What do you need to make you feel even more at home in Heraklion?

On Friday, October 20, 2023, the Symbiosis – Council of Europe School of Political Studies in Greece, in collaboration with the Heraklion Development Agency, orchestrated an event that revolved around the transformative power of the Decidim platform. Hosted at the Social Space of Kalokairinou Foundations in Heraklion, Crete, this gathering unfolded within the broader scope of the European project EMVI: Empowering Migrant Voices on Integration and Inclusion.

Themed 'Participatory Democracy with Migrants Active Citizens,' the event magnified the crucial role of Decidim as a dynamic tool to amplify migrant participation. Stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and organizations convened to delve into the manifold possibilities this platform offers in empowering migrants to contribute their ideas, suggestions, and collaborative solutions to overcome the unique challenges faced by migrant communities.

The occasion extensively explored Decidim's potential to elevate the voices of migrants, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives and experiences. It spotlighted the platform as not merely a technological solution but a catalyst for meaningful participation, underscoring the integral role migrants play in forging a more inclusive and equitable society.

To gain further insights into this transformative event, you can view some parts from the speakers' presentations below:

Andreas Takis: Political participation of migrants, expectation or a joke?

Dimitra Kampeli: Work Support and Employer-Employee Interface: The Experience of Crete

Georgia Dimari: The securitization of migration and the refugee crisis in Greece 2015-2022

Dimitra Siatitsa: Residence and neighbourhood as a precondition and field of participation

Dionysis Kokkonis: Living Conditions and Housing Insecurity - The View of Field Professionals

Lefteris Papagiannakis: Do European & national policies on migration & asylum align today?

Nikos Papadakis:Multiculturalism, Refugee- Migration Crisis and European Migration Policy: Trends and Transformations

Fotini Anastasiou: Proposals for equal access to Primary Health Care Services

Khaled Tahir: My right to the city