Advancing Integration through Inclusive Education
Round table discussion co-hosted by The HOME Project and ACS Athens
We were proud to host an impactful round table discussion on the transformative role of education in the integration of lone refugee children, in collaboration with ACS Athens.
Esteemed guests -including Julia Tokatlidou, Dean of Academics, and Harry Leonardatos, Academy Principal at ACS Athens, Alexandros Phylactopoulos, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Gerasimos Alivizatos General Secretary at Athens College, Anthony Kartalis, Managing Director and Myrena Hatzivassiliou, Communications Director at The Moraitis School, Dr. Gelly Aroni, Head of Integration in the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors (Ministry of Migration and Asylum)- and other partners, supporters and volunteers of The HOME Project joined our CEO, Sofia Kouvelaki to share highlights, challenges and learnings from our ongoing educational programs, and explore ways to amplify our impact.
They explored key topics such as the importance of creating and sustaining safe spaces for the genuine and positive interaction between Greek and refugee populations, as a driver for breaking down barriers and combating xenophobia, and the leading role that private schools can play in creating equal opportunities for all children.
Youth Ambassadors from The HOME Project along with students from ACS Athens also shared their experiences, highlighting how participating in these programs has enriched their lives and supported both their personal and academic growth.
We were especially honored to be joined by our dear friend and philanthropist Ed Shapiro, whose visionary support helped launch our Youth to Youth program, and continues to enable many of our children to excel academically through scholarships.
Summary of key points:
- Education was highlighted as the cornerstone of The HOME Project child protection model and a catalyst for the meaningful integration of lone refugee children.
- Key educational achievements were shared, including that over 8 years, The HOME Project has raised more than €1.8 million for educational initiatives and scholarships, awarding 51 scholarships in leading academic institutions both in Greece and abroad.
- The crucial role of philanthropist Ed Shapiro was recognized. His vision and generosity were instrumental in the creation of the Youth to Youth program, and he has provided 36 scholarships for children of The HOME Project to attend ACS Athens.
- The HOME Project stressed the importance of creating and sustaining safe spaces for the genuine and positive interaction between Greek and refugee populations, as a driver for breaking down barriers and combating xenophobia.
- The team urged participating private schools to continue to lead the way by creating more inclusive curricula, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and setting the example for other institutions, and society.
- Senior representatives from ACS Athens, Athens College and The Moraitis School emphasized how beneficial these educational programs have been for their own students, helping to broaden their perspectives, cultivating empathy and developing new skills.
- Youth Ambassadors from The HOME Project, alongside students from ACS Athens shared their experiences and highlighted how participating in these programs has enriched their lives and supported both their personal and academic growth.
- It was agreed that the expertise of The HOME Project, ACS Athens, Athens College and The Moraitis School, as well as the learnings gathered over the years should be used as the foundation for the development of an educational toolkit. This would be shared with other academic institutions both nationally and internationally, to facilitate the integration of students with a refugee background.
- The potential of engaging additional partners, including public schools, to scale up the Youth to Youth program and maximize its reach and impact was also discussed. The representative from the Ministry of Migration and Asylum also welcomed this prospect.