Migrant mediators as promoters of mutual learning during the pandemic: evidence from international research

The Covid-19 pandemic generated an unprecedented global crisis, but it also triggered unexpected forms of resilience. This ambivalence is particularly evident in migrant communities: while the health emergency exacerbated the vulnerabilities of irregular, temporary or seasonal migrants, it also highlighted the crucial role of “migrant mediators”. With a strong sense of belonging to their country of origin but also firmly embedded in the social fabric of their host societies, these individuals acted as intermediaries between migrants and not-migrants, enabling mutual learning processes during the crisis. This contribution draws on qualitative research conducted in three European cities to explore the pandemic’s impact on Bangladeshis in London, Peruvians in Milan, and Turks in Stuttgart. Semi-structured interviews show that migrant mediators supported both their communities of origin and the wider society by sharing essential information, engaging in care practices, and promoting dialogue and mutual learning among local stakeholders. In London, for instance, Bangladeshi “Covid Champions” emerged as an informal network that assisted disadvantaged people and collaborated with local authorities; in Milan, Peruvians contributed significantly as nurses and healthcare workers in hospitals and private homes; in Stuttgart, the German Turkish Forum and the Turkish Islamic Union of Religious Affairs facilitated communication and cooperation between institutions and local communities. The findings reveal how migrants have served as a vital resource in responding to the pandemic across Western societies. In addition, they demonstrate that the crisis also opened spaces for solidarity challenging the dominant neoliberal logic and reaffirming the transformative potential of the mutual learning.