More than 40% of Berliners have a migration history. As our city becomes increasingly diverse — and as public debates around migration become more polarized — the question of how we create spaces for dialogue, participation, and learning becomes ever more important.
Last week, Migration Matters joined the Berliner Landeszentrale für politische Bildung (Berlin State Center for Civic Education)’s networking event on community-oriented civic education. The event brought together educators, community organizations, researchers, and practitioners to exchange ideas on topics ranging from AI and civic education to critical postmigration discourse and community engagement.
As part of the program, our team facilitated a workshop on migration storytelling and narrative change. Together with participants, we explored a question that sits at the heart of much of our work:
How can impactful narrative projects about migration be developed and implemented in different contexts? And what types of narratives can actually shift perceptions and behaviors?
The conversation focused on the role narratives play in shaping how we understand migration and diversity. We discussed different approaches to narrative change — from social media campaigns and digital storytelling to translating complex research into accessible formats that resonate with wider audiences. We also looked at public perception research from More in Common to better understand how Germans think and feel about migration.
A main point of contention centered on narratives of “contribution.” Research suggests that messages emphasizing migrants’ contributions to society — such as filling labor shortages, taking on essential work, or paying taxes — often resonate strongly with the German public. Yet many participants felt uncomfortable with framing migration in primarily utilitarian terms, questioning whether such narratives risk reinforcing the idea that a person’s worth depends on their economic contribution.
Participants also pointed out that these narratives can overlook the structural barriers many migrants face. While public discourse often focuses on whether migrants are contributing enough, the reality is that many people want to work and participate in society but encounter obstacles that make doing so difficult.
This tension led to a broader conversation about one of the central challenges of narrative change work: how to engage with values, concerns, and perceptions that may differ from our own in ways that create opportunities for change without compromising fundamental principles.
One theme that emerged repeatedly was that changing narratives is rarely about a single story or campaign. It is a long-term process that requires understanding public perceptions, collaborating with other actors, and creating opportunities for people to engage with perspectives they may not encounter in their everyday lives.
Thank you to the Berliner Landeszentrale für politische Bildung for creating a space for these conversations, and to everyone who contributed their experiences, questions, and ideas!