Foreword by Filippo Grandi for the exhibition ​“Being Human – The sea at night is too big!”

“Being Human” is a series of portraits that comes at a critical moment in Europe’s response to migration and asylum. It is a project that we at UNHCR are proud to support, alongside IOM and the Spanish Embassy to Belgium, because it humanizes these issues.

Gonzalo Orquin’s portraits and Francesca Paci’s words depict the stories of refugees and migrants whose voices often go unheard, whose images are often misrepresented, but whose bravery and resilience transcend all borders.

Just as each person’s reason for leaving their home differs, so do their stories. Yet, too often, when movements of refugees and migrants are discussed, the very people at the heart of the matter are reduced to numbers. The portraits and words in this series are an essential reminder that behind each statistic is a person – a woman, a child, a man, a human being — who needs, deserves and should have full access to their human rights.

Orquin’s portraits show the individual people arriving in Europe through Italy and the Balkans, depicting the complexities of the journey and the hopes and fears of people on the move. While the exhibit is just a snapshot of the lives of these people, it serves as a reminder of the unique stories behind each long and dangerous journey.

Those portrayed here have thankfully made it to safety, but too many lives continue to be lost at the doorsteps of Europe. However, solutions are available to address the complexities surrounding movements of refugees and migrants and to protect and save lives.

Such solutions require investment and cooperation between various actors in countries of origin, transit and destination. They consist of predictable and effective mechanisms to save lives at sea, disembark and deal with people in need of protection in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility-sharing.

Workable and common asylum policies and practices are within reach, rooted in human rights and the 1951 Refugee Convention, with guaranteed access to territory and asylum procedures. We saw how Europe opened its doors and hearts to those fleeing Ukraine, and this is an example to follow also for those coming from elsewhere. Granting access to asylum, resettlement, family reunification, employment and education are all ways to show people fleeing war, violence and persecution that there is hope away from home.

But processes and policies in countries of transit or destination cannot solve the issue alone. We need to go back to the core of the matter. If we are to address the consequences of conflict, climate change, persecution and human rights violations, then people must be at the heart of all responses.

Nobody chooses to be a refugee. In addition to states and international organizations, everyone can help give hope to refugees and asylum seekers in a multitude of ways — corporations, civil society, artists, journalists like Orquin and Paci, and ordinary citizens.

Each work of art in this exhibition acts as a bridge between people, sharing stories of courage. Each will speak to the viewer in its own way. By learning the stories and knowing some of the faces, we play our part in putting people at the heart of how we deal with migration and asylum.

And we give that glimmer of hope away from home to everyone, no matter who they are, or where they are from.

Filippo Grandi