The Safe and Mindful Movement of Young Refugees and Migrants into Youth Groups
KA2 – Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices.
Strategic Partnerships for youth
Background for the project:
One of Europe’s largest and most complex challenges in modern history is the migration of people. Whether the catalyst is war, climate or economic causes, the short and long term impacts of migration on Europe’s youth can be life changing mental illness or social isolation. In January 2017 the number of people residing in an EU state with citizenship of a non-member country was 21.6 million. In addition, there were 16.9 million persons living in one of the EU states being born elsewhere in the EU. Social inclusion of all young people, including those from a migrant background, is a key aim of the 2018 EU Youth Strategy.
This proposed Partnership therefore reflects a significant need for the successful social inclusion of youth migrants/refugees. Mindfulness is the practice of focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. This encompasses the use of art, yoga and meditation. Youth groups have the potential to embrace these low-cost techniques to engage migrants/refugees into expressing their feelings and it gives an ability to manage one’s mental health long term.
Organisations Involved:
H.R.Y.O (http://www.hryo.org/)
Agrupamento de Escolas Trigal de Santa Maria (https://aetsm.pt/)
Enso EU (https://www.ensoeu.com/)
