Victoria Salazar Cruz & Riccardo Bettin
From January 24 to 25, VOICIFY’s board and staff convened in Brussels for a strategy meeting marked by collective reflection and prolific, rigorous discussions on the current EU landscape surrounding migration. This gathering was a dedicated moment to look inward and forward. It was a time to solidify our foundation, refine our long-term theory of change, and strategically align our efforts to empower YREMASUD experiences across Europe.
We began by grounding ourselves in our core identity and mission, reaffirming our commitment to a Europe where migration is recognised as an integral part of society, and all young people enjoy equal rights and a sense of belonging. In shaping our direction, we critically examined the challenging political context defined by the rise of far-right narratives, restrictive policies such as the EU Migration Pact, and persistent systemic exclusion.
Eman Albohtori, Board Member: “During the Voicify strategy meeting, we had a space to put all ideas together and create an action strategy plan within different timeframes, short, medium and long term. It was an effective method to analyse the Manifesto’s principles and align them with our visions, practices, and theories”.
A central pillar of our discussion was deepening and articulating our shared Theory of Change. We discussed how real change begins with a fundamental shift in power and resources to those most impacted. Our consensus is clear: transformative change begins by fundamentally shifting power, access to decision-making and resources directly to YREMASUD communities. Our role is to dismantle exclusionary frameworks through capacity building, grassroots mobilisation, and advocacy, rebuilding systems from a foundation of dignity and justice. This theory guides us to engage institutions not for mere recognition, but to demand accountability and structural transformation from a position of strength.
We conducted a thorough analysis of our external landscape and internal capacities that helped us map the political, social and legal challenges, from the rising of far right to hate crimes, while also identifying our strengths like our united community and lived expertise, and areas for growth.
The most visionary part of our agenda was the collective exercise to define “The Europe We Want.” This exercise pushed us to articulate the preconditions necessary for the transformative change we seek. This includes the abolition of border violence, the decriminalisation of movement, institutionalised political power for racialised communities, where media and technology are fair and representative, and where neo-colonial systems are dismantled in favour of solidarity and co-liberation. These ideas are now channelled into our upcoming Manifesto, which will serve as a bold public declaration of this vision.
Syrine Rekhis, President: “I’d been looking forward to this strategy meeting for weeks, and it exceeded my expectations. Almost the entire core team gathered around one table, reflecting, re‑examining our aims and vision, questioning past choices as if we were restarting. I felt as though we were navigating global challenges, then narrowing again, as if we knew where exactly our movement should head. The conversation flowed spontaneously through lunch, bringing in our everyday obstacles and lived migration experiences, mirroring over again why we need this movement. This warmth of presence, thoughts, and emotions, offers something a screen can maybe not replicate, however, not always reproducible within the existing borders”.
This meeting has provided a crucial roadmap. The conversations, analysis, and shared vision have strengthened our collective resolve. As VOICIFY moves forward, the clarity, unity and renewed resolution forged in Brussels will direct our work as we continue to ensure that YREMASUD are not just participants in democracy in Europe, but its architects.
