Contextualization

Introduction to Migration Flow

Migration flows are movements of people from one place to another, either between countries or within the same country. Migration is a complex phenomenon that involves various factors, such as economic, social, political, and environmental. Migrations can be voluntary or forced, motivated by factors such as seeking better living conditions, armed conflicts, political, ethnic or religious persecutions, and natural disasters.

African migration flows have specific characteristics and causes, resulting from a history marked by colonialism, conflicts, and inequalities. The migratory movements from the African continent to other regions of the world have been and continue to be fundamental for the social, cultural, and economic formation and transformation of many societies around the planet.

The Importance of Studying African Migration Flows

Studying African migration flows is essential to understand the formation of many societies around the world, especially those in the American continent. Knowledge of migration routes, the causes of these movements, and their consequences help us understand current phenomena such as racial issues, socioeconomic inequalities, and the challenges faced by African migrants today.

Furthermore, by studying African migration, we can perceive the influence of this phenomenon on significant historical and social events, such as slavery, Apartheid, and ethnic conflicts. This understanding is crucial for thinking about solutions to current problems in the African continent and its people, whether in politics, economy, or human rights.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: Tracing the Routes of African Migration

Project Objective

This project aims to provide students with a deep understanding of African migration flows, their reasons, routes, and impacts, through the development of an interactive map and a digital documentary. The activity is multidisciplinary and will be conducted in groups of 3 to 5 members, with an estimated duration of 12 hours per student.

Detailed Project Description

The students, in groups, will create an interactive map that presents the main routes of African migration flows from the 15th to the 21st century. The map must be accompanied by a clear explanatory narrative, including the factors that led to these migration routes, the challenges faced by migrants, and the impact of these migrations on the countries of origin and destination.

In addition to the map, the students will produce a digital documentary, which can be in the form of a video, podcast, or multimedia presentation. This documentary should present the history of African migration flows, covering the causes and consequences of these migrations in social, political, economic, and cultural aspects.

Required Materials

1. Computers with internet access
2. Video/audio editing software (e.g., Audacity, iMovie)
3. Platform for creating interactive maps (e.g., Google Earth, StoryMap)

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Research and Data Collection: Conduct in-depth research on African migration flows, identifying the main routes, causes, and consequences. Use the recommended resources and others that students find relevant.

2. Creation of Interactive Map: With the collected data, create an interactive map showing the routes of African migration flows over time. Include detailed captions and descriptions.

3. Production of Digital Documentary: Based on the research conducted and the information from the map, produce a digital documentary that clearly and attractively presents the history of African migration flows and their implications.

4. Review and Improvements: Review the map and the documentary, make necessary improvements and adjustments.

5. Preparation of Report: Finally, students must prepare a detailed report of the activity, describing the research methods used, the processes of producing the interactive map and the digital documentary, and the conclusions on the topic studied.

Project Deliverables

At the end of the project, students must deliver:

1. Interactive Map: An interactive representation of the routes of African migration flows over time, with detailed captions and descriptions.
2. Digital Documentary: A presentation in the form of a video, podcast, or multimedia presentation, that presents the history of African migration flows, their causes, and consequences.
3. Written Report: A document that synthesizes the research conducted, the production of the interactive map and the digital documentary, and the conclusions. The report should be divided into four sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography.

In the Introduction, students should summarize the topic, the relevance of the activity, and the project's objective. In the Development, they should describe the research methodology used, the creation of the interactive map and the digital documentary, presenting and discussing the results. In the Conclusions, they should recap the main points of the work, the learnings, and the discoveries. Finally, in the Bibliography, they should indicate the resources used in the research.