“Your human rights travel with you. Because of your dignity and simply because you are a person, they must be recognized.” With these words, Cristina Ciordia, Advocacy Coordinator at Centro de Justicia y Paz (Cepaz), opened one of the most powerful moments of the recent virtual conversation titled “Your Identity, Your Strength: Rediscovering Ourselves Along the Migrant Journey,” organized by Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid (VIA) as part of its Peer Support Program (PSP).

The event, streamed live on YouTube and Instagram, was moderated by Niurka Meléndez, VIA’s Co-Executive Director, alongside psychologist Liliana Torella, coordinator of the PSP. Special guests Beatriz Borges, Executive Director of Cepaz, and Cristina Ciordia shared key insights on the connection between identity, human rights, and the emotional wellbeing of migrants.

One of the main takeaways from the discussion was that identity is more than just a document. “It’s the key that opens the door to all of our other rights,” explained Ciordia, emphasizing that even people going through migration processes without legal status are still holders of fundamental human rights.

Liliana Torella highlighted the emotional toll that comes with migration. “Migrant grief, fear, and the sense of uprootedness are realities that follow those forced to start over far from their homeland,” she said. The event also gave space for participants from different countries to share their experiences in real time.

A collective word cloud became one of the most moving moments of the night. Words like fear, nostalgia, and uprootedness stood out, reflecting the emotional landscape of a community that, despite the challenges, continues to rebuild its sense of wellbeing.

Beatriz Borges stressed that knowing and demanding our rights is a powerful tool for reducing the stress and uncertainty migrants often face. “Frustration often comes from the gap between theory and practice. That’s why it’s so important to stay informed, get organized, and build support networks like VIA,” she said.

This conversation reaffirms the ongoing collaboration between VIA and Cepaz, a joint effort that continues to create spaces for information, support, and community connection for migrant populations.