Amidst the buzzing streets of Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, where over 95 nationalities meet on the triple border between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, a boy's journey to the city and stand as a story of resilience and hope for the future. Foz do Iguaçu, where the Venezuelan community stands out as one of the most significant, was the chosen destination for the Rodriguez family, who emigrated from Venezuela in 2019 to flee the political and economic upheaval. After living three years in Peru, the eight-year-old Joaquín and his family took a bus journey to Brazil at the start of 2023 to rebuild their lives.
"When we arrived, we rushed to the playground because it had been so long since we'd been to one: fourteen days", recalls Joaquín.
The playground was one of the places where Joaquín gradually made friends and started to feel at home. Another pivotal place for its integration was Olavo Bilac Municipal School, where he joined the third grade and had the opportunity to participate in a project that promotes inclusion and acceptance throughout the school community.
Figure 1 Joaquín and his classmate looking at the countries’ boundaries while discussing inclusive public spaces for migrants @ UN-Habitat / Camilla Almeida
In 2024, together with 12 other migrant classmates, Joaquín joined UN-Habitat's initiative "Urban Connection," funded by UNDA, to promote the social inclusion of migrants and refugees. The initiative, also implemented in other border cities in Argentina, Paraguay, and Lebanon, involves migrant communities shaping public spaces to create welcoming places for cultural exchange and celebration that reflect the needs of a diverse society. At first, little he knew about how important his voice was to shape his city and neighbourhood. "Joaquín said he felt valued as an immigrant for the first time. The children see that the community recognizes their importance and believes they deserve to be heard – not just because they are children and migrants, but because they are people who should be respected", explains Bruna Zorzan, project coordinator at the school.
The children envisioned a space for all — a multipurpose sports court, an open area for artistic and cultural activities, an inclusive playground, and a community garden. Their ideas were turned into architectural plans and presented to the local government. For Joaquín, the experience turned the place into a space where he sees himself, not only through the realization of his ideas but also through the friendships he built.
"I thought it was really cool to be part of this project because I had never done anything about immigrants in another country", he says. "We made a model and map and chose what we wanted. It will be great for everyone – all the immigrant children will be able to play there because it's for everyone: Japanese, Arabs, Argentinians, Paraguayans, Venezuelans...".
Figure 2.,Joaquín and his classmates presenting their ideas at the end of the workshop @ UN-Habitat / Camilla Almeida .
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