Shaping Public Attitudes Towards Refugees - The Role of the Media and the Arts
WORKING GROUP / DISCUSSION PANEL
Athens International Conference “Theatre/Drama & Inclusive Education”
Athens 23 March 2025
Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (TENet-Gr)
Language: English
Coordinator: Stella Nanou, Head of Communications, UNHCR Greece
Guests:
Andreas Gruhn, Αrtistic Director, Stadt Theatre Dortmund, Μember of the Coordinating Committee of the "Theatre Makes Politics" project, Germany
Giorgos Pleios, Professor, Department of Communication and Media Studies, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Yolanda Markopoulou, Director, producer of the 'WALK with Amal" project in Greece
Fridoon Joinda, Founder and Director of Joinda Production, Refugee Rights Advocate, Afghanistan
Naya Kalfeli, Adjunct Lecturer - Media Research Fellow, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki / University of Western Macedonia, Greece
Gelly Aroni, member of the Board of Network for Children’s Rights, Greece
Commentators:
Jenny Karaviti, theatre pedoagogue (TENet-Gr)
Garyfallia Anastasopoulou, Racist Violence Recording Network, Greece
This Working Group will explore how media and artistic expression influence perceptions of refugees in the public discourse. The discussion will delve into the immense power of narratives to shape attitudes—both positively, by fostering empathy and understanding, and negatively, by perpetuating stereotypes and misinformation. Participants will share insights, strategies, and best practices for ensuring ethical and impactful representations that contribute to a more informed, inclusive and compassionate public discourse.
Main questions to be discussed:
- How do current media narratives shape public attitudes toward refugees?
- What tools or approaches can effectively combat misinformation, disinformation and hate speech?
- In what ways can the arts foster empathy and understanding for refugee experiences?
- How can we ensure that refugee voices remain central to the stories being told about them?
- What are the risks of oversimplification or stereotyping in media and artistic representations?
- How can partnerships between artists, media professionals, and NGOs enhance representation?