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MEDIART

2023

Thoughts on migration regarding International Migrant's Day 18th December

15/12/2017

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Deciding to be the one who is going to write a blogpost concerning the International Migrant's Day on 18th of December was pretty easy and went very fast. Mainly, because this is a topic that I am concerned and interested about. Though, when now it comes to truly putting some words down on paper I don't seem to be able to find words. 
Actually, I feel like I lost them. Yesterday in the Office we seemed as if we would be able to talk and discuss about the movement of people, the danger, both, migrants and refugees, are exposed to on a daily basis and the exploitation of too many of the countries these people are fleeing from.  

Still what happened yesterday evening once again, was not only the reason some of the volunteers which have been living here in 
Serres Greece since about 9 months started questioning the meaning of some activities they had carried out during their EVS and project time, but also the reason why sometimes I simply cannot and honestly don't want to understand the kind of system we all seem to be a part of since we are living our daily lives simply not caring or just accepting that for some reason at some points in your life your hands are tied.  
I reckon by now I am already far of the topic I initially wanted to talk about but I guess in some way it still fits.  
Migration by definition means the following:  movement from one country, place, or locality to another.  
I have to say that personally, I think that this sentence sounds wrong to me. For me migration includes arrival. Arrival at a new place where at a very high percentage most things are going to be unknown, new or even strange. A place where you have to learn how to fit in. A place, where probably people are going to expect from you to adapt to them. Which I think in some way is legit. But also, in my opinion migration should be responded to or requires some kind of adaption from the other, the receiving side.  
Of course, it makes a lot of things easier if the people migrating to a new place try to learn the country's language. Of course, it might be very helpful to stick to this Country's rules and laws. But what if at the end of the day, when you did all that has been required from you and still the place where you arrived does not try and adapt to in return. It's not about changing everything how we know about it now, but to at least try and be welcoming. Try to be accepting that many people might have had a good cause or reason to leave the place they come from and that maybe these people don't want to live in your country just as much as some ignorant and probably heartless person doesn't want them to live there too.  
Coming to Greece in order to carry out an EVS project here in Serres, I am a migrant too. Maybe not even work wise, but because I wanted to do something good, something meaningfull and something that might have at least some little impact. In fact, we are 7 migrants from Estonia, Spain, Hungary and Germany living in Serres. We, more or less, adapted ourselves and our living styles to the Greek way of living and I feel that also the Greek society around us has or is still trying to adapt to us.  
We learn how to understand Greek behaviour. Greeks learn how to understand ours. Some of us even try to learn to read, write and speak Greek in order to pave the way for easier communication with possible new friends, co-workers and neighbours.  
The thing is, that we were invited to do so. We were offered lessons, we were offered help and we were even offered friendship and support.  
I cannot imagine what arriving in a place that you have wished to be for some time might feel like as soon as you start to feel that you are not as welcomed as you thought you would be. And even if you imagined that for some reason you might not be so welcomed and you adjusted your expectation according to this believe, you are still going to be affronted realising that though you might have been expected at one place people are not going to be willing to change their habits, their believes and their nature of being and doing things just because of you.  
Even if this means that even though you are expected to be living in a refugee camp outside of the city from the next morning on, the security service of this particular camp is not allowing you to enter because of some kind of weird security reasons, so that you end up sleeping in front of the main gate out in the cold in the middle of December, afraid that so close to your destination someone could somehow from one moment to the other decide that oh, you are not going to enter anyways even if we promised we would let you.  
There is a difference between the terms migrant and refugee and even if the dictionary can tell me what this difference of them both is … 
Migrant 
While there is no formal legal definition of an international migrant, most experts agree that an international migrant is someone who changes his or her country of usual residence, irrespective of the reason for migration or legal status. Generally, a distinction is made between short-term or temporary migration, covering movements with a duration between three and 12 months, and long-term or permanent migration, referring to a change of country of residence for a duration of one year or more. 

- United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs 
Refugee 
Refugees are persons who are outside their country of origin for reasons of feared persecution, conflict, generalized violence, or other circumstances that have seriously disturbed public order and, as a result, require international protection.  The refugee definition can be found in the 1951 Convention and regional refugee instruments, as well as UNHCR’s Statute.   

--United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees 

… I really don't understand their true meaning.  
drfeelwell
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December 05th, 2017

5/12/2017

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Volunteering from praxis greece eyes

Our feelings and goals about being a volunteer in Praxis Greece organization.

Vera Lennartz
In my opinion, a voluntary service is a great chance to develop your personality. Making new experiences and meeting new people help to broaden your horizon, which is very important.
I see it as an interesting challenge to live in a completely new environment with new people for a longer period of time. From my point of view it helps to get more independent and self-conscious.
Furthermore, I am certain that a voluntary service gives you the chance to discover new possibilities - new possibilities how to involve yourself in social pursuits and ideas for your professional future.

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Karolin Rippich
First of all, I was interested in voluntary work in the field of media and communication, because I am a very communicative, creative and open-minded person myself.
On the other hand, I wanted to pass on my enthusiasm for cultural exchange and interaction, which is an important feature of today. In order to make young people becoming aware of how important communication is and how we all can benefit from one another and various cultures, participating in a project in which working with children and teenagers is one of the main parts seemed to be a very nice opportunity.
Besides I’ve already gained intercultural experience during a six-week stay in Ireland and therefore knew how fantastic it is to get to know a new country, its people, its culture, its food, its language, its landscape …
I thought that I was ready to adapt to the new way of life in Serres and according to this point, I see this voluntary program as a chance for young people like me to promote tolerance, international exchange and friendship.
Moreover, I hope that the voluntary service will not only contribute to the development of my personality and help me in finding my profession, but also change something in the local society for the greater good. I wish to learn to stand in for the things I believe in and hope to be able to have an impact on current issues.
This is why I wanted to receive the possibility to support the Mediart Praxis Project not only to further develop my personal abilities, but in order to make others benefit from how I may assist. What I wish for is that together we can reach and connect people. Praxis' aim to present a range of cultural activities to youths and to spread cultures is another feature why I chose it to be the project I wish to engage in.


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Julian Heyder

After I finished my final exams in germany, I really wanted to go abroad and see more of the world. Therefore I was thinking about going to travel and see other countries. At the same time I wanted to help people in need, which I wouldn't have accomplished if I would have just travel around on my own. So I decided to do an european voluntary service and until now, currently two months, I don't regret my decision, because it feels really good to help the refugees  and build up a connection with them. Furthermore I am able to experience the country with it's culture on a different level when just traveling through, because I am a long term volunteer.
At the end I have to mention the biggest drawside of this service for me. It is not seeing your family and friends for a long time and not being able to see them everyday, like before, makes me miss them a lot.


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Cristo Artero
Being a  volunteer is a great job to make people that really deserve happy. Just put a little of effort and a lot of smiles we can make this world a little brighter!


Maris Lepp
If you would ask my family and friends, they would probably say that volunteering is the only thing I have been doing. At least for the last 5 years or so. I have always been the active one, who next to her studies or other responsibilities is involved in all kinds of voluntary stuff - organizing public events, taking part of social campaigns, spending a day with people in need,  cleaning the environment around us… the list can go on.
Why I do this? Why not! I have some time, I have my knowledge, I am physically capable of  doing more and I can put my energy somewhere it’s needed. Not even talking about the feeling I get after seeing the result of my effort - even if it’s just a smile or thank you. Voluntarism is just another form of self-realization for me. And if with that I can bring some positivity in someone else’s life, I couldn’t be happier.


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Kilian Martel Álamo
I discovered the "Volunteer´s life" plenty the last year with my first trip to Greece and right now my life is totally different.
During my experiences I have met a lot of beautiful people from all over the world with the same thought or dream: To bring hope to the world! Maybe sounds a bit "romantic" but is the truth. How a lot of people work together to get the same goal is amazing.
Now I am economicly poorer but I am rich in experiences and I have filled my body with the good energies of the people that I have met and there is no money to buy that.
You may say that I am a dreamer, but I know, I am pretty sure, that I am not the only one!!
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Dóra Major
For me the meaning of be a volunteer is about support someone or something with your own willing. You take and give your time, knowledge and strength to make something great. Volunteering is a good feeling. Makes others heart warm and your heart too.
If I can mention here something so obvious and simple thing; you don't need to travel for other countries to be a volunteer, you can be always a help around your town, your school, or near your neighbourhood. You can start something small and you will see how big it is going to be raised by the time.
Look at me! When I was a kid I went to collect garbage in the forest, or when I was a teenager I baked for charity, and I can go on..
I started small and now I live with this amazing opportunity to be a volunteer in Greece. I can only say thanks for this experience for the life, because I have improved and learned a lot since I am a volunteer.


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Happy International Volunteer Day
For every volunteer!

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December 04th, 2017

4/12/2017

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International Volunteer Day 2017

What does volunteering mean? 
The term volunteering includes several activities like first aid in a crisis area, engagement in local organisations or a European Voluntary service as we do. The main characteristics of volunteering is that the people do it because of their free will, that it is for the good of the general public and that gaining money is not the principle aim of the work.  
More than 1 billion people volunteer globally, the majority of them working in their own countries.  

On 5th of December we celebrate the International Volunteer Day. It is a chance to celebrate the efforts of volunteers worldwide. The 2017 theme is: Volunteers Act First. Here. Everywhere. It honours the work of volunteers all around the world. In times of crisis volunteers are often the first ones to help. They help saving lives and brave many dangers to help others.  
 
So just what are the reasons that make so many people want to do a voluntary service? 
It is a well-known fact that luckily, volunteering gives you plenty of soft skills. You are faced with problems on a daily basis, you have to deal with a mix of personalities and all while adjusting to life outside of your comfort zone. This all adds up and helps to improve your teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and people skills. 
Another amazing motivator for volunteering abroad is the insightful, real-world experiences that volunteers gain in the field. Get ready to gain a hands-on experience in the field you are most interested in and passionate about. This also adds up to the new abilities and skills you will learn.  

Volunteering, at home or abroad, also gives you the chance to vote every day about the kind of community and world you want to live in. It gives you the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself and use your civic responsibility for the greater good. Without people who are willing to sacrifice their time and skills to meaningful causes, a lot more people and animals would be worse off. And to be honest to know that you do something good and important with your time feels like the right thing to do.  

The things you will do during volunteering, whether big or small, will have an impact on someone’s life. By teaching someone to speak English, you are helping them break the cycle of not being able to communicate in the surrounding this person is now living in and therefor provide them with opportunities to not only improve their current situation but also impact their further life. Their kids and families will have a better quality of life for generations to come because of you. 
Moreover, volunteering lets you meet people from all parts of the world, all having different characters, but still sharing similar points of view. It gives you the chance to form real relationships that can have a lasting impact on your life. You could meet your new best friend, future business partner or have a conversation that sparks a real change in your life. Maybe they will help you to decide what to do afterwards or just provide you with a whole new way of seeing things that happen to you. 

Another reason for volunteering is to learn a new language. By taking the time to learn a country’s language you are opening yourself up to its culture and learn how to better fit into the local society. By trying to understand a language, we learn about the heritage that goes with it. In fact, becoming part of the local community is one of the most popular reasons people choose to volunteer abroad. Living in a community gives you a different view of the people and the country. You learn about their everyday struggles, their culture and day-to-day lives. It’s a great opportunity to soak up village life and experience meaningful cultural exchange. 
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Of course, volunteering is not something to take lightly and needs to be treated with the utmost respect, but it is also fun! It’s a reason to meet new people, embrace cultural traditions and go on adventures. During your downtime you can spend a weekend island hopping, climbing, or whatever you are up to, the choices are endless! Combining this with all the altruistic reasons to volunteer, makes for an unforgettable experience which will stay with you for the rest of your life. 
 
Your personal reason for volunteering should begin where your passions lie, but you can use our thoughts on why to do a voluntary service as a starting point to find out what exactly they are. You may for example let your love for animals, teaching or healthcare create positive change in the world. Allow your actions to be led from a place of passionate intention. That way all the hard work will be worth it, you will be more committed to the cause and as a result, your impact will be that much bigger. 

Written by Karolin Rippich and Vera Lennartz 
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