UNICA Student Conference 2017, Rome 4-7 October 2017 Helping the refugees: The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens students experience Athina Dimopoulou Associate Professor, Law School MoB, International Relations Committee
A multiple crisis O The refugee crisis represents a global challenge. O Greece is one of the Mediterranean countries that has received and continues to receive great numbers of refugees. O Although Greece has experienced a deep economic crisis and recession over a number of years, we strongly believe we have a duty to cultivate the values of humanity, solidarity, democracy, peaceful coexistence and respect for humanitarian law and international refugee conditions.
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Observatory Network of solidarity and support for the refugees The University comes from society, for the benefit of which it produces science, ideas, ethics. It forms scientists who have a duty to give back and contribute to the social fabric. This indirect contribution to society must be strengthened by direct expressions of support, especially in times of crisis, by assisting the state mechanism. In this spirit, the UoA has developed a number of actions for the refugees, involving also its students.
Our actions have been developed on three levels: 1. At the academic-research level, including state-of-the-art surveys, regarding aspects of the refugee crisis. 2. At the educational level, offering special courses and internships with beneficiaries both our students and the refugees as final recipients. 3. In the field, with voluntary interventions in cooperation with the Greek State, municipal administration, volunteers and NGO s.
Voluntary services network We have activated students, faculty members and administrative personnel to offer voluntary services in several fields. We have established a Solidarity Network among members of the Academic community (physicians, psychologists, educators, students, administrative staff), offering their services in the Hot Spots and the Relocation Hubs as volunteers. An online platform was created to record all volunteer activities of the members of the university community in order to better organize future actions, as well as to record requests to the University by third parties.
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Observatory-Solidarity Network for the Refugees Project Groups: O Collection of Data, Communication and Information: O O O O O O O O O Monitoring, recording and informing the University community on the refugee issue through the Greek and foreign daily press Psychological Intervention/Support Education and training Recording and Image and Speech Testimonies Medical and Pharmaceutical Intervention/Support Material & Logistics Support Dental Care Cultural Activities Translation Services: a team of volunteers assisting in communication / interpretation. Liaison with the Government and Administration.
Field actions O The Post Graduate Program International Medecine Health Crisis Management of the School of Medecine of the UoA, in collaboration with the NGO «Médecins du Monde». O Has formed mobile units providing health services to refugees and immigrants. O Has organized on islands several training seminars. Training of the UoA personnel and students who come into contact with the drama of refugees. Basic training course in emergency airway management, life support, and heavy-wound / injured transduction. Acute Dental Pain Treatment Center for Refugees. Psychosocial support for refugees.
Students of the UoA have been trained and took part in refugee salvation missions
Also learned to speak to the press
The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Observatory-Solidarity Network for the Refugees The Pedagogical Departments of the University of Athens support the children hosted at the Hospitality Centers of Attica and regularly organize creative activities. Specialists and students from the Department of Music Studies organize musical activities and musical games for children.
Pedagogical and Social Intervention of the School of Education, Department of Early Childhood Education in the Open Structure of Refugee Hosted in Eleonas O 40 students O 2 times a week O 2 hours of intervention each time O 30-50 children aged 5-14 years O Pedagogic activities through play aimed at defusing stress of refugee children and creating a stable framework. O Teaching elements of Greek and English through play
Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Museum Activities O 35 refugee children are transported twice a week to an Elementary School of Athens and together with the children of the school they attend animation activities organized by the museum departments of Athens: O Byzantine Museum O Benaki Museum O Ceramics Museum O Museum of Folk Art Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Students of the UoA offer their support in the first days of refugee children's integration into public schools. Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Training through experiential workshops from the UoA intervention team to students of other universities to prepare them for the corresponding actions. Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki, training of 70 students Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
University of the Aegean - Mytilene Preparation of 35 students to volunteer in the Kara Tepe refugee camp Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Το Κοινωνικό Έργο του ΕΚΠΑ: 180 χρόνια προσφοράς
Student volunteer groups help in the selection of clothes/shoes
Medical and Emergency Supplies from the UoA for the Refugees O Campaigns for collection of medicines and non perishable and food supplies in the University Schools, Faculties and premises had a very high response. O In the last action, about 700 boxes were collected, the goods were delivered to Refugee Camps, in cooperation with the Municipality of Athens and the Municipality of Zografou.
Medecine Students O The UoA collected a total of approximately 3,500 medical products from more than 500 different categories. O Volunteer students of the Medical School helped record different medicaments. O The items are given to hospitality structures with which volunteer healthcare teams of the UoA are in contact and cooperation.
Creation of a Volunteer Group of 2nd Year Medical Students sorting and recording medical supplies
Distribution of Medecine Region of Attica, NGO PRAKSIS Doctors of the World Reception Center Eleonas Center for Immigrants Moria Lesvos MYRSINI Village,Peloponissos Agricultural Hospital of Psarra island
Education O The UoA has acquired extensive know-how in the fields related to Refugees and migratory flows. O A Post Graduate Program is dedicated to International Medecine Health Crisis Management O A Post Graduate Program is dedicated to Environmental, Disaster and Crisis Management Strategies.
Students can learn about: O Monitoring of refugee flows with satellite data analysis O O O O O systems, remote sensing and sophisticated software. Safe settlements and places of residence regarding the occurrence of geodynamic and atmospheric hazards (topographical changes, landslide phenomena, flood flows, flash floods, severe weather phenomena, mass instability, lateral spreading, seismic phenomena, tsunami, technological accidents, NaTech, etc.). Safe premises and facilities in terms of soil and construction response. Environmental impact of refugee camps. Planning of infrastructure projects in reception areas. Crisis management in refugee camps.
Crisis as an opportunity for students of the UoA O To cultivate humanitarian values and generosity, as active members of the society. O To develop initiative, team spirit, organizational skills. O To acquire valuable practical experience on the field of their studies. O To acquire special knowledge and knowhow in refugee crisis management.