VOICES From Migrations makes an impact in Rosarno!
- @EucA
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
From 14-17 July, over 100 participants gathered in Rosarno, Italy, for the second chapter of VOICES From Migrations, a journey of social awareness and storytelling that gives voice to often-unheard communities.
Continuing the legacy of VOICES' first event in Brussels, the expected follow-up amplified its reach and impact, this time welcoming international university students from over 20 EU countries. The young changemakers gave their all to highlight the power of storytelling and active citizenship, conducting intensive interviews and crafting political proposals to support migrant communities.
Co-funded by the European Union, led by the Municipality of Rosarno, and organized in collaboration with Perrotis College, EucA’s VOICES was a powerful experience where students captured the stories of Rosarno’s migrant community and transformed them into tangible policy ideas to make a lasting impact.
“It was an intense and meaningful experience. Rosarno taught me the power of community, memory, and solidarity. I leave inspired and grateful.”
Building Context and Capacity:
To prepare for the fieldwork, participants engaged in a series of workshops designed to deepen their understanding and sharpen their skills. The first was delivered by Mr. Michelangelo Rosarno, Program Manager at the OASI Association and an expert in migration dynamics with over 25 years of experience. His session provided a detailed overview of the migration situation in Rosarno, offering essential context to better understand the lived realities of the local migrant population.
That same morning, EucA staff led three thematic workshops on Policy Recommendations Writing, Gender Mainstreaming, Content Creation and Video Techniques, equipping students with practical tools for their upcoming interviews and reporting.
Later in the day, students took part in a hands-on training session led by Ms. Iveta Madarova, a Communications expert at the European Parliament’s “My House of European History.” Focusing on interviewing techniques, the workshop covered strategies for crafting meaningful questions and navigating sensitive topics. Under her guidance, students practiced active listening and respectful engagement, key areas to collecting authentic, impactful stories.
A final session on Storytelling Techniques, led by Ms. Giudi Aligi, also from “My House of European History,” helped students learn how to shape raw interviews into clear, compelling narratives.
Fieldwork in Action:
“The interviews were an amazing experience, reminding us how privileged we are. It was a deeply moving procedure, which I will remember for the rest of my life.”
“My experience went from excitement to being amazed by the information that I received to emotional then to empathy. This experience allowed me to see the bigger picture of migrants and learn some of the history of migrants. It was also amazing to make friends from different countries.”
Armed with new knowledge and skills, the students began the next day by fully stepping into their roles as journalists. Dividing into groups, they set off to the different venues to conduct their interviews; an essential moment that allowed them to put everything they had learned into practice. But the experience didn’t end there.
They then collaborated to draft their conclusions, which would be handed over to a dedicated group of participants, the Youth Squad, to shape into policy recommendations. The day ended with the students transforming their interview experiences into written stories, which would then be preserved for future generations on “My House of European History”
A Powerful Closing and a Lasting Message:
The four-day experience culminated on 17 July with a Closing Ceremony, where students presented the results of their work. The event featured exclusive contributions from key political figures who emphasized the importance of youth participation in shaping inclusive societies.
Giuseppina Princi, Member of the European Parliament, highlighted the value of youth engagement in building inclusive societies through a video message prepared exclusively for the final gathering.
Giovanni Arruzzolo, Member of the Italian Parliament, and Maria Stefania Caracciolo, Regional Counselor of Calabria, delivered meaningful speeches on the realities of policymaking while acknowledging the initiative as a model of civic responsibility and intercultural exchange.
Lastly, the Mayor of Rosarno, Pasquale Cutrì, conducted a symbolic and emotional moment as he granted Italian Citizenship to Emmanuel Osei, a man from Ghana and a citizen of Rosarno who arrived in Italy in 2007, and whose story is among the ones digitized by the students.
The Festival highlighted the creativity and commitment of the participants, while giving public space to the personal stories of migrants, emphasizing the importance of memory, diversity, and intercultural dialogue.

The second stop on a larger journey: VOICES From Migrations has expanded on the foundation of its previous event, once again highlighting the power of storytelling in fostering active citizenship and a sense of belonging.
Next destination: Thessaloniki, Greece, on 4-7 September. New stories and new change!
Learn more about VOICES From Migrations here.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.