Foreword
by Georgios Kaminis
The refugee crisis that erupted in the summer of 2015 , brought cities in Europe at the forefront of this new reality . They had to welcome , provide humanitarian assistance and accommodate thousands of people , fleeing war and devastation . In a crisis that has created tension and undermined Europe ’ s fundamental values , our cities have proven that they can offer solutions to the multiple implications of the refugee challenge and be the frontrunners in promoting coexistence and mutual respect .
Athens has been one of the cities most affected by the influx of refugees and became a transit point on their way to Europe , on their way to safety . The City of Athens ’ response was immediate and effective . We had to guarantee the protection of these people ’ s fundamental rights and to gradually promote their integration in our society .
Today , Athens is hosting , through different accommodation schemes , more than 12.000 people , among them many are children and unaccompanied minors . They are the most vulnerable group and in need of care and protection in order to quickly regain a sense of belonging , normality and safety .
The role of cities in this particular context is of the utmost importance . They have to provide children appropriate services in order to facilitate their adaptation to their new life . The City of Athens , through its social services , offers psychosocial support to them and to their parents , in close collaboration with organisations such as SOS Children ’ s Villages . At the same time , we monitor their enrolment to schools in direct contact with the state authorities while we bring together refugee children and children of the host community , offering all of them an array of activities through our “ Open Schools ” programme .
Children are the future citizens . We have an obligation and duty to facilitate their integration and to offer them every opportunity to build relationships , receive education and become active members in their societies ; to offer them every opportunity to fulfill their destiny .
The way we handle these issues today will determine our future as a continent . The migration challenge is here to stay and it will keep knocking on our door for many years to come . Every delay or refusal to face this reality turns into a structural problem that is much harder to deal with at a latter stage . European cities and local authorities , together with international organisations , have a leading role to play in implementing integration strategies and securing social cohesion .
Georgios Kaminis Mayor of Athens , Member of the European Committee of the Regions
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