Immigration is a phenomenon that widely affects most EU countries (especially Southern member states – “traditionally” functioning as host countries) and Southern Med countries (mainly functioning as sending countries). The integration of the immigrants in the host societies is one of the most important challenges faced by both the host societies and the immigrants.
A very special group is that of 2nd generation immigrants (children of immigrants born or raised from a very young age in EU countries) who, apart from a number of legal problems are facing difficulties to define their ethnic identity having adopted the characteristics of the society they have grown up in, although many times not accepted by it.
The project, which was co-financed by Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures (ALF), aims to raise the awareness of host and sending societies about the problems and issues young 2nd generation immigrants are facing, thus promoting attitudes and policy change in relation to the status of (2nd generation) immigrants to facilitate the achievement of their potential as active, responsible citizens and to combat social exclusion.
More specifically, the project’s objective was to involve young people from European (Greece, Romania, Italy, Spain) and Southern Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Turkey, Palestine, Jordan) in the organization of a 6-day exchange & cultural event (photo exhibition, dance, theatre, video animation, etc) in Greece that explored and promoted issues of cultural diversity, citizenship and the status, rights and problems of 2nd generation immigrants in the EU, in order improve mutual perceptions and co-operation.
