PASSI Study Visit to Greece Theme: Reception Conditions Reception Centres 15-19 February 2006 1 Description 1.1 Objectives / Programme / Participants List This visit, under the theme Reception Conditions, was the first one of the transnacional partnership PASSI Prepare Asylum Seekers and Society for Integration, funded by EQUAL II 1. The visit was hosted by the Development Partnership (DP) AKTINERGIA (Greece). It was attended by a delegation of 11 people: 6 from Italy (Ferrara / Ragazzo - Project Orizzonti) and 5 from Portugal (Lisbon - Project VIAAS). The visit lasted 5 days: 3 working days and 2 travelling days (programme and participants list attached). Participants in the Visit In the DP AKTINERGIA participate institutions with recognised experience and know-how in subjects that are related with the reception and social integration of asylum seekers (AS), the fighting of discriminations and the promotion of equal opportunities in the labour market. In the DP AKTINERGIA participate: Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) International Organisations Local authorities, of places where will be developed the actions. Centres for vocational training Social Partners Institutions of Higher Education Research Centres Representative institutions of asylum seekers (AS) 1 Programme funded by the European Social Fund and National funds, from each EU country.
The objectives for the visit set out by AKTINERGIA were: To get more familiar with the Greek DP and the working plan for the next two years; To compare models of minimum acceptable standards regarding the living conditions of the people staying inside reception centres; To be informed about: 1. The process of social and professional integration of AS; 2. The difficulties in accessing the labour market for the AS; 3. The mechanisms, counselling and education procedures which exist in the Temporary Accommodation Centres for AS; 4. The role of the Reception and Temporary Accommodation Centres as centres of support of the social and professional integration of asylum seekers; 5. The services offered to asylum seekers, including health care, psycho-social and legal support; To transfer knowledge, working methods and good practices among participants of the national DP s who are working in the reception centres; To discuss the development and the distribution of models of multicultural activities and awareness raising of common opinion (examples/experiences from all the countries that participate in the study visit). 2
HOUR/ DAY Wednesday 15/2/2006 ARRIVALS HOUR 09:30 12:00 12:30 14:30 Thursday 16/2/2006 Welcome meeting at the Headquarters of the Hellenic Red Cross. Meeting with the National Partners of the Development Partnership Aktinergia. Aims and Objectives of the DP. Short presentation, from the TN Partners, about the conditions for Reception and Integration of A.S ( Italy and Portugal). Visit to the National Foundation of Youth. > Data base ESTIA HOUR 09:00 13:30 Friday 17/2/2006 Visit to the Refugee Center of Hellenic Institute of Solidarity and Cooperation HOUR 08:00 Launch Around 18:00-20:00 back to Athens Saturday Sunday 18/2/2006 19/2/2006 Visit to the camp of DEPARTURES Sperxeiada for the temporary accommodation of asylum seekers, running from Hellenic Red Cross > This center, at Sperxeiada (north of Athens around 250klm) has capacity maximum of 200 persons, was established in December 2002 funded by the Health and Social Solidarity Ministry, and runs by the Hellenic Red Cross 15:00 17:00 17:00-19:00 LUNCH 14:00-16:30 Visit to the Branch Office for 16:30 Greece of the U.N.H.C.R. 18:00 > Detention Centers LUNCH Visit to the Multifunctional Center of Social Support and Integration of Refugees of Hellenic Red Cross 22:00 Greek night -Dinner
PARTICIPANTS LIST NAME COUNTRY PROFESSION ORGANIZATON Diego Benatti ITALY Director (Orizzonti Project Leader) Ecipar Ferrara (Vocational Training Agency) Maria Giovanna ITALY Town Councillor for Social Town Council of Ferrara Cuccuru Services Roberto Cassoli ITALY Manager of the town Town Council of Ferrara councillorship for Social Services Andrea Benini ITALY Manager of the Centre of Integrated Services for Provincial Administration of Ferrara Immigration Giuseppe Sarti ITALY Vice Director Città del Ragazzo (Vocational Training Agency) Marcello De Felice ITALY Member of the Active Service Staff of Orizzonti Città del Ragazzo (Vocational Training Agency Dora Estoura PORTUGAL Social Worker Portuguese Refugee Council Julieta Martins PORTUGAL Social Worker Head of the Social Emergency Unit of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa Regina Almeida PORTUGAL Social Worker Social Emergency Unit of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa Maria José Costa PORTUGAL Trainer(Training Center for the Restaurants/Hotels Sector) Centro Formação Profissional para o Sector Alimentar Julieta Santos PORTUGAL Social Worker Centro Distrital de Segurança Social de Lisboa (Social Security Service for the Region of Lisbon)
1.2 General Remarks 2 It was relevant to have as the theme for the first visit Reception Conditions since it s step one for the integration of AS. It was felt to be important to understand how countries that receive very high numbers of asylum seekers deal with the reception and integration of this group. Finally it was stressed the importance of exchanging experiences at the transnational level. There should be minimum standards in what regards reception and integration, namely housing, religious pluralism, family protection, education, freedom of expression, right to work, access to health care and legal protection. Good reception practices also mean to be aware of prejudices, direct or indirect discrimination and exclusion. It was noted the warm welcome of the host partners and also the excellent preparation in what regards sending out of background information. 1.3 Expectations DP Orizzonti (Italy) To compare the Italian reality with another European reality, felt to be similar; To find some operative hints useful for integration and reception actions; To share good practices on: reception centres organisation; supporting actions for the asylum seekers; managing of social workers and planning of the activities; To know the Greek operational approach to social integration of AS; To visit personally going experiences : it was appreciated the possibility to visit a functioning reception centre; To talk with AS; To find multilingual documents, regulations, etc; To evaluate eventual critical aspects and to identify resolution strategies; To study the methods used to integrate the AS into the labour market and to empower them; To share quality indicators; To compare the evaluation practices; To analyse the strategies adopted in Greece to grant the basic rights (home, health, food, instruction and work) to the AS. DP VIAAS (Portugal) To exchange experiences with a country/service providers which are more experienced in reception due to the higher number of asylum requests a year; To exchange experiences with organisations dealing with the asylum process and to get to know what kind of co-operation exists among them; To observe how reception centres operate in Greece; To be informed about: 1. Asylum procedure; 2. How do AS get adapted; 3. What is the social situation of AS who are rejected? 4. How do service providers overcome the difficulties of the asylum process? 5. Integration into the labour market; 6. Rights and duties of AS. 2 General remarks from the Portuguese DP VIAAS. 5
1.4 Short Comings In what regards the visit the DP Orizzonti pointed out: 1. Lack of direct testimonies and direct contact with the AS; 2. Too long journey to reach Lamia; 3. Few clearness about the methods used to evaluate the actions towards AS. The DP VIAAS did not identify shortcomings. In what regards the context the DP Orizzonti listed the following negative aspects: 1. Too large decentralisation of the reception centres; 2. Lack of means of transport; 3. Too long time to accomplish the asylum s request; 4. Too low percentage of positive responses; 5. Lack of reception centres on the islands. The DP VIAAS expected better reception conditions in general, namely the living conditions in the reception centres in what regards infra-structures. The Portuguese DP also pointed out that there was lack of planing, in Portugal, in what regarded the tasks of each national partner of VIAAS during the visit. 6
1.5 Reflection on the Benefits of the Visit to: AS PASSI Third parties Identified by DP Orizzonti New perception of what a police approach and an humanitarian approach are; Direct experience of operational practices; Identification of some good practices repeatable in Ferrara; Recognition of the high level of competences held by the working staff; Monitoring system (data base); Analysis of the sensitising strategies towards the local communities about the problem of AS; Analysis of different methods of working insertion and empowerment of the AS; Recognition of the importance of female presence inside of the reception centres that vanishes the role of security guards; Benchmarking / comparison of multicultural and multilingual documents; Growth of the integration between the national partners of Orizzonti; Possibility to create transnational partnerships oriented to develop resolution strategies of the problems concerning AS; Evaluation of the possibility to involve the Italian Red Cross in the local supporting network of the project Orizzonti; Information about United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) role and activities; Exchange of information about the different (Italian, Greek and Portuguese) national situations concerning reception and integration of AS. Identified by DP VIAAS AS Indirect benefits: Provision of a better service by both workers and organisations. Good practices: Networking among service providers assisted by the database ESTIA; To have in the reception centres health care, training facilities and leisure time activities (eg. sports). Bad practices: Infra-structures of the reception centres; AS don t take part in the decision making process. PASSI Direct benefits: To get information and to exchange experiences with partners who are operating in a different context/country; To learn about other ways of doing things; To harmonise practices at the European level. Third Parties: The exchange of knowledge and good practices as well as the use of these good practices by other organisations is leading to an improvement of the work being done (not exclusively with AS but eventually with other disadvantaged groups, eg. database ESTIA as a good practice to be taken). Identified by both DPs To get information and to exchange experiences with partners who are operating in a different context/country; Identification of some good practices repeatable in respective countries (eg. Database ESTIA). 7
2 Comparison Theme Greece (by DP Orizzonti) 3 Italy 4 (by DP Orizzonti) Access Education and Linguistic Literacy Work Isolation and lack in means of transport: difficult integration in the society. Minors and adults are allowed to enter the educational system but often this doesn t happen. Linguistic courses (L2) organised and often attended by AS. Vocational training courses foreseen but not so often organised at national level. AS have access to the labour market 5. However there are difficulties in AS integration due to the decentralisation of the centres, to the lack of means of transport, to having too many requests and to the lack of working places available. Vocational training available inside the reception centres. Proportionality between the number of inhabitants and the number of people hosted in the centre; Putting into effect of local agreements; Adequate means of transport. Minors are allowed to enter the educational system and there are some specific educational programs for foreigner minors not accompanied by adults. Linguistic courses (L2) organised and often attended by AS. Vocational training courses foreseen and organised in Ferrara, also in individual path. Difficulties in AS integration into the labour market due to the same reasons found in Greece. Vocational training labs situated only inside the vocational training agencies. Legal Advice and Legal Aid Legal advice and aid are granted in the visited centres. UNHCR and the Greek Council for Refugees GCR (NGO) very often visit reception and detention centres. Legal advice is granted everywhere but it s not granted the legal aid. Psychological and Social Support UNHCR s critical position and important participation of the Hellenic Red Cross. In the centres visited there were social workers and health assistance was granted but there was a really poor psychological support for torture s victims. UNHCR s very critical position. Actually the psychological support is not foreseen. Objectives to reach in the future: to build a regional network for supporting the torture s victims; to involve into the project the public departments of infantile neuro-psychiatry, mental and general health. Medical Assistance UNHCR s critical position. It s necessary to foresee ordinary screening or preventive care. Medical assistance is granted by the mean of red card. Medical assistance is a sector that needs to be improved. The law grants medical assistance, but actually there are not operational projects. The municipality has foreseen a specific 3 A few points about the situation in Greece have been added to the report by AKTINERGIA, after the visit. This informations aims at giving a more precise picture of the reception conditions in Greece. 4 Thinking about the project of a future reception centre in Ferrara. 5 DP AKTINERGIA noted that with funds of EQUAL I 4 labour offices opened and now, with EQUAL II, 3 others became available. 8
In Lamia s centres work a full time nurse. agreement with the public health service. Support for Vulnerable Targets Sensitising Actions for the Local Communities UNHCR s critical position and important participation of the Hellenic Red Cross. In the visited centres there are specific services dedicated to vulnerable subjects, like minors or pregnant women. Great attention is dedicated to the relationship between the reception centres and the hosting communities and these often lead communities to support the centres. Specific measure of reception foreseen by the law. In the hypothetical future centre in Ferrara vulnerable targets wouldn t be hosted during the start up process. At national level seems not to be big attention to this aspect. In Ferrara we hope to do better! Recreational Activities and Socialisation Some recreational activities are organised in some of the visited centres. Objective: To establish relation with recreational associations and institutes to grant and adequate level of socialisation and distraction to the AS. 9
Theme Greece (by DP VIAAS) 6 Portugal (by DP VIAAS) Detention Centres UNHCR Detention centres exist for those arriving at the islands. AS get information from lawyers of UNHCR and GCR and very often it is easier to apply and get the Red Card at the islands. AS are detained up to a maximum of 3 months and afterwards have to go to Athens on their own means. Sometimes the travel expenses are paid by local organisations, local departments of Red Cross, Ministry of Health or Social Solidarity. It exists a delegation of UNHCR which has been decreased. GCR is the operational partner. Detention centres exist at the airports where the asylum request starts immediately to be analysed. At the airports the first decision has to be given within 48 hours. In the case of being accepted AS are given public transport tickets and a city map to get to the reception centre. Since 1998 it doesn t exist a UNHCR delegation and the Portuguese Refugee Council - PRC (an NGO) is UNHCR operational partner. Funding of Reception Centres Funded by European and national funds and as well with self-funding. Managed by NGOs. Funded by European and national funds. No self-funding. Managed by NGOs. Lodging Access AS stay on average 6 months. The housing conditions have problems in relation to privacy and sanitary. There are heaters and cable TV in each room. Renewable energy is being used. Telephone room available. Reception centres are located on isolated areas which affects integration, namely access to employment, health care, leisure activities and integration in the local communities. AS stay on average 2 months. The infra-structure is quite solid. In the new centre (under construction, to be open in September 2006) there will be rooms for singles, couples and families. This new centre will be accessible to handicap. In the new centre there will be central heating and cooling system. In the actual centre there exists only individual heaters (Winter) and electric fans (Summer). Cable TV in the common room. The new centre will make use of renewable energy. Access to telephone. A telephone card is given. Internet café where a trainer is available two times a week. In Portugal it exists only a reception centre due to the small number of asylum requests (around 100 a year instead of 10.000!). The reception centre is located in the suburbs, in a residential area with public transports available. This allows AS to get better access to services and to the local community. 6 A few points about the situation in Greece have been added to the report by AKTINERGIA, after the visit. This informations aims at giving a more precise picture of the reception conditions in Greece. 10
Meals Provided to AS (prepared in the centre by a cook or delivered by a catering company). In one of the centres AS can choose the dishes. Two daily meals are served. In the arrival day AS eat in a restaurant. Afterwards they are served breakfast and receive money to buy their own food. AS cook themselves the meals, which is good for dietary reasons and also to keep them occupied and independent on this matter. There are 4 periods a day in which the common kitchen can be used. This may be adapted in the case of any special cultural or religious background of AS. Interpreting Team of 1 to 3 persons. Interpreters can be chosen and ordered from a roost, which covers around 40 languages and dialects. Education and Training The access of children and youngsters to the school system is difficult. In the centres there are places for children (inside and open door). Greek language lessons available to different age groups. Access to the school system. In the new centre there will be a kinder garden also available to children of the local community. Portuguese lessons for adults are provided (children and youngsters may as well attend). The groups are divided according to the mother tongue and aptitude to learn Portuguese. The classes are supported by a course available in the Internet and by social and leisure time activities. In the new centre there will be training rooms for vocational training, inside and out doors leisure time places. Presently AS can attend vocational training courses in some vocational centres and schools. Employment Difficult access to jobs due to the reception centres being isolated and to the lack of public transports. Networking of social workers with local organisations tries to find jobs to AS. The Hellenic Red Cross and GCR employ AS. Reception centre is accessible by public transports and support for the monthly ticket is given. Networking among service providers for the purpose of job advise. To place AS as volunteers has also been used as a strategy for getting a job. PRC had already employed refugees/migrants or provided job placements / internships. Legal Support Social Support Legal advise and support at the reception centre. Social support at the reception centre only. Volunteers co-operate in this field. Legal advise and support at both the reception centre and to AS who have already left. Social support at both the reception centre and to AS who have already left. Volunteers (some of them mediators) cooperate in this field. 11
Health Care Heath-care is always available inside the reception and detention centres, with the presence of a nurse or a doctor (from a public health centre). Continued health care free of charge is available after six months, when AS hold the Red Card. Health care is allowed once asylum is requested. It doesn t exist medical care in the reception centre although it is planned for the new one. AS go to the nearest public health centre where they are assisted free of charge. Support to Vulnerable Groups Medicine is free of charge. Vulnerable AS stay in special reception centres till the final answer to the appeal. Since the public health system is not prepared for some special needs, partnerships have been established among service providers in order to assist AS in special treatments, psychological support, etc. Medicine is paid to AS by PRC. Vulnerable persons are accommodated in the same centre. There is a charity organisation (SCML) which assists persons with special needs, independently from the outcome of the asylum process. Awareness Raising in the Local Community Awareness raising targets at finding jobs for AS and funding / sponsors. Opening of the centres to visitors (students, researchers, etc.) and to the media. Meetings with authorities and local organisations (schools, NGO s, etc.). Participation in local events. Staff who works at the reception centre was recruited from the local community. Meetings with authorities and local organisations (schools, NGO s, etc.). Participation in local events. Staff who works at the reception centre was recruited from the local community. AS are placed as volunteers in local organisations. Opening of the centre to visitors (students, researchers, etc.) and to the media. Searching for sponsors and donors. Donation of leftovers to the needed local population. Construction of the new centre which will be partly a community centre. Monthly TV program about asylum and refugees. Networking Establishment of a network of service providers which is operating the database ESTIA. Network of organisations dealing with asylum and refugees (very often). Monthly meeting of service providers working in the social field. Network of organisations dealing with asylum and refugees, which works mostly in the fields of information and awareness raising. Informal local network and participation in the social network of the city council of Loures (where the reception centre is located). 12
Participation of AS Social and Cultural Activities Each two weeks there is a discussion about life in the reception centre. Recruitment of refugees to work in the centres. Places for leisure time activities and sports. Excursions are organised. AS professional in some sports benefit from counselling to get a place in national teams. Spontaneous discussions about life in the reception centre. It existed a consultative group of AS to discuss their problems and possible solutions. AS are asked often about the relevance of the activities and services provided in the reception centre. AS participate in identifying needs and also in some activities. Refugees / migrants had been contracted to work in PRC and job placements / internships have been as well provided. There is a common social room. Excursions and visits are organised in order to create links to the host society and to allow AS socialising among themselves. Organisation of football matches between AS and local teams. Groups of AS are organised to go to see some matches of the Portuguese First League. Theatre group of AS (between 14 and 60 years old). 13
3 Intercultural Practices Encountered Identified by DP Orizzonti Intercultural centre inside the multifunctional centre for social support and integration ; Multilingual telephone line; Sharing of life histories and personal experiences among people coming from different countries; Sensitising initiatives organised by the local communities; Involvement of AS and migrants in the working staff of some reception centres. Identified by DP VIAAS It is a society where it exists interaction among different people and different groups; AS keep some their culture and habits but also take over characteristics of the Greek society; The culture of origin of AS is respected by Greek people (at least by the workers). One example is that often AS dress according to their origin culture and also that meals try to respect habits of the origin countries of AS; Multilingual telephone line, where refugees of different origins are working; There are activities organised with the purpose of showing AS aspects of the Greek culture. Identified by both DP s It exists interaction among different people and different groups; Multilingual telephone line; Involvement of AS and migrants in the working staff. 14
4 Recommendations 7 The recommendations listed underneath are a result of the reflection done after the visit. It doesn t mean that some of the items mentioned were not found in Greece. They are rather a list of conditions, which should be respected in reception centres, and ideas for improvement of the work with AS. Reception Centres: These centres should not be isolated which can cause exclusion; Reception centres should be integrated in local communities where integration can be approached on a holistic way; There should be programs to promote interaction with the local community (social and cultural activities and volunteering) and integration in the labour market; Centres should be planned to guarantee: right to privacy and respect for the cultural background, availability of social places adequate to either children or to adults; Reception centres should include in their services: provision of social, legal and psychological support as well as health care, language tuition, vocational training, leisure time activities, educational activities for children and youngsters; Staff of the centres should empower AS in what regards daily life in the reception centre, in establishing a life project and in searching solutions for their problems. Local Level: To involve local authorities in the searching for solutions for the AS problems ; To raise-awareness for diversity and to combat negative images of refugees; To establish local partnerships aiming at improving integration into the labour market; To carry out researches to better understand the needs of employers in relation to AS. PASSI: To prepare a code of conduct and practices to be followed in reception centres. Written by: George Sykoutris (DP AKTINERGIA) Andrea Benini, Diego Benatti, Giuseppe Sarti, Marcello De Felice, Maria Giovanna Cuccuru, Roberto Cassoli (DP Orizzonti) Dora Estoura, Julieta Martins, Julieta Santos, Maria José Costa e Regina Almeida (DP VIAAS) March 2006 Compiled by: Bárbara Mesquita (DP VIAAS) March 2006 7 By the Portuguese DP VIAAS. 15