Paulino José Miguel at the 2nd Africa Forum Baden-Württemberg in Ludwigsburg in autumn 2024 (©CamiloAmayaPhotographer).
For decades, Paulino José Miguel has been committed to the participation of migrants in development policy. Read in the interview how his commitment to migration and development has shaped him and what expectations he has for the future.
Dear Paulino, congratulations on the Federal Cross of Merit and on the recognition of your many years of commitment. You are a specialist promoter for (post-)migrant associations at the Forum der Kulturen Stuttgart eV, networking the industry and actively shaping our intercultural coexistence in Stuttgart, the state and far beyond with your work. You have significantly shaped the understanding of migration and development. What do you think of when we talk about “migration & development”?
When we talk about migration and development, I think first of all about people. I think of the people who are involved in this process. They are people who are not only thinking about themselves, but also about the communities they originally come from and in which they currently live and beyond. These are people who want to keep societies together and not divide them. That is why they are working to improve conditions in their countries of origin and here and around the world.
Thank you for the context. Can you give us an insight into what's coming up this year?
We have a lot planned for this year. One point remains the announcement and exchange of our position paper with impulses for action on the special position of (post-)migrant engagement in the development policy funding landscape. There is great interest in this - we have received numerous inquiries from various actors.
We are also working on an expert paper in which we would like to specifically involve migrant experts from various institutions. Especially now that migration has become an increasingly sensitive issue - a development that I view with concern - a clear, strong position is needed. Our goal is to promote social cohesion and strengthen our democracy.
What expectations do you have of organizations like the SEZ and also of politicians to promote (post-)migrant engagement in development work? What role do you see the SEZ playing?
Organisations such as the SEZ and politicians play a crucial role in promoting (post-)migrant engagement. Important progress has been made in recent years, but there is still much to be done.
The SEZ has already implemented numerous projects that strengthen (post-)migrant actors. One example is the Africa Forum, which was supported and coordinated by the SEZ from the outset not only financially but also organizationally. The Baden-Württemberg State Ministry also supports our work - for example through the migrant development policy network, in which state officials and even State Secretary Rudi Hoogvliet actively seek exchange with migrants.
I hope that the SEZ will continue down this path and convince even more foundations and organizations to specifically promote the commitment of (post-)migrant initiatives. This support should reach as many people as possible in order to have a lasting impact.
What do you wish for next year in terms of your work and commitment?
For the coming year, I hope that the recognition of my commitment will be extended to other people with a migration background - in particular through stronger support for projects initiated by and for (post-)migrant communities. Another important goal is to anchor people with a migration background more firmly in key positions, such as committees and boards of umbrella organizations. Their presence and participation at these levels are essential to make their perspectives more visible and to drive structural change.
What does the official recognition of your work through the Federal Cross of Merit mean to you?
For me, the official recognition of my work is also an appreciation of the commitment of all (post-)migrant actors. I see myself merely as a mediator, as a voice for all those people with a migration background who work for the common good every day.
I accepted the Federal Cross of Merit on behalf of all of them – for those who often remain invisible but who play a key role in shaping our society through their work.
Thank you for your time and your tireless commitment to an open society!