The
poll entitled "Healing through Inclusion" was conducted
through U-Report
Greece, the UNICEF global platform that amplifies the voices
of young people. The poll was launched from 6 to 22 June 2022.
In
total, 282 U-Reporters responded to the poll, corresponding to a 98% response
rate. Most of the respondents (52%) are between 15-19 years old, while 19% are
under 15 years old. More than half of the respondents (56%) are girls, while 24%
come from refugee and migrant communities. The top regions from where the
U-Reporters come are Attica, followed by Thessaly and Central Macedonia.
According
to the results, the vast majority (88%) of young people who participated in the
poll understand the importance of cultural diversity for society.
However, 9% stated that they do not know/understand what cultural diversity
means.
Furthermore,
26% of U-Reporters answered that getting in contact with people from different
cultures helped them learn to listen and respect different views.
Participants stated that this interaction with different cultures also contributes
to building new friendships (20%) and broadening their horizons (19%). There
are also other benefits such as learning a new language (8%) and discovering
different cultures (16%).
Regarding
social inclusion, 86% of respondents recognise its importance, while
10% state that they do not know/ understand what social inclusion is, and only
4% state that social inclusion is not important.
In
particular, U-Reporters with a refugee or migrant background pointed out that
one of the most challenging issues for their inclusion into Greek
society is the determination of their legal status (27%) followed by access to
education (25%). Among other challenges,
they also mention the access to the job market (13%) and the difficulties in
making new friends (13%). Finally, a small percentage (8%) responded that practicing
their culture/religion and accessing the healthcare system (3%) are some of
the challenges for their social
inclusion.
Regarding
the initiatives that would facilitate the inclusion of young refugees in
Greek society, 28% of respondents emphasize the crucial role of Greek language
learning programs, and 26% stress the participation in community groups. Other
respondents suggest the implementation of sensitization campaigns against
discrimination (17%), as well as participation
in social and cultural events (14%) and sports activities (8%).
When it comes to actions that young people can take to make Greece a more welcoming place for newcomers, some of the answers included:
"[…] We should create safe spaces in all neighborhoods where refugees and migrants can participate in the life of the local community and contribute in their own way."
U-Reporter 25 years old, Greece
"Young people need to be more sensitized about discrimination and diversity.’’
U-Reporter
17 years old, Greece
"We should put aside any fear for people who are different and put ourselves in their position in order to understand what it means to have no other option but to leave the country where you grew up, carrying only the hope for a better life. Because tomorrow we might be the ones who will have to leave our country.’’
U-Reporter 18 years old, Greece
Finally, defining healing, 32% of U-Reporters state that healing means “building a brighter future”, 28% “sharing with others”, and 24% “recovering from a painful experience”.
Other respondents said that healing is:
"[…] When people support each other to feel good and evolve towards the direction that they want."
U-Reporter 25 years old, Athens
"[…] helping each other and keep
fighting for everything that really matters despite the difficulties and
obstacles." U-Reporter 16 years old,
Pylaia-Chortiatis
"[…] Healing means trying to
heal the wounds of a fellow human being. It means mutual understanding. Support. An
expression of selfless love."
U-Reporter 16 years old, Larisa
The
results of the poll were presented at the closing event
of the Refugee Week Greece Festival on Sunday, 26 June 2022.
