Footsteps - To understand other people’s experiences of integration

One of the most important challenges in Swedish society today is about integration and segregation among newcomers, which leads to a lack of understanding and fear between groups.In this communication project we aim to promote understanding of immigrant group’s integration processes in Sweden, by using digital storytelling and art exhibition in two cities.We will use material from an earlier VR project, where Syrian-Orthodox Christian immigrants have described their integration and establishment in Sweden as well as their sense of belonging.To increase the ability to connect immigrants´ stories with non-immigrants’ lives, the stories will play out in everyday places.

Different experiences of people’s life stories will be available through QR-codes at different places in the surroundings.

Thus, the events that take place in the stories can be connected to an environment familiar to the user - strengthening the user’s ability to immerse into the story.

To increase the sense of belonging, the story is written in "you-form," which identifies the reader as the main character of the plot.

To further increase connection and feeling of empathy, the user will be able to make decisions at different points in the story, thus being able to affect how the story ends.

The similar stories will also be displayed in artistic form at Södertälje municipality art gallery, using augmented and virtual reality techniques (AR and VR), as well as invite to open seminars for further discussion.