Being here

Acknowledgements

Most recently I was invited to join the board of Belong Aotearoa which enables me to collaborate with fellow migrants to effect system change so that more of us reach a stage of belonging here. This is one of two pieces dedicated to reflections on migration journeys, which integrates my experience with the thinking of others.

Most influentially I have benefitted from an authentic cultural exchange with TePā a kaupapa Māori organisation providing reintegration and social services who are either in the justice system, exiting the system, or are returning from overseas.

Most passionately no one has rolled out a bigger mat than Marcus Powell . The potential of our collaboration through WithIN NATURE shines a light towards true belonging.

This piece is based on insightful conversations with a thought leader in this space Rahel Kassahun, Ph.D. who was introduced to me by my cofounder Emmanuel Ande Ivorgba, PhD .

Introduction

Migration represents one of the most ancient practices of humanity. It is a testament to our inherent desire for exploration, survival, and development. From the indigenous Ethiopian perspective, this practice is more than just movement; it's an embodiment of the human being. As a journey, this develops through Being, Becoming, and Belonging - three interconnected phases that encapsulate the human experience and our perpetual quest for purpose and place. As professionals consider relocating to New Zealand, these concepts offer a unique lens through which to understand and navigate the complexities of such a journey.

I was in Ethiopia five years ago, relocating as a mid-career professional in 2020, and now starting my fifth year. The end of the beginning is the foundation of being.

In sharing my journey, it is vital to distinguish between the deeply personal experiences that have shaped my understanding and the universal truths about migration, belonging, and the fight against colonial legacies. While my story is unique, the challenges and revelations encountered echo a broader human experience, transcending individual narratives. This universal aspect underpins the struggle for identity and belonging amidst cultural displacement, a phenomenon many can relate to, irrespective of their origin or destination.

Being: The Foundation

In the context of relocation, "Being" is the initial state of existence that precedes the migration process. It encompasses your roots, culture, and the essence of who you are in your native or settled environment. For Ethiopians, this stage is deeply tied to the land, community, and the collective history that shapes individual identity. These unbreakable links are at the heart of indigenous culture globally. What is unbreakable in principle, can be torn in practice. The decision to migrate, therefore, is not merely logistical but existential, requiring individuals to reconcile what they leave behind with what lies ahead.

I left my native land in 2010 making a permanent break in 2012. A decade later, my foundations were challenged again, and this motivated my migration to Aotearoa, New Zealand. Another challenge to the sense of self includes the yearning for what is given up - family, community, familiarity. Yet through this yearning, we discover a deeper understanding of our agency. This becomes a profound recognition of the need to seek out new ways to "be" that are true to your core, yet open to transformation. Yes, radical relocation might be about reinventing yourself.

I didn't expect to face discrimination and prejudice but did. This slowed and hindered my ability to be, like laying foundations in the rain. "Just" being can be comfortably numb in the moment, but impoverishing if stretched out over time, because it feels like a state of limbo. New growth, and the potential of "becoming", are crucial. To maximise my self-determination, reinvention was needed as recalibration was draining my resilience.

Becoming: The transition

A powerful assertion of self-determination is required to go beyond mere recalibration to the new place and involves a profound reinvention. This is where the self is not just adapting but fundamentally transforming in response to external pressures. The act of "becoming" is an affirmation that despite the challenges faced, your identity and potential are owned and defined by you alone.

Belonging is an act of self-affirmation and resilience. It is a period of transition characterised by adaptation, learning, and growth. For the professional migrant, it involves not only adjusting to a new job and career challenges but also navigating a different cultural landscape and forming new social connections. This phase is about exploring the potential to become a new aspect of your true self. This is why you moved.

The concept of "becoming" resonates with the Ethiopian ethos of growth through change. It acknowledges the discomfort and challenges of adapting as necessary for personal evolution. Collectively, this is how we evolved. Professionals embarking on this journey are encouraged to embrace these changes, viewing them as opportunities to discover new facets of their identity and capabilities.

The fifth-year feels like the balance is shifting to becoming, moving beyond why we came, to how we will grow here.

Belonging: The destination

Belonging represents the culmination of the migration journey, and perhaps at a massive scale, our human evolution, notwithstanding how this can be interrupted by external forces. This is the phase when individuals find their place in the setting, having forged connections that resonate with their being, and enabled them to settle in balance. In New Zealand, the Māori concept of "whakawhanaungatanga" emphasises developing relationships and interconnectedness. This evolves through these phases.

Achieving a reality of belonging is the promise of migration's most powerful reward; a feeling and sense of integration that is both profound and transformative. It signifies an adaptation to a new environment and a realignment of the self within a wider tapestry of cultures and experiences.

There is no guarantee. Just as disruption to a sense of belonging displaces people, some will be displaced on the way. It has been important for me to find and be part of building communities that recognise and celebrate diversity, inclusivity, and the unique contributions of every culture and person.

The Paradox of Perception

That wasn't enough. Years of working to overcome colonial mindsets and behaviours, only to be confronted by stereotypes and prejudices that perceive one as the epitome of colonialism. This underscores the complex interplay of identity, perception, and discrimination. Deeply ingrained biases and xenophobia can distort authentic self-expression and intentions of individuals striving to engage respectfully.

The misalignment between self-perception and societal reception that most migrants experience, emphasises the enduring shadows cast by historical injustices and the ways they continue to shape interactions in the present. A reception - marked by suspicion, prejudice, and a reduction of identity to stereotypes - serves as a poignant reminder of barriers to authentic self-expression. In a setting where humility and learned perspectives may be misinterpreted as weaknesses, the qualities that should have facilitated deeper understanding and connection become vulnerabilities instead. These can be exploited by the fears and agendas of others, however well-meaning they might have been. This is an important consideration for the mid-career professional migrant to healthily navigate this.

You may have worked hardest to transcend divisive legacies of the past elsewhere, then you may become one of most scrutinised and challenged by the remnants of those legacies in your new home.

To move beyond identifying the challenges to providing actionable solutions, it is essential to explore concrete steps individuals and communities can take. For instance, creating intercultural dialogue spaces where migrants and local communities can share stories and cultural practices enhances mutual understanding and dismantles prejudice. A reference point for this is SPEAK - Share your world founded by Hugo Menino Aguiar . He is pioneering pragmatic ways to do this, pressure tested during the pandemic. An afternoon, on a beach, in conversation about this mission, will fill the deepest cup.

Further, implementing mentorship programmes that pair newcomers with long-term residents can help navigate the practical and emotional complexities of settling in a new country. These initiatives, driven by migrant and host communities, foster a sense of shared experience and collective belonging. The mentorship of Lorraine Mentz MNZM has blossomed into a friendship I hope lasts our lifetimes.

Lessons in Resilience and Understanding

The path forward is neither easy nor straightforward. It requires resilience, a continued commitment to authenticity, and a nuanced understanding of the complex layers of history, identity, and perception that shape human interactions. Your journey will become a powerful testimony to the need for increased awareness and dialogue around the impacts of colonial legacies and Western worldviews, and the ongoing work to build truly inclusive and understanding communities.

In this context, the concepts of Being, Becoming, and Belonging take on new dimensions, emphasising not just the personal journey of individuals but the collective responsibility to challenge and dismantle the prejudices and historical narratives that hinder genuine understanding and connection. This is a call to action for deeper engagement with these concepts, and advocating for a world where individuals are seen and appreciated for their true selves, beyond the shadows of past injustices.

Colonisation has, in many ways, been an attempt to arrest the natural progression of societies by imposing external constraints on their development. This process not only involved the direct appropriation of land and resources but also the systematic undermining of indigenous cultures, knowledge systems, and ways of being. By doing so, colonisers aimed to ensure that the colonised remained dependent, disenfranchised, and unable to challenge the status quo, thus safeguarding their economic and political interests.

The journey towards belonging is not one to be walked alone. I walk it hand in hand with my partner. With allies too. Allies, both within the migrant communities and among the native population, play a crucial role in bridging divides and building bridgeheads into inclusion. Allies can offer support by actively listening to migrant experiences, challenging xenophobic behaviours and policies, and leveraging their positions within society to advocate for change.

Allyship involves challenges as well as rewards. The positive impact of allyship can motivate action. As I have benefitted, this allyship may include constructive challenges, so be open to those "coaching moments".

Conclusion

Evolution, rather than being a straightforward natural path towards growth and development in balance with nature, is a contested terrain, where the potential for change is both a threat to entrenched powers and a promise for those seeking to overcome historical injustices. The challenge is to reimagine evolution not as a process of domination but as a collective journey towards understanding, equality, and shared prosperity.