Emna Kanzari is a PhD student in economics and statistics at the University of Palermo. She is one of the newcomers engaged in the Embrace project in Italy.

Why did you decide to participate in Embrace?

I decided to join the Embrace project because I firmly believe in the importance of strengthening the political participation of newcomers. The project provides the opportunity to engage directly with decision makers in order to start a conversation based on mutual listening and exchange, creating a space for finding shared solutions to the different issues. This is a great value, as the chances to talk directly with political representatives are not that high.

How did the training sessions go?

The training pathway was a chance to learn but also to create a safe space for us to share our insights, ideas, concerns. It helped to trigger self-reflection and to understand that, as newcomers, we face the same challenges and experiences. The different sessions and exercise contributed to forge the group’s spirit

How do you think this project will develop in the future?

I hope it will lead to a real change in the way the integration policies are designed, through a real collaboration between authorities and newcomers.