Interview with Kerem Schamberger：“To Fight for a Better and Just world”

| 18th January 2024：Group Interview with Kerem Schamberger

In a recent interview with Kerem Schamberger, he introduced us to the daily work of MEDICO, sharing his concerns on immigration issues from a communication perspective. We were deeply impressed by his passion for social activism and his pursuit of a just world.

Part 1 “I decided to work where I get sense of what I am doing”

Medico International is a  politically independent  non-profit organization founded in 1968. landmines.Its declared aim is to achieve the human right to health globally and work for a just world and also focus on  critical public relations and campaign work.In 1997, Medico was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as co-initiator of the campaign to ban landmines.

Kerem Schamberger is a communications scientist and internationally responsible for Medico International’s public relations work. As a son of a Turkish father and a German mother, he has deep concern for the area of migration and human rights since his studenthood.

“I am a quite leftist person,I decided to work and spend my life time where I get sense of what I am doing” Kerem says.While the public relations departments of Internet companies like Facebook have higher salaries, it doesn’t align with his aspirations.That’s why he decided to work in Medico after he obtained his doctorate in communication science.

Part 2  “I have to be there to see it myself”

In today’s world, marked by major migration crises, the importance of organizations such as Medico International cannot be overstated. Within Medico, the communication department stands out as one of its three core divisions. Medico’s team, known for its diversity, shares a common political ethos. The team mainly consists of activists with progressive, left-leaning views, often focusing on anti-colonial and human rights issues. This collective political identity underpins their commitment to addressing the complexities of global migration issues.

Migration has become a core issue for far-right and conservative factions in Germany and throughout Europe, with these groups using it as a political tool to garner support. Contrasting this, Medico International, firmly advocates for the right to freedom of movement. This encompasses the rights to both leave and stay in one’s home. The organization is committed to creating a society where individuals are not compelled to leave against their will. This fundamental principle is consistently conveyed in Medico International’s collaborative efforts and public statements on migration issues.

“I have to be there to see it myself,” He said. Over the past two years, he has traveled a lot, He has traveled extensively along European borders, areas known for numerous refugee and migrant deaths, including Greek islands, Lesbos and Samos, Malta, Poland, the Ukrainian border, the Belarusian border between Poland and Belarus，Lampedusa，Niger and so on. In the field, he engages in deep conversations with local civil society members to grasp their work and the challenges they encounter.

Kerem’s linguistic prowess in French, German, English, and Turkish emerges as a crucial tool in his work, enabling him to connect deeply with people across different regions. Additionally, professional translators will assist with their work. Unlike other organizations, Medico doesn’t send its staff to crisis zones. Instead, they offer financial support to local organizations, a strategy that respects local autonomy and expertise.

His day-to-day work at Medico International is a typical yet impactful routine, encompassing a range of practical tasks. His daily activities include conducting inquiries, communicating with various partners, and engaging in thorough reading and writing of articles. A significant part of his work also involves research on migration issues, contributing to Medico’s broader objective of informing and influencing public understanding and policies in this area.

He actively uses platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to raise awareness. He shares information and insights on a range of political topics, mainly focusing on the Middle East, including Turkey, Northern Kurdistan, Rojava, and the Palestine/Israel region. Besides traditional social media, Kerem built his own blog, which is pretty unique.(link:Über Mich – Kerem Schamberger (kerem-schamberger.de)He writes here about what he has been doing, reading and thinking in his political and professional life. When it comes to why he blogs, he explains it this way:”I read a lot of news from all over the world every day. The shocking images and articles make me feel helpless. Through my political work, I try to transform this helplessness into active resistance against the prevailing politics and capitalism. This blog is a kind of self-help – by making the information available to as many people as possible. In doing so, I hope to raise awareness of a (very small) part of the injustice in this world and thus encourage even more people to become active.” “Social media is a tool, not a solution.”He also stressed the importance of tangible, real-world actions. It is a reminder that in the fight for human rights and dignity, digital activism must be complemented by on-the-ground efforts.

Part 3 “Enjoy your study”

At a time of intensified geopolitical conflicts, such as the Ukraine-russia War and the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, with the increasing number of refugees, Kerem argues that “The world we live in right now is on the verge of collapsing, the future we have may not be very bright.That’s why we should fight to maintain structures of solidarity and cooperation not only in Germany, but also worldwide.”

During his career fighting for justice, he once received death threats. “I think the upcoming time will be really hard, but also I am used to it somehow.”He should be responsible for his family and partner and currently he is looking forward to becoming a father.

“Enjoy your study”，an excessively gentle suggestion was given to the young students when being asked about what the young generation can do for social progress.”It’s a privilege to study for years on a topic you are interested in,” Kerem says. Wishing the younger generation, both students and his own child, health and happiness is part of his picture of a better and just world.

Giada; Rebecca; Crystal; Sua; Xinyue; Viktoria