People have always moved: to seek safety, reconnect or rebuild community, or live with freedom and dignity. These journeys will continue. But across Europe, the response is increasingly shaped by fear and deterrence. For many, the only remaining option is to risk everything.
As the financial year draws to a close and conversations focus on budgets and funding, we at RSE believe it is vital to centre our ‘why’, to constantly reflect on our values, and to never lose sight of the people behind the numbers. In recent days, at least seven people died when a boat capsized off the coast of Cyprus; a woman who survived had to let go of her child in the water. Two more lives were lost during an attempt to cross the Channel to the UK. These tragedies are completely avoidable, the direct result of a system that blocks safe routes and punishes movement.
In our Dignity Centres, we meet people who have made these journeys. Some have walked across borders. Some have survived the sea. Many are rebuilding from scratch, often in unfamiliar places, without the legal right to work and with little access to essentials.
One member told us, “When I arrived, I had nothing. Now I feel like I am part of a community. People here see me as a person, not a problem.” Another said, “I lost everything when I fled my country. But here, I found people who treat me with respect. That gives me strength.”
These voices reflect what is possible when people are met with welcome instead of suspicion.
We are proud to be part of United Against Inhumanity’s collective campaign, which brings together organisations, campaigners and academics to put pressure on European governments and institutions to reform the border regime and practices, and to stop the inhumanities experienced by people on the move. As Dr. Jeff Crisp outlines in his recent piece, we need policies grounded in protection and responsibility, not deterrence and delay.
So, whilst we continue to be asked about value for money and plan for the months ahead, we wanted to take a moment to pause: to pay our respects to those who have lost their lives and loved ones in the pursuit of safety.
For us at RSE the true value of our work is found in the voices of our members. We continue to live out our values of dignity, solidarity and community in our Centres, spaces of welcome that keep people going when systems fail them.
