Tearing down walls – empowering migrants and refugee women living in Europe

Consultation event on the initial outcomes of project WEMIN

On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall was torn down within a day and the division of the German capital ended. Almost thirty years later, November 9, 2018 was selected as the day to promote the activities of project WEMIN: Migrant Women Empowerment and Integration, which also aim to "bring down" the symbolic "walls" that hinder full integration of migrant and refugee women into European cities and the building of inclusive societies.

In this context, Hellenic Open University - DAISSy Research Group and Olympic Training and Consulting Ltd. organized a presentation and consultation event on the initial results of the WEMIN project on Friday, November 9, 2018 at the premises of HOU in Athens. The event was attended by representatives of organizations and associations active in the broader field of immigration policy and related practices that aim at combating stereotypes and discrimination and at the effective empowerment and social integration of migrant and refugee women. The event was organized simultaneously in Athens and Strasbourg, aiming to maximize awareness of stakeholders and citizens.

Initially the activities and first outcomes of the project were presented by the Scientific Director Dr. Achilles Kameas, Professor with HOU and Head of the DAISSy Research Group, and the principal researcher of the project Dr. Aspasia Theodosiou, Professor of TEI of Epirus and member of DAISSy. Dr. Nikolaos Sarris, researcher with the National Centre for Social Research, presented the legal framework for dealing with discriminations. Then, Mrs. Polina Konodiakoukou from Olympiaki Training and Consulting Ltd. presented the Guide of good practices for the integration of immigrant women and refugees, together with proposals for transferring the practices in our country.

The second part of the event consisted of three panels focusing on Health, Employment and Social Inclusion, during which consultation took place on another important outcome of the project, the Guide for Policy Makers. The exchange of views during the discussion was dense and the conclusions will be recorded and incorporated as an Annex to the Guide, aiming at capitalizing on the results. The event was honored with the presence of Dr. Giorgos Tsimouris, Professor of Panteion University and Vice President of the Managing Board of HOU.

WEMIN is a two-year project funded by the European Union's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Its partnership includes organizations from eight EU member states (Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Germany and Sweden). The project is co-ordinated by the HOU DAISSy Research Group.In Greece, the project's actions are being implemented in Athens in collaboration with the partner Olympic Training & Consulting Ltd. .

Project activities are in full swing, including training, counseling sessions, learning through experience and artistic activities. From this perspective, they enhance the smooth integration of migrant and refugee women into the European cities where they live, enabling them to play a leading role and act as integration multipliers within their families and their circle of contacts. At the same time, these actions offer opportunities to stimulate dialogue, intercultural relations and exchanges, while an online platform is used to promote learning and networking, thus enhancing the development of digital skills by the participating women.

You can keep up-to-date with the results of the WEMIN project by visiting the website www.wemin-project.eu

For more information, please send an email to addresses info@daissy.eap.gr και olykek@olympiakokek.gr