Category Archives: Refugee Support

“How to Accompany Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants?”

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (28): a training course offered by IICoS in France

Nadine Lyamouri-Bajja, one of the workshop facilitators at the upcoming #RefugeeResponseSeminar hosted by the Danish Guides and Scouts and supported by the European Scout Region and WOSM’s Messengers of Peace initiative, and her colleague Barbara Pelkmann are organising an International Training Seminar on “How to Accompany Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Migrants?”.

The Course is proposed as a direct repsonse to challenges faced by professionals and volunteers of many institutions, associations and public services confronted with the continuous arrival of refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in Europe. It aims at developing intercultural competences and strengthening skills in diversity management. Participants will return home with a better understanding of how best to council and support refugees, asylum seekers and migrants during their arrival and integration process.

Details about this International Training Seminar are available in English, French and German, the three course languages.

Greek Guides in “Eleonas Refugee Camp” in Athens

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (27): a story from SHO- The Greek Guiding Association.

The Greek Guiding Association, faithful to the values of the Guide Promise and Law, has been actively involved from the very beginning in the relief efforts of the Refugee crisis in Greece. They started by collecting clothes, shoes and toys in good condition as well non-perishable food, blankets, sleeping bags etc. These are being delivered to islands such as Lesvos and Kos, and also to the new “Eleonas Refugee Camp” in Athens. In Athens, where more and more refugees and irregular migrants are being transported from the boarders the situation is difficult to manage and the authorities cannot cope without the help of volunteers. In the “Eleonas Refugee Camp”, where refugees stay for a short period before continuing their journey north, The Guides took responsibility to organize and run on a daily basis the clothes distribution. They also helped design and set up a safe playing space for children from 0 to 12 and  young leaders and Rangers organise playgroups for the children. During the weekends, they interact with over 100 children by using simple forms of communication and sign language.

Read the full story here, here and here .

If you are involved in a similar refugee support activity in your local community, let us know and we will share it, too: just complete this form!

Regional Circular 21 2015 – #RefugeePesponseSeminar 2015: Invitation & Programme

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Not just since this summer we have been witnessing one of the biggest migrant crises in Europe. Hundreds of thousands of refugees fleeing wars and migrants escaping poverty have arrived in the Europe in an unprecedented wave. Migrants and refugees streaming into Europe from Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia have presented European countries with a huge challenge.

The European Scout Region is present and supports National Scout Organisation (NSOs) and National Scout Associations (NSAs) responding in whatever way they choose to act; directly or indirectly increasing awareness about the forcibly displaced and stateless, as well as easing and relieving their staying in the countries they pass through.

The RefugeeResponseSeminar 2015 is one of the many attempts to respond to the refugee and migrant crisis. It is organised by The Danish Scouts and Guides with the support of the European Scout Region and the Messengers of Peace initiative. It is a seminar which will help participants understand the current situation in Europe, understand how to better work with and support the migrants and refugees in cooperation with the local communities and partners, share project ideas and set a concrete idea for a project and plan of action.

– Regional Circular 21 2015 – Cover Letter (English, French)
– Regional Circular 21 2015 – #RefugeePesponseSeminar 2015: Invitation & Programme (English only)

Lend a hand in South Aegean islands

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (26): a story from SHO – The Greek Guiding Association

The Greek Guiding units on the island of Kos and on other Dodecanese islands in the southeastern Aegean Sea, have been helping in the distribution of supplies to recently arrived refugees and also in interacting with their young children. “Children are the same everywhere; you do not need to know the language to play with them. It feels good to be able to offer them a smile, a way to forget the images they have witnessed and just be carefree, be children again” says a Young Leader from Kos.

During, the weekend the Greek Guides units from the islands of Kos, Rhodes and Leros joined together to help in three major ways: One team organised playgroups to play, sing and make crafts with the children. Another team helped in the cleaning of the shores or of other important places in the town and also, in the distribution of food and clothing. A third team collected and sorted the clothing, in order to help the “Kos solidarity” organisation.

The smiles of these people remain our inspiration to continue lending a hand and make real our Guiding Promise.

Read the full story here and here

 

If you are involved in a similar refugee support activity in your local community, let us know and we will share it, too: just complete this form!

No matter where you come from we will lend you a hand

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Scouts and Guides contributing to refugee support activities in their local communities in Europe (25): a story from ZSKSS – Slovenian Catholic Girl Guides and Boy Scouts Association

In the wake of the refugee crisis the Slovenian Catholic Girl Guides and Boy Scouts Association didn’t waste any time in forming a national entity to help the refugees. The entity was formed by Jan Šavly, Andreja Grkman and Nina Maležič. Ana Špes helped with public relations and Luka Novak was the line between the Guide and Scouts and the Civil protection.

The group organized more than 100 volunteers that helped in Brežice, Gornja Radgona, Gruškovje, Lendava, Vrhnika, Logatec, Ljubljana and other locations across the country. They worked together with the Civil protection, aiding them by erecting army tents, beds, tables and flagstones. They are also prepared to help the Red-cross and Caritas if needed. A programme is currently being developed for families and their children that arrive at some of the refugee centers especially to Debeli Rtič where young families would be relocated.

A spokesperson for ZSKSS – Slovenian Catholic Girl Guides and Boy Scouts Association reported that <Groups from all over the country participated and we are immensely proud of their effort to the cause. Most of the volunteers are of age and are setting an good example for their younger guide/scout brothers and sisters. We live by the oath we swear before we are handed our neckerchiefs. That is not something we take lightly and if someone needs our help we believe it’s our duty to help no matter where he or she comes from.>

Read the full story here .

If you are involved in a similar refugee support activity in your local community, let us know and we will share it, too: just complete this form!