Storytelling plays a crucial role in any effective communication strategy. Using stories to move public opinion on an idea or policy is particularly important – and difficult – when that policy area is defined by conflicted narratives. And there is perhaps no area more contested than that of migration policy.
Apolitical hosted a workshop to equip public servants with the storytelling techniques and best-practices necessary to frame narratives around migration in a healthier, more evidence-based direction. This online conversation featured Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and Sunder Katwala.
The recording of the workshop is available here.
ACCESS THE RESOURCES
- Storytelling Course: Enrol in a 60-minute crash course on communications for policymakers (and how to get others interested in your work).
- How To Talk About Immigration: Sunder Katwala, one of our two panelists, published this op-ed which is a great follow-on to Friday’s conversation.
- On the Refugees, Integration & Migration channel, you can find all of Apolitical’s migration-related content.
Things shared
- View the presentation slides here
- Lisa Witter’s book recommendations:
- Don’t Think of an Elephant by George Lakoff
- Wired for Story by Lisa Cron
- https://www.moreincommon.com/publications/ — Case studies from Europe on the public perception of refugees and immigrants, with a focus on the potential impact of positive narratives on people who are undecided on the issue
- https://humanpolicy.weareflint.co.uk/ — How policy experts can use evidence to push back against the rise of political extremes
- https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/germany-refugee-intake-boost-economy-ageing-population-unemployment-a8901161.html/ — How both refugees and immigrants are boosting Germany’s economy