Balkan Beats A BIMONTHLY MAGAZINE BY THE VOLUNTEERS OF THE UNITED SOCIETIES OF BALKANS Photos from the photo contest of the greek network of the Anna Lindh Foundation Special Edition by Anna Lindh Foundation: #35 PRESS FREE Editorial The 35th Edition by Michael Magee and Livia Kallmeyer Τhe Mediterranean basin has always been the and culture have the opportunity to par- womb of civilization from which prominent cul- ticipate and formulate new ideas and propos- tures were born, flourished and for centuries als for the future of Foundation’s member countries. coexisted and interacted. It is a sacred place of great religions and the birthplace of important Due to the pandemic, FORUM 2020 was canceled scientists and people of spirit. But at the same and replaced by an online Marathon of actions, time, it was and often is a field of battles and hos- seminars and activities. In this context, this is- tile conflicts. sue, which I am pleased to preface/prologue, is dedicated to the ALF. It is a patchwork of articles For almost two decades, the Anna Lindh Foun- by young and thinking people that touch upon the dation (ALF), that I have the honor of being co- principles, values and pillars of the Foundation, head for the last seven years, has been working while articles by members of the Greek ALF net- to bridge diversity and promote intercultural and work are also hosted. interreligious dialogue, human rights and peace- ful problem-solving. -The texts are a spiritual and freedom of thought product of the authors exclusively- The tradition of the Foundation is the implemen- tation of a FORUM every 3 years. Civil society or- Enjoy! ganizations, academics, people of politics Aristodimos Paraschou Co-Head Anna Lindh Foundation Hellas, and head of USB Balkan Beats, a part of Balkan Hotspot Balkan Hotspot is the European Solidarity stant changes in the Balkan and Eastern Euro- Corps (ESC) of “United Societies of Balkans”, a pean region and under the need for the creation NGO founded in Thessaloniki in 2008 by a team of a better social environment. of active young people. Key areas of the organization’s activities con- The Balkans and Eastern Europe are geograph- cern the defense of human rights, the organiza- ical regions with many cultural features which tion of youth exchanges and training courses, offer a broad spectrum of actions and youth which will bring young people from Balkans and involvement initiatives. The organization was Europe together, the organization of local educa- created as a response to the pressure of con- tional seminars and multimedia production. United Societies of Balkans is a Non Governmental Organi- Main goals of the organization zation, founded in Thessaloniki in 2008, by a team of active • To promote the values of non formal le- aring,volunteering, young people. The organization was created as a response to active citizenship and democracy for the creation of a better the pressure of constant changes in the Balkan and Eastern future for European youth. European region and under the need for the creation of a better • To promote human rights, solidarity and respect for diversity. social environment. Key areas of the organization’s activities • To build healthy cooperation bridges between countries of the concern the defense of human rights, the organization of youth Balkan area and that of Eastern Europe with the rest of Europe. exchanges and training courses, which will bring young people • To locate and multiply the special cultural attributes of our from Balkans and Europe together, the organization of local societies. educational seminars and multimedia pro- duction(webradio, • The break down of prejudices and stereo- types between Bal- videos, documentaries). kan countries. Property of Balkan Beats UNITED SOCIETIES OF BALKANS, NGO The United Societies of Balkans, NGO, does not necessarily share 9, Alamanas str., Agios Pavlos, Thessaloniki the opinions expressed in Balkan Beats. It is illegal to reproduce Tel./Fax: +30 2310 215 629 | www.usbngo.gr any part of this publication without referring to the source. www.balkanhotspot.org This magazine is distributed free of charge. 02 Contents Contents Special Local Life Out Of The GREECE Borders THE BALKANS AND 04 15 BEYOND The Anna Lindh Foundation: Fostering social inclusion The network that unites the of Refugees in Greece: 28 Mediterranean volunteerism, community Tradition as a tool for action and HEIs initiatives social intervention Volunteer Life AROUND THE WORLD 18 31 Young Mediterranean Multiculturalism and 06 Voices: an inspiration for integration through When a High School the Black Sea region education classroom becomes a theatre play 20 34 The Anna Lindh Foundation Intercultural Dialogue and 09 in Greece Young People’s Future Erasmus Plus is not a programme, it’s a family 22 38 where dreams come true. Translation initiatives and Who was Anna Lindh? intercultural dialogue 12 in Rhodes, Greece 40 EU Diversity Month: Multicultural brain-wiring: Disability and Volunteering 25 the psychological effects of HOSCARs 2021: learning a new culture 14 Welcommon Hostel is Intercultural Cooking named one of the best 45 hostels in the world Slavs supporting Slavs 48 Eurovision: more than just a music contest Mix Fix 51 Mare Humanitas 03 Special The Anna Lindh Foundation: The network that unites the Mediterranean by Marco Scarangella History of the foundation ceptance and respect. Thus, it was decided to name the Foundation Anna Lindh, in honour of Throughout history, the Mediterranean Sea the Swedish Foreign Minister who was mur- has always had the dual role of a barrier and a dered in 2003. In fact, during her career, she bridge between the peoples and cultures pres- promoted cooperation between peoples and ent on its coasts. The main challenge for this called for respect for international laws and hu- area has always been integrating the mosaic of man rights. different societies around this sea. In the 21st century, this has not changed; on the contrary, Another symbolic decision taken by the mem- the increase of intolerance, radicalism and un- ber countries was to locate the Foundation’s equal living conditions among Mediterranean headquarters in Alexandria, Egypt, specifically countries are among the most remarkable tri- in the Library of the city and the Swedish Insti- als ever to be faced. The Anna Lindh Founda- tute. This makes it the first Euro-Mediterranean tion fits into this complicated, but at the same institution situated out of the EU. time culturally rich context. Principles and objectives of the This institution was founded in November foundation 2004 and is the first to establish the Euro-Med- iterranean Partnership, a political agreement The Foundation’s priority is to bring together made in 1995 between the European Union people and organisations from the two sides and Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Syria and Turkey. The organisation was created by 37 member countries, who finance it with the help of the European Union. The Anna Lindh Foundation, which has grown over the years to the current 42 member states, was created to promote cultural, social and spiritual dialogue between the participating countries and encourage a spirit of mutual ac- Anna Lindh, when she was © Multimedia Centre Minister of Foreign Affairs of European Parliament Sweden, at the European Par- liament in Strasbourg. 04 Special Each National Network is coordinated by focal point institutions named Heads of Networks. They work for ensuring coordination, consul- tation and mobilisation inside the National Anna Lindh Foundation’s Logo © Anna Lindh Foudation Network, for facilitating the development and implementation of common actions among of the Mediterranean, focusing on people’s de- member organisations or across Networks, velopment through education and training. The for involving the participating countries in the members’ goal is to use dialogue to combat Foundation’s programmes and projects, and racism, xenophobia, and all forms of discrim- for strengthening the cooperation between the ination and ensure freedom of expression and Heads of Network and the ALF Headquarters. respect for human rights. In particular, the so- cial groups to which the Foundation pays atten- Joining the Anna Lindh Foundation Network is tion are young people and migrants. relatively simple. If an organisation wishes to join the network, it simply needs to belong to he Foundation acts as a Network of Networks T one of the 42 member countries and work in composed of over 4000 civil society organisa- fields such as intercultural relations, heritage, tions around all the member countries. The religion, research, human rights, democracy ALF Network of Networks members is diverse, and community development, arts, youth and including NGOs, public institutions, founda- education, gender, environment and sustain- tions, local and regional authorities, individuals able development, and media. and private organisations, which are active in different areas essential for human and social Then the organisation will have to fill in and dialogue, such as Education, Culture, Arts, In- send the application form for the membership tercultural Learning, Religion and Spirituality, and wait for the Heads of Network to whom Urban Spaces and Citizenship, Migration, Me- the application will be sent, take the decision dia and Public Opinion. about admission. The Network https://www.alfhellas.gr/en The role of national networks in each Member State is significant, as they can work