nccr – on the move 96d ago

How do media and political narratives shape the way migration is understood? This episode explores how migration is framed in public debate, why certain stories gain traction over others, and how those narratives influence public perception and policy. It also looks at what mayors and city leaders can do to foster more balanced, grounded, and fact-based conversations about migration. Guests: Didier Ruedin, Senior Researcher, University of Neuchâtel https://druedin.com/publications.html Caroline Twigg, City and Partner Lead, Mayors Migration Council https://mayorsmigrationcouncil.org/people/caroline-twigg/ Host and editorial production: Julia Litzkow, Knowledge Transfer Officer, nccr – on the move https://nccr-onthemove.ch/people/litzkow/ Audio production: RebelMango https://rebelmango.com/ Recording date: 19 November 2025 Learn more: nccr – on the move research project https://nccr-onthemove.ch/projects/narratives-of-crisis-and-their-influence-in-shaping-discourses-and-policies-of-migration-and-mobility/ Mayors Migration Council https://mayorsmigrationcouncil.org/ Disinformation in the City Response Playbook https://www.gmfus.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/Disinformation%20in%20the%20City%20RESPONSE%20PLAYBOOK.pdf A Communications Guide for Advancing Balanced and Effective Public Safety Approaches https://peaceinourcities.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/v7-en-Tackling-the-False-Dilemma-PiOC.pdf With special thanks to: Bettina Etter and colleagues at the City of Zurich Andrés Felipe Segura at Bogotá City Hall Video chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Migration Narratives 01:01 Meet the Experts: Didier Ruedin and Caroline Twigg 02:57 Research Project: How Migration Narratives Evolve Over Time and Contexts 05:47 Migration Narratives at the City vs National Level 07:12 The Importance of Migrant Voices in the Debate 08:58 Challenges that Local Leaders Face When Talking About Migration 13:23 Why Narratives Stick and How Cities Can Shape Them 16:50 The Real-World Impact of Migration Narratives 18:48 Key Learnings from Approaches of Cities and from Research 22:37 Concluding Thoughts and Takeaways Audio credits (intro clips): Mayor Michelle Wu – Congressional testimony (March 5, 2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtBLuuylv7c Mayor Mike Johnston – State of the City Address Denver (2025) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nk0Nbeb1WYc Mayor Yvonne Aki‑Sawyerr – TEDx Talk on climate migration (2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO7jzTl5ztc&t=64s Former Mayor Marvin Rees – Euronews State of the Union interview (2023) https://mayorsmigrationcouncil.org/news/marvin-rees-grf-interview/