Refugee and Migration Studies Hub

As our Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School in collaboration with the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights comes to an end, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all participants, speakers and contributors. Your energy, thoughts, and ideas have made these three weeks unforgettable.

Thank you for your participation and for making this journey so impactful.

Safe travels, and stay inspired!

As we wrap up the final week of our Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School in collaboration with the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights, here are some key highlights from our time in Mytilene:

- Simulation Exercise: Prepared for and executed a hands-on sea rescue simulation of arriving refugees and their initial reception, led by Dr. Agis Terzidis, Ms. Eleni Panagiota (Elda) Stoupa, and Dr. Zoi Leivaditou from the MSc. Global Health - Disaster medicine, Medical School, NKUA.
- Guided Visit to Reception and Identification Center (RIC) Mavrovouni, followed by an in-depth debriefing session.
- Community Engagement: Visited the village of Skamnia for discussions with local fishermen who acted as first responders in order to understand the impact of migration flows on local communities. Ms Kleio Chatzidaniil from the Mayor’s Office (Mytilene) discussed the impact of migration flows on local communities, while Ms. Eirini Gerogli (IOM - UN Migration) presented the IOM Greece Medical Projects.
- Cultural Integration: Met with Mr. Mahmoud, a Syrian Doctor that turned refugee & restaurant owner in Mytilene, who shared his experiences of integrating into Greek society.

Stay tuned for the farewell post as we conclude this enriching journey!

Μεταδιδακτορική Υποτροφία ΙΚΥ- Ευρωπαϊκό Πανεπιστημιακό Ινστιτούτο Φλωρεντίας Μεταδιδακτορική Υποτροφία ΙΚΥ- Ευρωπαϊκό Πανεπιστημιακό Ινστιτούτο Φλωρεντίας : Το Ίδρυμα Κρατικών Υποτροφιών (Ι.Κ.Υ.) προκηρύσσει μια (1) θέση υποτροφίας, διάρκεια....

After an interesting week of classes in Athens and a team-building weekend in Ancient Olympia, the 2024 cohort moved on to the Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece, Harvard University for the second week of the Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School in collaboration with the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights. Below is a recap of last week’s key highlights before we continue our journey in Mytilene for the last week of the program:

Tuesday: Focused on access to health and quality medical and psychosocial services in camps led by Dr. Evika Karamagioli, Ms. Eleni Panagiota (Elda) Stoupa, and Dr. Agis Terzidis from the MSc. Global Health - Disaster medicine, Medical School, NKUA. We also learned about labor migration with insights from Professors Brenda Yeoh (Asian Research Institute) and Noora Lori (Boston University).

Wednesday: Explored issues of discrimination and racism with Professor Maria -Daniella Marouda (ECRI, Council of Europe) and Mr. NASRUDDIN NIZAMI (Coordinator, First Reception and Interpretation Unit, Greek Council for Refugees).

Thursday: Covered ecological (im)mobilities with Professor Umut Yildirim (Geneva Graduate Institute) and middle-class nation-building through immigration with Professor Elke Winter (University of Ottawa). The day included discussions on critical refugee studies by Professor Khatharya Um (University of California, Berkeley) and Refugee entrepreneurship by Mr. Dalton T. Sirmans and ended with a movie night featuring "Peace by Chocolate" followed by a discussion with Mr. Tareq Hadhad, Syrian refugee and founder-CEO of Peace by Chocolate.

Friday: Focused on communication and cultural narratives, language, and media with Professor George Pleios (NKUA) and journalists Mr. Giorgos Christides (ARD), Mr. Stratis Aggelis, Ms. Daphne Tolis, and Mr. Apostolos Staikos. We concluded the week with an unforgettable performance of Aristophanes' play "Plutus" at the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.

Stay tuned as we continue our updates live from Mytilene!

🙏🏼

An inspiring team-building weekend in Ancient Olympia! 🌿

From exploring the historic grounds of the original Olympic Games to visiting the women's and children's asylum seekers facility in Pyrgos, our Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School participants came into contact with history, nature, culture, and humanitarianism during the past weekend.

A week full of classes and activities has already started at the Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece, Harvard University.

After an engaging week of classes in Athens and a team-building weekend in Ancient Olympia, the 2024 cohort heads to Nafplio for the second week of the Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School. Here is a recap of the first week’s key highlights:

-Tuesday: Exploration of fundamental concepts of migration in international and European law with Professor Diego Acosta (University of Bristol Law School Nebrija University, Madrid), Professor vassilis hatzopoulos (Panteion University, College of Europe), Professor Sawsan Abdulrahim (Harvard University) and Mr. Amal de Chickera (Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion);

-Wednesday: Presentations by Mrs. Nuala Mole (Aire Center) on externalization, Professor Irini Papanicolopulu (SOAS University of London) and Mrs. Eva Tzavala (GNCHR) on migration at sea, followed by a discussion with former Minister of Migration, Mr. Keridis;

-Thursday: Guided visit to the Malakasa Reception and Identification Center (RIC) and discussion with the Deputy Director of the RIC, followed by a reflection session;

-Friday: Focus on vulnerability in migratory flows, children and youth as migrants (Dr. Vasileia Digidiki, Harvard University), and climate migration (Professor Emmanuella Doussis, NKUA), with insights from young refugees Ms. Negin Torfinezhadian and Mr. Mohebi Mohammad Hadi (General Secretariat of Vulnerable Persons & Institutional Protection).

Stay tuned for updates, live from the Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece, Harvard University!

Thank you for hosting us!

Την Πέμπτη 11 Ιουλίου είχαμε τη χαρά να φιλοξενήσουμε στους χώρους της Βιβλιοθήκης μας τα μαθήματα του Θερινού Σχολείου για τη Μετανάστευση και τις Προσφυγικές Σπουδές (https://rms.uoa.gr/rms_summer_school/) που διοργανώνεται από τον Κόμβο Αριστείας για το Άσυλο και τη Μετανάστευση, σε συνεργασία με το François-Xavier Bagnoud
(FXB) Center for Health and Human Rights του Harvard University και με την υποστήριξη του Harvard Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece and the U.S.
Πρόκειται για ένα εντατικό, διεπιστημονικό πρόγραμμα μαθημάτων τριών εβδομάδων, το οποίο στοχεύει να φέρει σε επαφή μια διεθνή ομάδα 30 φοιτητών, φοιτητριών και αποφοίτων του ΕΚΠΑ, του Harvard αλλά και πανεπιστημίων όλου του κόσμου για διαλέξεις, σεμινάρια, διαδραστικές συνεδρίες και επιτόπια έρευνα σε θέματα που σχετίζονται με τη σύγχρονη
αναγκαστική μετανάστευση. Οι συμμετέχοντες άκουσαν για την ιστορία του κτηρίου και ενημερώθηκαν για τις υπηρεσίες και τις εξωστρεφείς δράσεις της Βιβλιοθήκης, από την Προϊσταμένη της Βιβλιοθήκης, κα Βασιλική Στρακαντούνα ενώ ξεναγήθηκαν στους χώρους της Βιβλιοθήκης μετά το πέρας των εργασιών τους

We extend our heartfelt thanks to POTAMITISVEKRIS Law Firm and Angelicoussis Foundation for their generous sponsorship of Damla Metin's scholarship for the Summer School on Migration and Refugee Studies, organized by our Hub, in collaboration with the François-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights (FXB) at Harvard University, and supported by the Center for Hellenic Studies in Greece, Harvard University.

This program has provided Damla, a Kurdish political refugee, with an invaluable opportunity to delve into her field of interest. Her unique perspective and experiences have already enriched the course.

We are deeply grateful for your support. Your sponsorship makes a difference!

During the first week of the NKUA-Harvard Summer School on Refugee and Migration Studies, we aimed at providing the participants with the opportunity to engage directly with NGOs in the field of forced migration.

To facilitate this, we organized a comprehensive three-day NGO Fair:

1. In-house Visits:
On Monday and Tuesday, our 30 participants, divided into groups, visited the offices of 13 NGOs and other organizations to gain firsthand knowledge into their essential work.

2. Large Fair:
Today, 4 NGOs visited the premises of NKUA to present their mission, goals, and challenges to all our participants through a group discussion.

We are beyond grateful to Intersos Hellas - Intersos Ελλάδα, Γεύσεις της Δαμασκού - Tastes of Damascus, Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights, Melissa Network, SolidarityNow, Εθνική Επιτροπή για τα Δικαιώματα του Ανθρώπου - ΕΕΔΑ, ΜΕΤΑδραση - METAdrasi, Mission Anthropos, Γιατροί Χωρίς Σύνορα (MSF), Odyssea, Steps, Ινστιτούτο Prolepsis, The HOME Project, IASIS NGO, European Lawyers in Lesvos, and the The AIRE Centre for so kindly hosting the 2024 cohort and providing them with invaluable insights.

🙏

🔵Είχαμε την χαρά να συμμετέχουμε στο Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School 2024 των Πανεπιστημίων ΕΚΠΑ & Harvard και υποδεχτήκαμε στα γραφεία μας 4 μεταπτυχιακούς φοιτητές στο πλαίσιο των δράσεων του Refugee and Migration Studies Hub (https://www.facebook.com/rms.uoa).

Συζητήσαμε για:
➡️τα προγράμματα που υλοποιεί η Intersos Hellas - Intersos Ελλάδα στην Αθήνα αλλά και γενικότερα στην Ελλάδα
➡️τους στόχους των προγραμμάτων Food for All & Protection for All Minors
➡️τις αναδυόμενες προκλήσεις-δυσκολίες και τρόπους αντιμετώπισής τους
➡️τα επιτεύγματα του Οργανισμού

🔷Οι φοιτητές ήρθαν σε επαφή με διάφορες ΜΚΟ και γνώρισαν τη δραστηριότητά τους στον τομέα της αναγκαστικής #μετανάστευσης.

🌟Να ευχηθούμε καλή επιτυχία στους φοιτητές που συμμετέχουν στο ΕΚΠΑ-Harvard Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School 2024.

------------------------------

🔵We had the pleasure of participating in the Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School 2024 of EKPA & Harvard Universities and we welcomed 4 postgraduate students to our offices as part of the Refugee and Migration Studies Hub activities.

We talked about:
➡️the programs implemented by INTERSOS Hellas in Athens and throughout Greece
➡️the goals of the Food for All & Protection for All Minors programs
➡️the emerging challenges-difficulties and ways to deal with them
➡️the Organization's achievements

🔷The students got in contact with various NGOs and learnt about their activity in the field of forced migration.

🌟We wish good luck to the students who participated in the EKPA-Harvard Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School 2024.

The NKUA-Harvard Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School 2024 kicked off this weekend with an exciting start!

The 2024 cohort had the chance to explore Athens through tours of the Ancient Agora, the Acropolis Museum, and the Acropolis Hill.

Today, classes have officially begun, marking the start of an eventful week ahead. Professors Gavouneli (NKUA, ELIAMEP) and Bhabha (Harvard) set the stage, discussing contemporary migration and displacement. Dr. Dimitriadi (ELIAMEP) followed with a comprehensive analysis of the political landscape surrounding migration in Greece. In a thought-provoking session, Professor Doussis (NKUA) and Dr. Digidiki (Harvard) led a discussion on positionality, introducing principles of coexistence and encouraging the sharing of opinions, views, and personal experiences. The first day of classes concluded with an insightful lecture on negotiating with non-state actors by Ms. Sianni (UNHCR).

In the afternoon, participants had the opportunity to visit NGOs and other organizations.

Stay tuned for more insights from our Summer School taking place in Athens, Olympia, Nafplio, and Mytilene from 5-29 July 2024!

To wrap up, it is important for us that participants also find emotional value in our Summer School. Witnessing their strong bonds forming during the program, followed by networking, sharing professional opportunities, participating in events together, and organising reunions across the world, is truly heartening.

Don't miss out on this meaningful experience. Last chance to apply: https://rms.uoa.gr/rms_summer_school/.

During the Summer School, participants not only visit key locations in Greece but also engage in discussions with locals. Last year, participants visited Scamnia, a small fishing village in Northern Lesvos, which served as the main entry point for over 500,000 distressed migrants in 2015. They explored the drivers behind the fishermen’s unwavering solidarity with migrants and discussed the effects of migration policies on small communities.

Submit your application for the 2024 edition now: https://rms.uoa.gr/rms_summer_school/.

Participants in our Summer School have the opportunity to visit refugee camps in mainland Greece and Lesvos, engaging with camp staff and facilities, including discussions with camp directors. We prioritize respect for refugees' daily lives, striving to minimize disruption and discomfort during our visits.

One day left to apply for the 2024 edition: https://rms.uoa.gr/rms_summer_school/.

The simulation activity of our Summer School trains students in assembling first-response teams, setting up emergency scenes, and providing care to rescued migrants. This immersive experience involves local actors, coast guards, fishermen, and NGOs, offering invaluable real-world exposure.

One day left to apply for the 2024 edition: https://rms.uoa.gr/rms_summer_school/.

We appreciate the positive feedback from participants of our Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School!
Here's a testimonial from a participant of the 2023 edition, highlighting their experience with the academic aspect of the course.

Apply now to join us in the 2024 edition: https://rms.uoa.gr/rms_summer_school/

Revisit the 2023 edition of our Summer School through the eyes of some of the participants:
https://youtu.be/pi_M0uhQIUM?si=NPtMIEMWhtWJIyXR

⏳LAST CHANCE to be part of the 2024 edition of the NKUA-Harvard Summer School on Migration and Refugee Studies.
Applications close on Friday, 29th of March.

Apply now!

Intensive Summer FXB Course on Migration and Refugee Studies in Greece - July 2023 Revisit the FXB Center's 2023 intensive summer course on Migration in Refugee Studies in Greece through the eyes of some of the course participants. The cour...

📣 DEADLINE EXTENSION until Friday, 29th of March!
‼️ Apply here: https://rms.uoa.gr/rms_summer_school/.
Don’t miss it!

rms.uoa.gr We bring together our knowledge, experience and expertise in addressing refugee and migratory flows in their infinite variety

It has been an immense honour and a genuine pleasure to be invited to teach a special course on Energy in International Law at The Hague Academy of International Law. Thank you for the experience!

1991 to 2024: quite a journey…

‼️ APPLICATION DEADLINE EXTENSION

In response to the overwhelming interest in the Summer Course on Migration and Refugee Studies, we are extending the application deadline to ensure all prospective candidates have sufficient time to apply.

📆 New application deadline: 22/1.

More information can be found here: https://rms.uoa.gr/rms_summer_school/. Should you have any inquiries, please reach out to summerschool-rms.uoa.gr.

The Refugee and Migration Studies Hub of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens in cooperation with the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, and with the support of the Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University in Greece and the US, is offering a three-week, intensive and rights-based course on migration and refugee studies.

The multidisciplinary curriculum draws upon the legal, political, medical, and communication aspects of the phenomenon of migratory flows, through lectures, seminars, and hands-on fieldwork.

📆 5 - 28 July 2024
📍 Athens, Olympia, Nafplio and Lesvos /Greece
👤 Open to all students enrolled in universities worldwide, including undergraduate, graduate students, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, as well as young scholars and practitioners, seeking to deepen their understanding of migration and contribute meaningfully to this evolving field. We also welcome applications from refugees or asylum seekers residing in Greece.

Applications are now open. More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e4w357un. For any inquiries, please contact: [email protected].

https://hub.uoa.gr/en/workshop-on-life-precarity-and-futurity-in-time-of-the-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR1NUBZy3nSLEsVibVY3N3RVmRW9aTryzv0bPE4totujN3In5BQ-0ioL06c

Workshop on “Life, Precarity, and Futurity in time of the Pandemic: Health, Democracy and the Experiences of Immigrant and Refugee Communities in Europe during and after COVID” On Monday 18 December 2023, the Institute of European Integration and Policy of the NKUA in collaboration with the Institute of European Studies of the UC Berkeley organized a workshop on “Life, Precarity, and Futurity in time of the Pandemic: Health, Democracy and the Experiences of Immigrant and...

The Refugee and Migration Studies Hub of the National & Kapodistrian University of Athens in cooperation with the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, and with the support of the Center for Hellenic Studies, Harvard University in Greece and the US, is offering a three-week, intensive and rights-based course on migration and refugee studies.

The multidisciplinary curriculum draws upon the legal, political, medical, and communication aspects of the phenomenon of migratory flows, through lectures, seminars, and hands-on fieldwork.

📆 5 - 28 July 2024
📍 Athens, Olympia, Nafplio and Lesvos /Greece
👤 Open to all students enrolled in universities worldwide, including undergraduate, graduate students, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, as well as young scholars and practitioners, seeking to deepen their understanding of migration and contribute meaningfully to this evolving field. We also welcome applications from refugees or asylum seekers residing in Greece.

Applications are now open. More information can be found here: https://lnkd.in/e4w357un. For any inquiries, please contact: [email protected].

Πανσέληνος σε κινεζικό τοπίο…

Today I had the great privilege to be invited to the most exclusive club in town: the women ambassadors posted in Athens. Thank you for a delightful afternoon talking about human rights, gender, corruption, justice and everything else under the sun! Εθνική Επιτροπή για τα Δικαιώματα του Ανθρώπου - ΕΕΔΑ Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών - University of Athens Hellenic Foundation for European & Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP)

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the NGOs that participated in the Refugee and Migration Studies Summer School organized by the RMSHub in cooperation with the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University. The NGO Fair provided a valuable platform for NGOs to showcase their remarkable work addressing migration challenges.

NGO representatives exchanged ideas and experiences with our summer school participants who came from diverse backgrounds. This exchange fostered a greater understanding of the complex issues surrounding migration and reaffirmed the importance of collaborative efforts in promoting positive change.

Thank you to all the participating NGOs for shaping a better world for displaced and vulnerable populations!!

The AIRE Centre Médecins du Monde Greece - Γιατροί του ΚόσμουυΓιατροί Χωρίς Σύνορα (MSF))Refugee Week GreeceeΙνστιτούτο ProlepsissThe HOME ProjecttAmna - formerly Refugee Trauma InitiativeeΕλληνικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες - Greek Council for RefugeessHIAS GreeceeStepssIntersos Hellas - Intersos Ελλάδαα

Conclusion of ASCOLA Conference 2023 in Athens We are delighted to inform you that the ASCOLA Conference 2023 has successfully concluded its works at the premises of our University located in the city of Athens!

It was a great pleasure to have Hadi and Negin today with us!