Between borders and embraces

reading, writing, and living together with refugees and migrants

Abstract

This article describes an outreach experience carried out within the course “Human Rights Education and Citizenship” in the Language and Literature program at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, in partnership with the project “Reading and Writing for Refugees and Migrants”, which aimed to teach Portuguese as a welcoming language for migrants and refugees. The study encompassed a participatory needs assessment and pedagogical intervention, considering university outreach as a space for dialogue between the university and the community. The needs assessment was conducted through an online questionnaire completed by seven participants, aiming to identify perceptions regarding the welcoming process, language learning, and social integration. The results showed that the actions were well evaluated, but they also pointed to problems regarding linguistic barriers and the need to expand spaces for listening and interaction. As part of the intervention, the podcast Between Borders and Embraces was developed collectively as an educational resource and a space to share migrant stories. It is concluded that the articulation between human rights education and university outreach reinforces inclusive practices, fosters a sense of belonging, and enriches educational experiences, making them more sensitive to cultural and linguistic diversity.