Stories of coexistence in Lima

Lima has long been shaped by internal movement and, more recently, by arrivals from across the region. With over 1.5 million Venezuelan refugees and migrants now residing in Peru - many in the capital - the city's neighborhoods, markets, schools, and workplaces reflect an evolving social fabric. Yet living side by side does not always lead to mutual understanding. Discussions on mobility can be complex, and the everyday contributions of newcomers and residents are not always visible.

Through the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme implemented by the Social and Human Sciences Sector (SHS) , Young Leader José Alberto León Méndez is responding to this context through Dignity Weave, an intercultural initiative that uses short documentary storytelling and facilitated dialogue to create spaces to share and discuss lived experiences of migration. With guidance, training, and funding support from UNESCO, the project focuses on turning real-life stories into opportunities for connection and collaboration.

The project features a series of short documentaries that portray everyday coexistence between Peruvians and Venezuelans. Each film is paired with community workshops where participants reflect together and identify collaborative "micro-actions", helping to strengthen relationships in their neighborhoods.

His first documentary features Astrid Flores, a Venezuelan dentist now practicing in Lima. She arrived in Peru with very limited resources, carrying only her personal belongings, "my instruments, some clothes, and a pair of shoes," as she recalls. From there, the film follows the gradual rebuilding of her personal and professional life in her new country, and the overcoming of adversity.

Over time, Astrid built relationships with patients grounded in care and attention. Some recall moments that stayed with them - being asked how they were doing beyond treatment or simply being listened to. As she reflects, "there are patients who have told me: nobody had ever asked me how I was feeling that week." Her experiences reflect her perseverance, and the value of connections formed over time.