Project

Experiences of loneliness amongst newly-arrived adolescent migrants in Flanders: Creating more visibility and understanding

Code
BOF/MVF/202402/024
Duration
01 June 2024 → 31 May 2025
Funding
Regional and community funding: Special Research Fund
Research disciplines
  • Social sciences
    • Race and ethnic relations
    • Sociology of education
    • Sociology of family
    • Sociology of health
  • Medical and health sciences
    • Public health sciences not elsewhere classified
Keywords
Reception education Newly-arrived minors Loneliness
 
Project description

This proposal outlines two key initiatives aimed at addressing the prevalent issue of loneliness among newly-arrived adolescent migrants in Flanders, Belgium, leveraging insights from the ongoing Red Nose project. Firstly, a graphic narrative will be developed to depict the experiences of loneliness among newly-arrived adolescent migrants based on in-depth interviews. Through visual storytelling, this initiative seeks to raise awareness, foster empathy, and reduce stigma surrounding loneliness among various target groups, including staff in secondary (reception) education, organizations interacting with migrant youth, and the newly-arrived adolescent migrants themselves. Secondly, an implementation guide will be developed collaboratively with reception education teachers to facilitate the integration of the graphic narrative into a classroom discussion on loneliness. Activities within the guide will encourage students to explore themes introduced in the narrative, fostering open dialogue and the normalization of these experiences. Upon completion, the materials will be strategically disseminated with the chosen target groups. These initiatives aim to not only raise awareness but also provide practical tools for addressing loneliness among newly-arrived adolescent migrants, contributing to their social wellbeing and integration.