane integration path. For instance, storytelling as one of the integration models, can pave the way for refugees to comprehend their unconscious memories, cultural property, and aspirations, which as a result help reassemble their individuality in a new environment.

In addition to identity reconstruction, storytelling can also aid refugees, especially adults, to embark on a therapeutic journey and discover the consolation that they are not abandoned in their vulnerable circumstances. Finally, the utilization of storytelling as a counselling technique on a macro level can nourish intercultural discourse, consequently positioning the host communities to ostensibly realize the undesirable episode that refugees pass through. This dialogue unequivocally, perhaps thwarting stereotypes and xenophobia, opens the door for cultures that are more inclusive.

In economic realm, storytelling may unlock employment opportunities by sharpening the soft skills which are required in the job market. Therefore, tailoring the storytelling sessions with professional skills is enormously important, as it may not only prepare them for potential employers but also passionate refugees to reformulate their narrative from being a victim to contributors. Storytelling as an inherently social integration process might serve as a springboard between host communities and refugees to establish an indispensable support system that encourages interaction and strengthens friendship beyond cultural variation. As the depth of a person's story provides insight into their cultural heritage, receiving European societies must embrace refugees' stories mainly to accommodate cultural diversity. Considerably, conceptualizing this mutual intercourse can not only urge forward empathy but help alleviate the "us vs other" discourse between refugees and host communities[5]. More importantly, to solidify this circle, educational institutions and organizations that integrate storytelling into their programs must increase further the circumference of these services beyond the limited targets.

As an essential technique that can help adult refugees and migrants on their path to assimilating into EU communities, storytelling is more than just a means of communication. Storytelling can promote cultural exchanges, emotional healing, and reconstruction of identity, which in turn can promote economic, social, and cultural integration. When refugees tell their stories, they foster relations, dispel myths, and create understanding, as projects throughout Europe contribute to show. Societies may build a more inclusive future where each person's story matters by acknowledging the power of personal narratives.

[1] Pech, L. The Rule of Law as a Well-Established and Well-Defined Principle of EU Law. Hague J Rule Law 14, 107–138 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40803-022-00176-8

[2] Crawley, H. (2021). The Politics of Refugee Protection in a (Post)COVID-19 World. Social Sciences, 10(3), 81. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci10030081

[3] Martins, A. I. F. (2023). Securitizing, re-securitizing, or de-securitizing migration? The representation of Ukrainian asylum seekers in The Guardian during the first year of the Russia-Ukraine war [Dissertação de mestrado, Iscte - Instituto Universitário de Lisboa]. Repositório Iscte. http://hdl.handle.net/10071/30487

[4] Speck, D. (2021). Digital Storytelling to Empower Disadvantaged Communities (Doctoral dissertation). https://campus-fryslan.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/63

[5] Ioannou, M., & Panagiotou, E. MIGRATION IN THE GREEK-CYPRIOT PRESS BETWEEN.