It took place in the foyer of the Municipal Theater of Piraeus the final conference of the European “Depart” Programin which the Municipality of Piraeus participates as a partner, with the aim of facilitating the integration of refugees and immigrants into the community.
The “Depart” program was implemented in four European cities (Piraeus, Avezzano Italy, Girona Spain and Oborishte (Sofia Bulgaria) in the context of creating a structured communication channel of the Authorities with refugees and immigrants about the policies that concern them.
At the same time, through the program, the participation of local communities is strengthened by providing training and empowerment to immigrants in order to replicate the SAT (Self-Advocacy) model.
Dimitris Karydis: “Our goal is to highlight, discuss and solve the problems”
The President of the Council for the Integration of Immigrants & Refugees and Deputy Mayor of Planning & Sustainable Development Mr. Dimitris Karydis in his statement he emphasized that:
“The Municipality of Piraeus participated in the “Depart” Program in order to continue the dialogue of immigrant and refugee communities with the bodies that influence policy-making, whether they are of the Self-Government or of the central political scene. Our goal is to highlight, discuss and solve the problems recorded in the lives of these people”.
At the same time, Mr. Karydis also referred to the cooperation of the Municipality with the Bar Association of the city, underlining: “The Municipality, in the context of “Depart” and with regard to the rights of refugees and immigrants, asked the Bar Association to support the his efforts with specialized lawyers, which he did and for that we thank him very much.”
The President of the Piraeus Bar Association Mr. Ilias Klapas said in a statement:The Piraeus Bar Association responded to the invitation of the Municipality and Deputy Mayor Dimitris Karydis. He joins refugee and immigrant efforts by bringing the expertise that lawyers have to rights issues by knowing both the rule and the situation in the field.”
The person in charge of the “Depart” Program on behalf of the Municipality of Piraeus, Ms. Sophia Krana among other things he emphasized: “We implemented the European program “Depart” in order to give a voice to refugees and immigrants not only to be heard but also to sit at the same table with the bodies that draw up immigration policy. And this is because some decisions are made for them without their participation”.
“By providing training we can empower them and promote an inclusive society”
The coordinator of European Programs from the Greek Refugee Forum Mr. Stephanopoulos Giorgos stated that “the empowerment of Advocacy groups is emerging as a useful tool to ensure the rights and well-being of displaced persons.
They play a vital role in the inclusion process, enabling refugees and migrants to navigate complex legal frameworks and understand their rights in the host society.
By providing these groups with training on human rights and the laws of the host country, we can empower them and promote an inclusive society based on human rights.
Ms Sonia Parella sociologist and professor in the Department of Sociology and Mr. Massoud Sharifi sociologist and associate lecturer at the University of Barcelona UAB stated that “(UAB) is a leading public university with a strong international orientation, particularly committed to promoting mobility, collaboration and talent capture .
Renowned for its research excellence and commitment to high-quality teaching, the UAB is a reference institution in Spain and the European Union. Academic teaching at UAB is distinguished by its multidisciplinary approach and is intricately linked to numerous research activities.
For researchers, the successes and failures experienced by self-advocacy groups represent an important step towards reflection on expanding the boundaries of citizenship and contribute to rethinking democracy with a more inclusive vision.”
“The DEPART project represents a very strong example of local integration based on the help of the local community”
The person in charge of the “Depart” program on behalf of Avezzano, Italy, Mr.Stefano Calore stated that “The DEPART project represents a very strong example of local integration based on the help of the local community. The model of Self-Advocacy Groups, with the help of specialist organizations and with the fundamental support of local authorities, can really represent a model to be followed at the European level.”
The person in charge on behalf of the Municipality of Avezzano, Mr.Ennio Ferzoco emphasized: “The project represents an initial but important step towards the inclusive participation of immigrants in political decision-making. Personally, the implementation of this project was important both because it led to the creation of some practical tools for the case and because of its ability to bring to light issues that are often ignored in the region.”
Mr. Umberto Bettarini from the company ARES20 of Avezzano, stated that “we believe that by making visible the rights of most people, who despite the fact that they have lived next to us for decades, are still invisible, represents a priority from which we can no longer escape for a truly free, supportive and inclusive Europe’.
“Derart is the model that made immigrants visible and gave a voice”
Ms Catarina Alves from the Asocolgi organization of Spain stated that “Derart is the model of socio-political participation and empowerment that made visible and gave voice to immigrants and refugees in order to strengthen and improve their inclusion and inclusion in Girona”.
Ms Radostina on behalf of the Refugee Women’s Council in Bulgaria stated that “In Bulgaria an important step has been taken with the launch of a second effort to amplify the voices of refugees and migrants on policies that deeply affect them.
The project activities provided an opportunity to mobilize communities and seek a solution that comes from them. The establishment of the self-advocacy group facilitated direct engagement between local authorities and individuals, representing a key opportunity for meaningful dialogue. Continuation of this practice is imperative as it maintains this vital link and ensures continued collaboration for inclusive policymaking.”
The President of the Open School for Immigrants Mr. Nikos Agapakis stated that “The Open School of Immigrants Piraeus welcomes and participates in every effort of institutionalized bodies and also of the Immigrant Population living in Greece with the ultimate goal of empowering and emancipating them in relation to their Social and Political rights.
Greece as a country of first reception and entry must follow and respect International Law as well as strengthen the idea of Multiculturalism which is inextricably linked to its historical past, its geographical position and its economic development and prosperity”.
From the Municipality of Piraeus, the event was attended by: the Mandated Municipal Councilor for Public Health and Social Services, Mr. Georgios Vitsas, the Municipal Councilor, Ms. Elina Verykaki, the former Secretary of the Council for the Integration of Immigrants & Refugees and member of the Piraeus Bar Association, Ms. Vana Mela, the President of the School Committee of Primary Education Mr. Christos Makris and the President of the Structure of Unaccompanied Minors ‘ZEXSIS’ Mr. Panagiotis Nikas.
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