INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS

1ST INTERNATIONAL MEETING

The 1st international meeting (kick-off meeting), dealing with the way Europe’s towns and regions could move towards more diverse, equal, and inclusive societies, has been hosted and organized in Italy. It was a significant event that drew participants from across the continent. Hosted and meticulously organized in Italy, this gathering marked the beginning of a collaborative journey aimed at addressing some of the pressing challenges Europe faces today. At the heart of these discussions was a vision of creating more diverse, equal, and inclusive societies and a more inclusive labor market for migrants, and concrete solutions for better cooperation at the local level tackling discrimination and promoting diversity at the workplace. The program included auxiliary and complementary activities, among which the meeting between the international participants with the 'Terra di Tutti' Association for Migrant Integration through Circular Economy and Creative Reuse, and with the 'Agricola Carrara' Association for the Professional Integration of Refugees and Migrants.

2ND INTERNATIONAL MEETING

The 2nd international meeting and the two days training course, the participants were engaged in group discussions and labs focusing on resilience-building, counter-narrative methods, and understanding various narrative types. Workshops emphasized the importance of creating a safe space for intercultural interaction. They explored tactics like humor and sarcasm to counter extremist narratives. Training sessions addressed the key components of effective facilitation for positive, strategic and alternative narratives, but also ethical and counter narratives.

3RD INTERNATIONAL MEETING

The 3rd international meeting in Pristina, Kosovo, was marked by discussions and conferences centered on the importance of intercultural dialogue for fostering respect and active citizenship, understanding EU migration processes, analyzing stigmatization and local polarization patterns, addressing xenophobia due to migration/refugees, and examining EU-level migration challenges with varying national outcomes. Moreover, the discussion addressed key solutions and the development of pilot projects aimed at overcoming stereotypes about immigrants.

4TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING

The 4th international meeting project held in Gdańsk, May 2023, focused on social Innovation for refugee inclusion and the role of community-based organization in building inter-cultural dialogue. Labs for designing the training manual were implemented. Secondary activities included visiting the WWII Museum and the Solidarity Center. The participants also had a discussion with former Polish President Lech Wałęsa about his contributions to peace and democracy.

5TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING

The 5th International Project Meeting was held in Budapest, Hungary, attracting a diverse group of attendees from various European countries. The gathering served as a platform for robust discussions and collaborative brainstorming sessions. One of the standout sessions focused on "Reactivating European Urban Citizenship: A Network of Inclusive Towns." This topic delved into the ways European cities can rekindle a sense of belonging among their residents. Presenters shared case studies of towns that have successfully fostered inclusivity, with initiatives aimed at bridging gaps between long-term residents and newcomers. The manual for training activities for social-youth operators to build a counter-narrative on the migration phenomenon has been presented. As a peripheral activity, a visit among international participants and the 'Menedék' Association for the Integration of Migrant Children was planned.