Belonging Beyond Borders Network

Migration is a natural characteristic of living systems, essential to human survival and the flourishing. And yet, it is widely represented as a problem – an anomaly, and even a crime. This fundamental misalignment between the reality of migration and the limits of our political imagination leads to injustice, violence, division, and stagnation. It produces a politically disenfranchised “other”, and prevents all from benefiting from the vitality that emerges from movement, exchange, and equality. 

In recent years, fear mongering about “the border” and migrants has proven the most effective wedge issue for the far-right resulting in electoral wins and a global entrenchment of this polarizing narrative. While the negative consequences are most severe for those whose very existence is criminalized–migrants, refugees, and racialized people–all efforts for a more pluralistic democracy and just society suffer. 

Developing structures and narratives based on the inherent belonging of all, is the only way forward. This must be done transnationally - beyond the legal architectures and limited imaginations that construct rights as bound to the nation-state. By rooting in belonging, we link anti-migrant politics to all other forms of othering–whether that be around class, race, gender identity, disability, etc.

The network will focus on how to bring a belonging lens to global migration. Currently in its design state, it will be launched in 2025 with a compact, multidisciplinary group of leaders who can develop, amplify narrative and test narratives in their communities, constituencies, and networks.  Our theory of change is rooted in the belief that transformation is actualized by deep trust, shared vision, and relationships across lines of difference. This network will plant the seeds of new thinking and then provide the conditions for them to germinate and disseminate globally, as well as to build enduring relationships that can nourish leaders in their long-horizon work despite increasingly hostile political contexts.