The “kNOw US AND THEM” programs aims to make important connections right here in Maine among immigrants, small farmers, displaced workers, and other Mainers affected by international trade. We believe that the more we know about each other, the less we will have an “us” and “them” mentality about people whose basic concerns and experiences may not be very different from our own.
“We believe that immigration, trade, and job loss are connected,
and that the best way to help understand the connections is
through the eyes of the people who are affected.”
That is why the Listening Project is one of the most important parts of the kNOw US and THEM program.
The Listening Project is a method developed by Rural Southern Voices for Peace (RSVP) that facilitates communication, understanding, and the empowerment of people and communities.
PICA’s Listening Project consists of 25-50 in-depth interviews with some of the people most affected by international trade issues in Maine: immigrants, displaced manufacturing workers, and small farmers. During these interviews volunteers ask people about their lives, experiences, and ideas for change.
Some examples of the questions we ask people are:
• What is your work like?
• What matters to you most and what challenges do you face?
• If you could change something in this country, what would it be?
• How have foreign trade and job loss affected your family and community?
What we hear from these interviews is helping fuel our work. Within them we hope to find ideas and desires for action, points of possible collaboration, and a way of adding diverse Maine voices to the conversation on trade and immigration issues today.
The interviews are helping develop themes for larger group conversations, identifying and building connections with diverse individuals and groups, and are rich sources of material for further public education.
The “kNOw US and THEM” program begins with listening, but our overall goals are focused on action – the idea that once we more clearly see how we are connected, we can better work together for change that benefits us all.
