Erasmus+ KA1 staff mobility 2016

“Southern European migrant dilemmas: better integration methods”

Itaka training is the host partner and course provider of a KA1 staff mobility project promoted by our UK partner Kairos Europe.

Thanks to the project we hosted 15 participants from the UK for a 7-day training in Calabria. The participants were professionals working with migrants and refugees in different sectors: from housing to mental health, employment, social inclusion, education and so on.

This workshop helped the participants gain a greater understanding of issues that affect non-EU migrants and people with disadvantaged backgrounds when integrating within European cities. In response to the various critical events affecting European countries; the focus on the workshop was not only based on being able to communicate effectively with people of different backgrounds but gaining ‘hands-on’ practical skills of working to better the lives of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Throughout the workshop, teaching and learning, panel discussions, activities, networking and sharing of ideas in relation to intercultural interactions took place. Moreover, the participants had the opportunity to visit the village of Riace and speak to its Mayor Mr Domenico Lucano who is know worldwide for the amazing work he is doing to promote inclusion of refugees in Riace. The participants had also the opportunity to visit several refugees centres in Reggio Calabria thanks to father Mioli and suor  Lina. Finally, they visited 2 other refugees projects run by Caritas in Lamezia and Maida.