On December 11-12, 2018, the Josefa Foundation* posted its unique message: "All of us, migrants", on 45 digital screens (JC Decaux) in the streets and stations of Brussels...

The Josefa Foundation, a revolutionary proposal, appeared in 2011, and its fundamental intuition is that by nature, as human beings, we are "All of us, migrants". Whether we travel the world in search of a better future, in a free or constrained way, or as we journey through our life with multiple social, economic, cultural or faith-based realities, each of our migrations is unique because we are all unique.

Our migrations are at the heart of our human condition, at the heart of our History: they enlighten our societies; they tell the meaning of our humanity on the move. In our States, in our regions and cities, our migrations are sources of enrichment for our societies today and for future generations.

HOSPITALITY IN RECIPROCITY

Equipped with its experiences and expertise, breaking with the traditional "migrant" schemes, the Josefa Foundation engages, questions and proposes a new way to face the challenges of migration.

Its path is that of Hospitality in Reciprocity. Josefa calls for a renewed societal vision based on our migrations in their uniqueness and universality.

As we migrate, we become human, between hospitality and reciprocity.

VISION, MISSION: Josefa HOUSE

Vision: The "All of us, migrants" proposal is based on a global approach: physical, psycho-intellectual and spiritual. Josefa wants to challenge each of us to the extent of his or her migrant-being. Josefa focuses on the cultural and faith-based dimensions of our migrations.

Mission: Since mid-2015, the Josefa House aims to change our outlook on our migrations. At Josefa House in Brussels, there are about thirty co-residents, migrants from all over the world. A building that is public, supportive and promotes freedom, Josefa is the place of multiple proposals: social, economic, cultural and faith-based.

BEING TOGETHER: INDIVIDUALS UNDER ONE ROOF

With the support of public and private stakeholders, the Josefa Foundation encourages refugees and people who have not experienced a forced migration to actively be together. The Josefa House offers a roof and treats each person as a unique individual.

Thinking in terms of sustainability and conviviality, continuity and innovation, the Josefa House is divided between private and public spaces: private flats, and common areas for dining, cultural events and meditation, surrounded by a peaceful garden.

Above all, the Josefa House takes into account the individual dignity of each resident; in addition, it seeks to promote bridges between residents and their surrounding community.

In this sense, Josefa intends to give the Migration Economy a transversal, ethical and sustainable role. In order to tackle the material, psycho-intellectual and spiritual diversities of our migrations, Josefa is ready to open a cultural dialogue.

MIGRANT, YOU AND ME

Between ideology and utopia, ideal and hope, resistance and submission, for Josefa, it is vital to live freely and with dignity in our migrations, without pigeon-holing: "migrants".

As we are all migrants, we have been on the road for a very long time, too often forgetting that only the journey matters.

This is what the Josefa House, the face of the Foundation, is offering. By moving away from predefined migratory routes reserved for those known as "migrants", it opens its doors without ever denying the memory of our origins and traditions, however diverse they may be.

The time has come to change the way we look at our migrations: it is our responsibility, to each and every one of us, to you and me, for future generations.

(*) Created in 2011 by Gilbert Granjon and recognised as a "Charitable Foundation" by royal decree on June 15, 2012, the Josefa Foundation is under Belgian law but it claims an international vocation through its fundamental and universal intuition: by nature, we are, All of us, migrants.