At the end of September, Agency representatives will participate in the Europe begins in Lampedusa, an initiative aiming to involve Italian and European students in educational activities and discussions concerning the issues of global interdependence and human rights, with a particular focus on migrations and the rights of refugees and asylum seekers.
The initiative, supported by the Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research and Minister Stefania Giannini, consists of a series of events and activities which will take place between 30 September and 3 October on the island of Lampedusa – an Italian island close to Africa which has become a byword for Europe’s migrant crisis.
On 3 October 2013, 368 migrants died in a dreadful shipwreck off the island of Lampedusa. This event was one in a long line of tragedies that have occurred since mass migrations from North Africa began. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) estimates that since 2011 more than 2,600 people have perished in the Mediterranean. The Italian Parliament established a Remembrance Day on 3 October to honour the people who died and to raise awareness of the tragedy of migrants.
During the four days of the Europe begins in Lampedusa initiative, 300 participants including students and teachers from European Union countries will take part in meetings and workshops about media and communication focusing on the issue of migration.
The European students will meet students from Lampedusa at the Luigi Pirandello Institute in order to share their reflections and to talk about everyday life on the island that has become a primary European entry point for migrants mainly from Africa. Visiting students will present their materials created during the workshops at the Lampedusa Museum of Dialogue and Trust.
At the same time as the events above, the island will be also hosting the prestigious prize Prix Italia, an international Italian television, radio-broadcasting and website award organised by Rai (Radiotelevisione Italiana). Further media and communications activities will be held in conjunction with the Rai Prize.
The events can be followed via live streaming on the project website www.europalampedusa.it
The programme listing various activities is available.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/EuropaLampedusa/
Twitter: @europalampedusa
