Teddy bear tours Brussels to raise awareness of child refugees

A large teddy bear will appear at several busy locations around Brussels on Monday to raise awareness of the experiences of refugee children and to call for better reception conditions for young people fleeing conflict.

The stuffed animal will visit locations including the Grand-Place, Brussels-Central station, Place Flagey and Place Luxembourg - and will then visit Antwerp on Tuesday and Liège on Wednesday.

The campaign - under the banner "Humanity is Unstoppable" - has been organised by the NGO Caritas International to underline the importance of providing dignified reception for children arriving in Europe after escaping crises around the world.

The bear is part of a film by Belgian director Jef Boes, mostly shot at a reception centre in Wavre on the outskirts of Brussels, which follows a child’s journey from fleeing their family home to arriving in a safer country and beginning to build a new life.

In the film, the teddy bear travels with Ousman and his parents, witnessing their abrupt departure and the uncertainty that follows. But the story also focuses on what comes next: a safe place to stay, school, a new language, friendships and plans for the future.

Caritas International explains that, for many children forced to leave suddenly, a cuddly toy can be one of the few personal possessions that they take with them. 

“If you do not know where you will sleep tonight, it is very difficult to think about school, your procedure or your future,” said Marie, a Caritas International welfare worker who helps people forced to flee their homes.

According to the organisation, reception systems - especially in Brussels - are under increasing pressure as crises become more prolonged and migration policies become more restrictive.

“The migration debate is too often reduced to numbers,” said Caritas International Belgium director-general Samuel Cogolati. “In doing so, we dehumanise people who have been forced to flee.”

“(The teddy bear) invites us to look at migration from a child’s perspective. Behind every figure is a person with a story and a future.”

The bear will also be travelling on public transport and can be seen outside the European Parliament on Monday lunchtime.