In a world that builds walls, knowledge and education are powerful tools for creating bridges and saving lives. MAEC believes in the driving force of bringing together people from different backgrounds in the name of shared humanity, too often neglected and ignored due to linguistic and cultural barriers.
On June 17th, a sailboat was spotted drifting about 250 kilometres off the coast of Roccella, in Calabria. Set off from Turkey, the boat had over 80 migrants, but only 12 survived.
During this time, the MAEC-Mediterranean Aid Education Center was there to follow up on rescue operations and show solidarity with the communities. Our Director Regina Egle Liotta Catrambone was in Reggio Calabria presenting her book “Raccogliere il mare con un cucchiaino,” a decade-long collection of stories gathered among migrants. Written from the heart, the book aims to bridge the gap between “us” and “them” and reveal the human side behind the stories of migration.

MAEC’s presence was no coincidence; our organization’s goal is to educate, inform, and create awareness for a more informed narrative on migration. It becomes necessary to share migrants’ tales—their hopes, fears, and sacrifices. This approach aims to change public perceptions and promote more inclusive and humane policies among lawmakers and civil society.
In a world that builds walls, knowledge and education are powerful tools for creating bridges and saving lives. MAEC believes in the driving force of bringing together people from different backgrounds in the name of shared humanity, too often neglected and ignored due to linguistic and cultural barriers.
For years, many migrants’ lives have been lost in an attempt to reach the coast of Calabria, Italy’s southernmost region. Yet, amidst so much suffering, a spark of humanity and compassion found space. This place is the cemetery of Armo, on the outskirts of the city of Reggio Calabria, where migrants who died at sea and the poor find a place to rest and receive a proper burial. A place where differences are brushed aside, and colour, race, religion, and nationality become obsolete.
Armo’s memorial represents a testament to the humanitarian crises of our time. It is a powerful place reflecting the deep roots of migration and poverty. It is where collective mourning tells stories of pain and loss but also serves as a tool for awareness, creating social cohesion, breaking prejudices, and fostering a sense of belonging.

With an education-based approach, it is possible to transform the narrative of individual tragedies into a lesson of empathy and solidarity, promoting a future of better understanding and inclusion. A widely accepted commitment to education, memory, and solidarity can create more cohesive and humane communities capable of facing global challenges with empathy and understanding.