Bath Welcomes Refugees hosted the second Beyond Bath event: Understanding the Venezuelan Refugee and Migrant Crisis.
Bath Welcomes Refugees (BWR) recently hosted its second Beyond Bath event at the Good Living Centre of St John’s Foundation on 31 October.
The focus was on understanding the Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis, caused not by war, but by political and economic collapse, which has forced over 7 million Venezuelans to seek refuge beyond their borders.
Over 15 people came together for an evening dedicated to raising awareness of the Venezuelan migration crisis and encouraging local action to support refugees and migrants.
Panellists included international development specialist Adriana Pepe, human rights defender and lawyer Alfredo Félix, researcher and lawyer Alejandro Álvarez, and Beyond Bath facilitator Andrea Dos Anjos. Together, they shared their perspectives on one of the world’s largest mass migrations in history, caused not by war, but by political and economic collapse, which has forced over 7 million Venezuelans to seek refuge and new opportunities beyond their borders.
The Venezuelan refugee crisis has transformed the region, with over 5 million Venezuelans now living in 17 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. Many migrants are travelling on foot with only a few personal belongings, facing uncertainty and often leaving families, communities and loved ones behind. Others are moving to reunite with them.
The panellists shared authentic stories as Venezuelans who have been affected by the crisis. Alfredo Félix discussed the origins of the crisis and its devastating impact on everyday life. Alejandro Álvarez presented his work on the vulnerabilities faced by Venezuelan migrants, including exploitation and modern slavery. Adriana Pepe detailed the main challenges faced both in Venezuela -such as corruption and lack of basic services- and outside the country where migrants navigate complex paperwork, housing, employment difficulties, and the cultural adaptation needed to settle into host countries. Together, the panellists reflected on possible future scenarios for Venezuela, expressing hope for a brighter, more stable future for their home.
The audience engaged in a lively discussion on steps that local communities can take to support migrants and refugees, exploring ways to create a more welcoming and inclusive society.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce the next Beyond Bath Talk, which will take place on Thursday 16 January and can be booked on Eventbrite http://bit.ly/3AJ2j62
We look forward to another opportunity to shape the narrative of migration.
Some useful resources about the Venezuelan situation:
- Report of the independent international fact-finding mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela* (Advance unedited version) (A/HRC/57/57) – Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) | ReliefWeb
- Venezuela crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help | World Vision
- The road to modern slavery from vulnerability to exploitation