Successful completion of the regional conference, aimed at sharing good practices and innovative approaches to inclusive education

The conference was held on March 20 and 21 (World Day Against Racism) in Athens by the operators of the Active Citizens Fund program in Greece – SolidarityNow and Bodossaki Foundation – and in Bulgaria – Open Society Institute Sofia, Workshop for Civic Initiatives Foundation, and Trust for Social Achievement. Among the speakers were representatives from the European Commission, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Ministry of Education, Religion, and Sports, and the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, academic institutions, embassies, institutional bodies, and European and local Civil Society organizations actively engaged in combating educational inequalities, supporting vulnerable social groups, and defending human rights. More than 40 speakers and participants represented 9 countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Malta, Norway, Poland, Romania, Czech Republic).

The conference was opened by the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, responsible for Inclusion, Vulnerable Citizens, and Unaccompanied Minors, Mrs. Sofia Voultepsi, the Ambassador of Norway to Greece, Mrs. Lajla Brandt Jakhelln, and the Founder and President of SolidarityNow, Mr. Stelios Zavvos.

Mrs. Sofia Voultepsi stated that the main cause of inequalities is the fact that not all people have the same starting point, a fact that is multiplied when discussing refugee children. Additionally, the Deputy Minister spoke about the inclusion steps that have been taken: “‘All Children in Education’ program is a motto and an acknowledgment, a success story and the flagship of refugee education. The program acts as a bridge between formal and non-formal education and the public school, benefiting since September 2021 to date more than 22,000 children.”

On her part, the Ambassador of Norway, Lajla Brandt Jakhelln, representing the donor countries of the EEA Grants, emphasized: “Every child has the right to education, and this is a fundamental right. Inclusive education is not only the right thing to do but also the smartest.”

The founder and President of SolidarityNow, Stelios Zavvos, noted that education is at the heart of the organization’s actions, being of fundamental importance for achieving peaceful coexistence, social inclusion and sustainable development. “The organization has developed multiple educational programs to improve and provide access to quality services for refugee children and their families and for Roma children, envisioning a society with equal opportunities and without exclusions.”

Through the experiences of four children attending Greek public schools, the 215 participants had the opportunity to realize the importance of inclusion in practice, where every child, regardless of nationality, disability, gender, linguistic, and other skills, has their place and must feel an equal member of the school. Data shows that although the enrollment rate of children in European countries is very high, there are still inequalities in access to quality education and learning outcomes, especially for some vulnerable groups of children, such as refugee and migrant children, Roma children, and children with disabilities.

Throughout the conference, over a series of presentations, discussions, and statements, the need for more documentation, the importance of the participation of children, families, and their communities in their education, the value of highlighting or recognizing cultural and linguistic diversity, the debunking of stereotypes about educational capabilities, and above all, the need for an inclusive way of thinking were highlighted. The common theme was that the inclusion of all children in education is an issue that concerns every society. 

You can watch the speeches made in the context of the conference here. We thank blod.gr for the video recording.

*The conference is a regional initiative in the context of the Active Citizens Fund programmes in Greece and Bulgaria funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014-2021. 

The Active citizens fund in Greece is supported through a € 15 m grant from Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway as part of the EEA Grants 2014 – 2021. The programme aims to develop the sustainability and capacity of the civil society sector in Greece, and to strengthen its role in promoting and safeguarding democratic procedures, active citizenship, and human rights. The Fund Operator for the Active citizens fund in Greece is Bodossaki Foundation in consortium with SolidarityNow.

More than 230 job positions were offered, following approximately 770 interviews, during the successful job fair organized by SolidarityNow and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Thessaloniki on March 13th. The event aimed to connect refugees and asylum seekers who were looking for a job with employers from various sectors operating in Northern Greece. 

The event, which took place at the Blue Refugee Centre*, is part of the strategic goal of both organizations to promote the employability of refugees, supporting the National Strategy for Integration for the benefit of both refugees and the Greek economy, and society. 

During the event, 279 refugees and asylum seekers who participated underwent interviews with 15 employers from various business sectors, such as tourism and the manufacturing industry, who aim to strengthen and expand their workforce. 

Receiving guidance and support at every step of the process, participants had the opportunity to draft their resumes on the spot and to learn about their working rights and obligations before proceeding to interviews with company representatives. Additionally, two parallel-group discussions provided inspiration and practical advice to refugees seeking to enter the job market. 

Shaaima, a mother of three children, who came from Iraq to Greece in 2018 and, despite the challenges she faced, is ready to open her restaurant in Thessaloniki with Arab and Greek flavors. During her speech at the discussion titled “Refugee Women in the Workplace,” Shaaima inspired and encouraged all women to have confidence in themselves and to believe that they can make their own decisions. “Every woman is a knight and a poet. If a woman looks into her soul, she will see this,” she said. 

Ola, a young woman from Sierra Leone who has been in Greece for about 1.5 years, shared her experience during the group discussion titled “Refugees and the Greek Labor Market: Discussion between Employers and Candidates.” 

“For me, hope means patience. You must take one step at a time. You must recognize the value of what you do, and believe in yourself,” she stressed to mobilize other refugees who may feel helpless and have lost their hope. The practical advice Ola gives to refugees living in Greece is to seek support and guidance from local organizations. “My first step was to go to the Blue Refugee Centre. They helped me there.” While Ola received a job offer at a hotel this summer, she continues to pursue her big dream of becoming a real estate agent. 

On their part, the employers who participated in the discussions expressed their gratitude to SolidarityNow and UNHCR for their initiatives aimed at promoting the employability of refugees. Although they all mentioned the administrative obstacles that undermine and often hinder the hiring process of refugees and asylum seekers, they praised the skills and professional ethics of refugee colleagues in Greece, which, as they explained, was the reason they participated in the event because they are interested in hiring even more. 

“The company bus that transports workers to the construction site never had to wait for more than five minutes. They never neglected safety measures. They always had a positive attitude,” said a representative of a company operating in the construction sector during his speech, praising the excellent work ethic of refugee colleagues. 

During the job fair, the UNHCR also presented the Adama Job-Matching Platform, a useful tool designed by UNHCR and Catholic Relief Services that connects refugees seeking employment in Greece with potential employers across the country. 

The event was honored by the presence and participation of the Deputy Mayor for Social Policy, Solidarity, and Welfare of the Municipality of Thessaloniki, Mr. Efthymios Chatzitheoklitos, and the Deputy Mayor for Social Protection & Equality, Employment, Vocational Orientation and Volunteering & Health Promotion of the Municipality of Neapolis-Sykies, Ms. Irini Kagkavini. Both local officials praised the long and constructive cooperation with UNHCR and its partners in promoting the integration of refugees through the implementation of innovative programs. 

Notes for editors: 

– 279 refugees and asylum seekers of 29 nationalities participated in the job fair 

– 212 men and 67 women participated 

– 15 employers looking for staff also participated in the event 

– 15 employers and employers of job seekers were also invited to participate 

– So far 234 jobs have been offered and 148 offers have been accepted 

– According to a survey conducted by SolidarityNow in 2022, 65% of refugee women respondents said they seek recognition of their professional experience, certificates and diplomas, while 63% expressed the need to study in Greece and work in a friendly and safe working environment. 

*SolidarityNow’s “Blue Refugee Centre” operates in Thessaloniki in cooperation with UNHCR and UNICEF in order to support refugees and asylum seekers by providing a range of services that facilitate their integration. You can read more information here. 

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