Children quizzed a migration expert about the polarisation of Britain.
Students from Peacehaven Community School, Blatchington Mill and Roedean attended the talk with Dr Bashair Ahmed, research associate at the University of Sussex’s Sussex Centre for Migration Research.
The talk, part of the school’s Black History Month series, revealed concerns among the children about the discord surrounding migration in the UK, especially in the city.
Dr Ahmed explained to the pupils that tensions regarding migration were a global issue as the “othering” of people became common, and migrants were increasingly targeted — even in a diverse community like Brighton, which is home to speakers of approximately 108 languages.
She told them: “Humans have always been on the move, and countries need that.
“Look at Japan, where not enough children are being born, and there is going to be a need for 11m workers by 2040. They need migration.
“In Brighton and Hove, three primary schools have closed because not enough children live in the city.”
However, she also acknowledged the difficulties faced by the country.
She said: “But there has been a hollowing out of services that has taken its toll.
“The cost of living has increased, and people are struggling to just buy the basics.
“Some people need to find someone to blame for this, and that becomes migrants.”
Dr Ahmed also pointed out the negative impact of certain government policies and rhetoric on migrants, adding that such messages would have been unacceptable in the past.
She encouraged the students to communicate and engage with those they disagree with.
She said: “Challenge the narrative and use your voice to be an ally.
“Keep talking to people you disagree with because once you shut someone down, you are othering them as well. You have to listen to concerns and opinions you don’t like.”
Ending her talk on a hopeful note, she told the students that they were the future, with the power to change the world.
She said: “Yes, now is a time of turmoil but don’t be paralysed.
“Keep working for the change you want and having dialogue with everyone to work to bring that about.”
