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Social Café workshop, took place on Thursday 10th September, in the British Council in Athens. Our social cafe workshop brought together NGO representatives, representatives of immigrant organisations, students, immigrants, academics and researchers to an open discussion about cross-cultural dialogue and how this can become reality in Greece. The main conclusion of the night was the need to create communication bridges, by undertaking specific initiatives which will aim at bringing together the cultures that coexist within the Greek society. Another of the night's highlights was the discussion on the need to give equal rights to immigrant children who have been born and raised in Greece. Carriers of different cultures, second and third generation children of immigrant may be considered as a medium of successfully promoting cross- cultural dialogue within society.
The discussion was opened by Ms. Voula Papagianni from the Centre of Cross- cultural Studies of the University of Athens, who explained the meaning of cross-cultural dialogue in our days. Later on, Ms. Maria Voutsinou, representing the Greek Ombudsman explained the role of the Ombudsman, as well as the institutional frame for immigrants in Greece and the issue of citizenship. Young Marianthi Ibogu participated in the discussion, and shared her personal experience on how the current institutional frame makes the lives of immigrant children difficult, since they do not have equal opportunities with their Greek peers, despite the fact that they have been born and raised here.
Commenting on the issue, Ms. Sonia Mitralia from the movement “No racism from baby‘s cot” said “it is a major matter of values which leads to the creation of outcasts inside the Greek society”. Ms Mitralia contained that a solution will be found when all young people, immigrants and locals become actively involved.
Ms. Zina Razi, Member of the Municipal Council of Kaisariani , talked about the role of local authorities and referred to her Municipality’s symbolic initiative to enlist in their records little Kukua, an immigrant child born in Greece. “Baby Kukua was laughing during the event in Kaisariani. Her small laughs will turn into tears, when she turns 18 and becomes aware of the stark reality that immigrant children face in Greece”.
In the second part of the discussion, Ms. Olga Tsakiridi from EKKE Social Research Institute referred to EKKE's research findings in recent years and highlighted the necessity of creating bridges between the different cultures in the Greek society.
Mr. Santi Ayubi presented the site of www.islam.gr, one of the few websites “in simple Greek” which aim at promoting the understanding of Islam. Mr. Vasilis Chronopoulos, representing the web magazine ”Diavatirio” mentioned that for any cross-cultural dialogue to succeed, it is necessary that “both sides conversing, do so in equal terms”.
Finally, young Nikodimos Maina Kinioua, talked about the initiative of “Asante” team to communicate the African culture to the Greek society, asserting this way the right to a peaceful coexistence, ‘by doing things that we enjoy’, like art, music and free speech.
All participants and the audience agreed to create a network of contacts in order to exchange perceptions, ideas and initiatives under which a similar dialogue will be continued in the future.
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