Weaving bridges: 

Art and Culture against racism 

and xenophobia

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Τύπος στρατηγικής (εργαλείο, εκδήλωση, εκπαιδευτικό μάθημα κ.λπ.)

Painting, creative writing, crafts, music, storytelling, photography and film

Πότε ξεκίνησε / τελείωσε;

The project is being implemented uninterruptedly since June 2016, and is constantly adapting and evolving in order to integrate the ongoing feedback of the participants themselves. 

Όνομα του οργανισμού

Melissa: Network of Migrant Women in Greece

Πόλη και χώρα

Αθήνα, Ελλάδα

1. Περιγράψτε σύντομα το έργο σας

MN has crafted an integration pathway targeting migrant & refugee women & girls, going beyond needs and vulnerability and trying to tap on the tremendous strength and resilience, the dreams and the desire that motivate their journeys.This approach focuses on the potential and the positive impact that they can have on society, as change-makers, integrators and multipliers. In this context, art and culture provide the tools that unleash this potential, have a healing effect on trauma, and enable expression and sharing. All this makes communication and the knowledge of the ‘other’ possible, creating connections and building bridges. MN has integrated art in its approach and has creatively laid the foundation of its involvement and advocacy. Through the creative involvement of its community base, it has been using story-telling and art activities as tools of integration.

Story-telling sessions are important in the trauma-healing process as participants articulate and write their own stories.
Visual Arts workshops include a range of local and visiting artists, often in partnership with museums/cultural institutions.
Poetry enables participants to express themselves creatively through poems and creative writing.
Film & Photography workshops use cameras to depict participants daily lives and develop story-lines.
Crafts & cooking workshops/events are held in cooperation with migrant communities as part of the cultural exchanges and skill-sharing programs.
Music & movement workshops are conducted by musicians, music pedagogy experts and ethnomusicologists.
Drama Play: Children participate in the workshop through interaction & group bonding activities.
Over the years we have been partnering with internationally acclaimed artists, including MacArthur Award winning poet Alicia E. Stallings, Magnum photographer Enri Canaj, visual artist Mounira Al Solh etc.

2. Ποιος ήταν ο στόχος του έργου;

Melissa is a network of refugee and migrant women, promoting empowerment, active citizenship and social cohesion. It has created an innovative community-based integration programme offered on a daily basis consisting of 7 strands of activities: literacy, psycho-social support, life-skills, information and advocacy, art and creativity, self-care and community engagement.

3. Ποιος συμμετείχε στη διαδικασία σχεδιασμού;

Melissa Network has collaborated with various local and international artists and experts to implement its activities: - Poets- Visual artists- Filmmakers- Photographers- Stage actors and directors- Musicians

4. Εάν μπορούσες να αλλάξεις κάτι, τι θα άλλαζες; 

MN is constantly aware of the existential threat of racist and xenophobic attacks that exist. However, over the years MN has managed to cultivate an environment of respect, peaceful co-existence and active community engagement. Its community-based approach provides a rich lesson in neutralizing such threats.
A myriad of challenges is being faced by MN, specifically, the refugee women and their families. Among them is the uncertainty being faced by migrant women and their families regarding their future. Most of them see Greece as a temporary refuge from where they have planned to transit to a better future in the more economically hospitable countries of the North such as Germany, France, the Nordic countries. Their urgent concern has been to get the approval of their refugee status, that would enable them to acquire their legal residence and travel documents. To do so, a bureaucratic procedure is required which demands successfully passing the asylum interview, a procedure notoriously known for inefficiency bereft of empathy. Compounding the situation, is the pandemic which had the government imposing lockdown and restrictions to contain the diaspora of, delaying the process even further.

MN has made its limited resources available for its participants, priority being given to women and children in extreme vulnerability. Since the imposition of the lockdown and the current restrictions, MN continues to provide support through different forms of communication.

5. Πώς επηρέασε το έργο στην κοινωνία των πολιτών;

Melissa Network’s pioneering holistic program promotes empowerment and integration, embracing the largest number of refugee women in Greece. It is the first non-government organization that embarked on such a program, combining seven strands of activities: Literacy, Psychosocial Support, Art and Creativity, Information, Skills Development, Advocacy and Community engagement. On a daily basis, Melissa is a beehive of communication and creativity, with migrant and refugee women and their children taking part in workshops on parenting, group counselling sessions, arts, drama therapy sessions, arts sessions, painting, language lessons. Its early-childhood education program has always shown readiness to share its good practice with other NGOs, and has welcomed academics, journalists, diplomatic missions etc.

6.Πως η καινοτομία, η έμπνευση και η συμπερίληψη εφαρμόζονται στην πρακτική σας;

MN pioneered in community-based approach to integration of migrants & refugees in society by linking refugees with migrant communities whose members have years of experiences in integration in society. Melissa is the Greek word for beehive. It's impact is its success in forging a strong synergy among migrant & refugee communities towards real & lasting positive change, giving emphasis to pursuing an active & effective community engagement, in promoting a culture that embraces & grows from diversity, cultivating a multi-cultural atmosphere, that incorporates language, art, music & ways of working together. A beehive of activities of migrants & refugees in common bond of solidarity & support have been profoundly inspiring & enriching to the newly arrived migrant & refugee women. Women & their children have found their home in Melissa - a home where they feel inclusion in the very core of their being, where they find peace & healing, where they can breathe & celebrate life.

7.Πως χρηματοδοτήθηκε η βέλτιστη πρακτική σας; 

Melissa receives funding from diversified sources such as foundations and international organizations (including UNICEF, Google, Chanel Foundation etc). 

8. Πως διαχύθηκε/προωθήθηκε η βέλτιστη πρακτική σας;

Melissa Network’s good practice is disseminated and promoted through various channels, such as social media, its website and mainstream mass media. Its presence in local and international media has amplified the voice of migrant and refugee women and girls. Through media coverage, Melissa has raised awareness on diversity, coexistence and refugee women’s issues, highlighting the importance of the holistic approach to integration which it has developed and implemented during the last five years. It actively engages with the media to communicate its values and frame a positive narrative promoting agency of refugee women and girls, placing dignity and human rights at the center. Local and international media have consistently covered Melissa’s programs, having interviewed its members, thereby encouraging the women to articulate their self-advocacy skills.

Melissa: Network of Migrant Women in Greece

AMKE

Melissa Network of Migrant Women in Greece, is a non governmental organisation based in Athens, Greece. It aims to promote empowerment and active citizenship, to create and sustain bonds, and to build a bridge of communication with the host society. Founded in September 2014 with the direct involvement of migrant women leaders, it has members from 50 countries who live and work in Greece. It operates on the basis of a common platform, a hub where networks and individuals can meet, share their concerns and ideas, and support each other in the pursuit of their common goals.

Ομάδες-στόχοι 

Migrant & Refugee Women and their children

Πεδία δράσης/ Θέματα 

Melissa is a network of refugee and migrant women, promoting empowerment, active citizenship and social cohesion. It has created an innovative community-based integration programme offered on a daily basis consisting of 7 strands of activities: literacy, psycho-social support, life-skills, information and advocacy, art and creativity, self-care and community engagement.

Contact 

18 Feron Str. Victoria Square, 104 43 Athens
Tel.: +30 210 821 8486
info@melissanetwork.org
https://melissanetwork.org/

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