The goal of our project "Shared Visions" is to offer a new representation of migrants and migration through a unique photography exhibition. Young migrants from France and Poland have the opportunity to choose how they wish to be represented, becoming the photographers of their own exhibition.

Target Group The project primarily targets young people with migration backgrounds, living in Pau, France, and Poznań, Poland, aged 18 to 30. Photographers from the Rakonto association accompany them throughout the project to help them set up the exhibition.

Project Outline

1. Photography Training in France: Participants learn the basics and advanced techniques of photography to capture impactful images.

2. Exhibition Preparation Workshops: These workshops allow the youth to conceptualize their exhibition and select the themes and stories they wish to tell.

3. Mobility in Poland to Produce the Exhibition: A study visit to Poland where participants create the photographic content for the exhibition.

4. Postproduction Workshops: Returning to France for photo editing workshops and finalizing the exhibition layout.

5. Exhibition Presentation Events: Organizing events in France and Poland to present the exhibition to the public, local decision-makers, and communities.

Expected Results

6. New Representation of Migrants: Creating an exhibition that offers a different perspective from that often conveyed by Western media.

7. Improved Integration: Strengthening social and cultural ties, facilitating better integration of refugees and migrants.

8. Skills Development: Enhancing participants' skills in photography, visual storytelling, and artistic creation.

9. Community Awareness: Increasing local community awareness of the challenges and realities faced by refugees and migrants.

"Shared Visions" is an initiative that gives a voice to young migrants, allowing them to tell their own stories and contribute to a deeper, more empathetic understanding of migration. Join us on this journey and discover a new vision of migration.

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, 16 young migrants residing in France and Poland gathered in Laroin for the launch of "Shared Visions." This first mobility aimed to teach them the basics of photography and visual storytelling.

With guidance from Rakonto's photography trainers, participants explored a wide range of techniques, from fundamentals like exposure, composition, and editing, to advanced methods like light painting.

The youths also experimented with different photography styles such as nature, portrait, travel, and event photography, working in small groups of two or three. This hands-on experience allowed them to develop their skills while closely collaborating with peers.

The highlight of this session was an initial exhibition where participants showcased their work, demonstrating their progress and creativity.

Lastly, one of the final activities of the week introduced the theme of the final exhibition, focused on the representation of migrants. This marked the beginning of the exhibition's pre-production, a task that would continue in online workshops between the two mobilities, ensuring continuity in their learning and preparation.

Following the training in France, we organized two online workshops aimed at preparing an exhibition to change the representation of migrants in the media.

First Workshop: Personal Representation

The first workshop focused on personal representation through family archives, personal objects, etc. The objective was for participants to represent their own identity through a photo by collecting relevant objects. This exercise prompted them to reflect on the importance of symbols in photography and how these elements can convey aspects of their identity.

Second Workshop: Reflection and Debate

During the second workshop, we conducted a reflection and debate activity. Participants first answered several questions about migration concepts in small groups. Then, we presented an online exhibition containing various media contents on the representation of migrants in the media. After individual exploration of these contents, we discussed the different existing representations, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages.

These workshops enabled participants to develop a deeper understanding of the issues related to the representation of migrants and to prepare thoughtfully and creatively for the final exhibition.

During the mobility phase of this project in Poland, participants focused their efforts on creating the final exhibition. The exhibition, structured into three parts, reflects their collective and individual migration experiences.

The Representation of Migrants in the Media:
At the beginning of the mobility, participants engaged in collage workshops to illustrate how migrants are represented in the media. Using National Geographic magazines, they created collages that reveal the discrepancies and biases in these representations. This activity helped participants analyze and challenge dominant migration narratives.

Our Own Representation of Migrants:
Local participants from Poland played a crucial role by guiding the group to significant locations frequented by migrant communities. These sites included cultural centers, markets, and community hubs. Participants had the opportunity to meet and photograph migrants during activities that highlighted their contributions and dignified presence in the local community. This experience allowed for authentic representation and fostered meaningful interactions and connections.

Personal Representation of Our Own Migrations:
In the final part of the mobility, the group traveled to the serene mountains on the border between Poland and the Czech Republic. This off-grid, natural setting provided a tranquil environment for deep personal reflection. Participants took time to contemplate their individual migration journeys. Once ready, they paired up to photograph each other’s migration stories, transforming personal introspection into a collective artistic process. This collaborative effort ensured that each participant's migration experience was captured through the empathetic lens of a fellow participant.

Following the mobility phase in Poland, we organized two online workshops to finalize the exhibition.

First Workshop: Photo Editing

The objective of the first workshop was to edit the photos selected by the participants. They were guided on the editing tools they had previously used during the mobility in France. Together, they began editing the photos to create artistic coherence in the final project. At the end of the session, participants exchanged feedback on the photos they had time to edit.

Second Workshop: Final Exhibition Design

A few days later, after each participant had time to edit all the photos they wanted, we organized a second workshop. An online shared document was created to design the final exhibition layout. Each participant could create a page representing their personal migration process, adding a description. They could also add photos telling other stories with their descriptions for parts one and two of the exhibition.

These online workshops allowed participants to collaborate effectively, ensure visual and narrative coherence, and finalize the exhibition with a deep sense of community and personal expression.

The next steps of the project involve presenting the "Shared Vision" exhibition in various locations in Pau, France, and Poznan, Poland, between September and December. The exact dates and venues are not yet known but will be provided here once confirmed. We are excited to share the participants' work and stories with a broader audience and continue raising awareness about the experiences and contributions of migrants in our communities.

Our project is a collaboration with Stowarzyszenie Projektow Miedzynarodowych "Logos Polska," a Polish NGO experienced in working with migrants and refugees. Together, we aim to create meaningful connections and lasting impacts in both countries. This project is funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ program.

Looking Back at our Workshops as Part of the Erasmus+ Shared Vision Project!

• April, 18th 2024
• May, 5th 2024
• June, 12th 2024
• December 26-27th 2024

We had the pleasure of hosting 4 amazing workshops, bringing together young people from diverse cultures to explore migration through photography.

These exchanges helped break stereotypes, share experiences, and amplify the voices of those who are often unheard in the media. The goal was to create a space for expression and reflection while strengthening participants' visual storytelling skills.

We are proud to see our participants connect, learn, and grow together around this important cause!