Migrant mediators as promoters of social cohesion during the pandemic: an analysis of the mutual learning process

The chapter focuses on the key role played by the so-called migrant mediators during the pandemic. These are people who are committed to promoting mutual learning processes in London, Milan and Stuttgart and are able to encourage forms of social cohesion. They generally demonstrate a strong sense of belonging to their country of origin and, at the same time, are well integrated into their country of residence. In particular, they demonstrate good familiarity in the use of both the language of the national community of reference and that of the country in which they reside. Not infrequently, they also have roles of responsibility at a social, cultural and political level in the context of reception. After a brief insight into the impact of the health emergency on migrants and a brief description of how the concept of mutual learning can be defned with respect to the relationship between migrants and nonmigrants, the value of these migrant mediators is highlighted during the crisis in the three cities, focusing on such key facilitators of mutual learning as the Covid champions in London, Peruvian migrants working on the front lines in Milanese hospitals and the German Turkish Forum in Stuttgart.