The war in Ukraine, and us, the expats...
Once again...
The worst of the past is returning to Europe. The sirens of the alarms, the flash of the blasts, the horror of the images of the victims. Convoys of refugees on the roads…
So many of us have found in these images the family stories of a time we wanted to believe was over…
Our thoughts do not leave the victims and their families.
As well as all those among us who had to leave their homes in a hurry to flee, wherever they are.
The hearts of all of us are clenched with worry and sadness. But here, it is the impact on all of us expatriates that I would like to talk about.
As I write these lines, it is the same fear that grips me as when I wrote about the beginning of the Covid, about the last report of the Giec, about the Notre-Dame fire. That feeling that a page is torn out.
That a protective wall has fallen. Again, a feeling of stupefaction and powerlessness too often felt in recent years. With the added awareness that we are no longer all in the same boat between those who live far from the drama, those who can return home and those whose home is right there, under the bombs. And nevertheless an identical need to belong, to share…
And to talk about it today, my community is you, the expatriates.
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Because in the course of these events, it is the very essence of our life as expatriates that is at stake
Expatriate friends, with you, we like to talk about parties, travel and vacations. We celebrate the joys and passions of our expatriate lives. But we are complete expats, with laughter and tears. We are, somewhat in spite of ourselves, first-hand witnesses to many of the world’s conflicts. And this is what makes us know how to intensely enjoy the sparkling moments because we know the weight of separations and worries. But today, the sound of the cannon in Kiev forces us to realize the fragility of our way of life.
Like the diagnosis of a disease that we felt was gaining on us, the verdict is there. The war is coming back to our doors. You know how much I like to discern the positive in everything. This is another expat trait… But let’s not kid ourselves. This storm arrives carried by a cohort of other dark clouds in the East and in the South, with more and more powerful ideologies that refuse the foundations of our civilization: democracy, the freedom to come and go, and even more than respect, the taste for difference.
These values are part of the foundation of our Western culture.
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But for us expatriates, they are the essence of our life
But we have to face the fact that more and more powerful forces are threatening them.
And, sorry, I continue, even if it is frowned upon among expatriates to look at the empty glass – we’ll fill it up quickly afterwards together… These geopolitical tensions that threaten our values come on the heels of Covid, which revealed the fragility of our multi-country way of life. And while the skies have partially reopened, we all know that there is another threat to our journeys: the weight of its carbon emissions. Conflicts, viruses, carbon footprint… Great challenge to be an expatriate in 2022. We didn’t think the theme of our Expat Communication barometer was so intense. And we will continue to monitor these developments with you throughout the year.
However, for me, and perhaps for you as well,
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the fact of looking head-on at the clouds makes it possible to discern the sky which remains blue
In this way, we can identify our room for maneuver and our responsibilities. Yes, our world is sick. Nevertheless, most of us live in peaceful countries. We now know better the value of it. Without getting dizzy to forget, let’s savor this chance we have and enjoy it. Let’s go further and ask ourselves the question: don’t we have precious cards in hand to be actors of this change?
Let’s remember what made us expatriates:
- Reinventing ourselves in a new context,
- Receive help and then give it,
- The experience of other countries and new cultures.
So many strengths that are essential in the coming moments to :
- Clarify our values at a time when they are under attack,
- To support companies that are no longer used to this type of challenge and to help the people affected by these tragedies,
- Contribute to meeting these challenges with the richness of an international vision.
- Take a step back and try not to respond only with our emotions but with foresight and wisdom.
Each with their own talents: artist, organizer, steward, visionary or discreet. And with our own mission. Perhaps to be the voice of Ukraine for those who lived there and for whom it is so hard to leave so much suffering behind. And to preserve bridges with the Russians for those who return from Russia and who often left a part of their heart there.
With these words, a little heavy, but essential to tell you our support and our listening, I give you next Tuesday to celebrate the 20 years of femmexpat with the week of the femmexpats.
In honor of all the femmexpats, in union with all those affected by the war in Ukraine, in all countries where they are.
Alix Carnot, Associate Director Expat Communication.
Expat Communication
Expert in interculturality and coaching
for international talent since 2001.
