'Let's have each other's back'
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 By Rikko Voorberg, Director of the Network
Under the snow, the new year is forming. The deep processes of seeds in the Earth that are getting ready to bloom in Spring, that’s the vibe at A World of Neighbours too. Nobody is sitting still, ideas are forming into plans and plans are turning into reality. The Home Group Sessions, AWoN’s backbone, have ended with the year, they are now being evaluated and the Spring Series is planned. We have dates for the Annual Summit in Porto this summer, we are meeting in Brussels in April while YAWoN (Young A World of Neighbours) is gearing up for the next part of their 12-month program and will come out of it with a full blown magazine calling decision-makers to action.
Meanwhile the news is disastrous. Be it Congo, Sudan, the United States, Ukraine, Palestine, Syria - it’s the people that suffer, and we are called and drawn into that suffering with the limited abilities we have. To share the pain, to lend a hand, to speak truth to power and love to those in need. To do what we can, to keep doing what’s needed. Every day, with even more love. And if you run out, don’t hesitate to reach out to each other. Let’s have each other’s back. Beautiful opportunities to do just that are happening in the new year.
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Creating the Learning & Exchange Programme we need |
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Together, let's create a unique AWoN-tailored 2026 L&E programme! We gathered many interesting ideas at the Summit and need you to make them come alive. Come join us on Thursday, January 22nd at 12pm CET for a collective brainstorming session to discuss:
- The best moment(s) in the week
- Inspiring speakers and conversations you will find nowhere but with AWoN
- Formats that work for you
- Smart cooperations to connect and empower our organizations across borders
- The most valuable content for all of us and our networks
Whether you have feedback on past events, more ideas for sessions to share, speakers to put us in touch with, resources in your own organisation to co-organise, or some time to dedicate to supporting the L&E team - bring your lunch and join us!
If you cannot attend but still want to contribute in any way, shoot a message to: crew@aworldofneighbours.org.
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Collecting AWoN Practitioners' Promising Practices
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Whatever one hears about migration in Europe, it’s bad news. But we want to bring good news into the world and share what is working! This is why we are putting together a booklet of A World of Neighbours’ Promising Practices. And we need you! Think about your work with people on the move. What do you think works so well that it would be worth sharing it with others? From something major and political to something minor and personal, we want to hear about all the helpful things you do. Learn more about AWoN’s research team’s call for submissions and contribute to the booklet through this form!
The call is open until February 9th.
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AWoN's Book launch: Brussels, April 2026
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This collection of pieces appears as both an archive of the rise of a unique interfaith European movement of solidarity with and support of people on the move, and a testimony to our faiths and fights, encounters and alliances, challenges and achievements. This is a milestone and a call; a step and a beacon. This is a beginning. Find out more about the book and AWoN research and join us this Spring!
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AWoN's 5th Annual Summit: Porto, September 2026
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Save the date for our most impatiently awaited for event of the year! Our next Annual Summit will mark the fifth anniversary of this gathering - an occasion to reflect on the past years and dream about the next ones. We are very happy to announce it will take place in beautiful Porto, Portugal, between Monday August 31st and Friday September 4th! AWoN practitioners, researchers, partner organizations and donors, we cannot wait to see you all there!
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A World of Neighbours’ mission is to empower migration practitioners through maintaining an interreligious and cross sectoral peer-to-peer support network of practitioners. We foster a “community of practice” among those working on the front lines of accompaniment of people on the move, and social cohesion.
AWoN is the only network of its type - and we need your support to keep up the good work.
Would you consider making a donation to keep us going?
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We're on a mission to support migration practitioners and to expand our community of practice. Subscribe and follow us! |
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Support for AWoN projects was provided by a grant from UMCOR.
Top photo: AWoN Practitioners hugging and smiling at the camera, September 2025. All rights reserved.
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