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This magazine is prepared with the aim of increasing intercultural understanding and raising awareness against negative attitudes towards refugees. It is designed to promote the activities of our project "We are Different Colours of Rainbow". The goal of our project is to emphasize the challenges faced by refugees and the cultural richness they bring, aiming for more inclusive and tolerant societies.

WHO WE ARE

Three civil society organizations from the Netherlands, France and Turkey came together in an Erasmus project to reduce prejudices against refugees Our project is an Erasmus Ka 210 youth project. A total of 15 youth workers from 3 countries participated in our project.

STICHING EDU-TALENTS /Holand (Coordinatör)

YAŞAMSAL FARKINDALIKLAR DERNEĞİ /Turkey

EUROPEAN MUSLIM UNION /France

Refugee Stories

Journey to Hope

Wassan's family was increasingly confronted with the brutality of the civil war in Syria every passing day. They felt that their home had ceased to be a shelter and they were worried about the future of their children. Sleeping at night was impossible; they could hear the sounds of bombardment or gunshots at any moment.

One night, after bombs fell on their home, they had to make a decision. They had to do something for the safety of their children. They decided to embark on a journey. Leaving their home meant leaving their family and lives behind, but they had no alternatives.

On the road, they encountered many difficulties. They did their best to bring a smile to their children's faces, but the worry and fear inside them were palpable. Some days, finding food was difficult, and some nights, finding shelter was impossible. However, they did not lose hope.As they approached the border, their hearts began to beat rapidly.

Along with other refugee families waiting at the border, they united their hopes to cross the border and reach a safe home. Cold and hunger slowly consumed their spirits, but when they were together, they gave each other strength

In the end, they managed to cross the border into Turkey, where a faint smile appeared on their faces. However, this joy was mixed with deep sorrow for the lives and loved ones they left behind. Nonetheless, they took a step towards securing a future for their children. Upon arrival, they renewed their hopes for a new life. Yet, challenges awaited them. The language barrier posed a significant obstacle as they struggled to learn Turkish and communicate effectively. Integrating into society proved difficult, with moments of misunderstanding and exclusion. Despite economic hardships and uncertainties, Wassan and her family persevered. They didn't lose hope, staying strong together, knowing they could overcome any hardship as long as they were united.

Fatima's Story: Struggle for Survival as a Woman

Fatima is a refugee who fled political oppression in Eritrea and sought asylum in the Netherlands. After enduring a series of hardships on her journey, she finally reached the Netherlands. Upon arrival, she faced difficulties with language barriers and adapting to societal gender norms. However, she relentlessly strove to survive and make a fresh start. In the Netherlands, she attended language courses with the support of local civil society organizations and received assistance in finding employment. Now, she has joined a women's solidarity group to support other female refugees and continues her efforts to establish a secure life in the Netherlands.

Ibrahim's Story: Escaping the Devastation of War and Starting Anew

Ibrahim is a refugee who fled from the terrorism of Boko Haram and the civil war in Nigeria to seek asylum in the Netherlands. Upon reaching the country, he encountered language barriers and cultural differences. However, he benefited from integration programs in the Netherlands and support from local civil society organizations. Initially, he attended Dutch language courses and learned to communicate with the local community. Later on, he participated in various education and employment programs to find a job, eventually securing a position at a construction company. While Ibrahim continues to struggle with leaving his family and friends behind in Nigeria as he strives to rebuild his life in the Netherlands, he now has a place to live on his own and participates in various social activities to integrate into Dutch society.

Tamkin's Story: Keeping Hope and Rebuilding

Tamkin, fleeing from the oppression of the Taliban in Afghanistan, was attempting to reach Europe as a refugee. One night, they decided to flee with whatever belongings they could carry. Their first priority was reaching Turkey, their neighboring country. This journey was arduous and perilous. Crossing mountains, forests, and dangerous passages, they eventually reached Turkey, where they were placed in refugee camps and presented their asylum claims to Turkish authorities. However, with the hope of finding a more permanent solution in Turkey, Tamkin's family continued their search for a safer haven. The most common route from Turkey to France involved crossing into Europe through Greece. This entailed a perilous sea journey as many refugees attempted to cross the Aegean Sea in boats.

Tamkin's family also followed this route. Despite the perilous sea journey and having to rely on smugglers, they did not lose hope. Eventually, they reached Greece and then pursued safer and official routes to reach France.

Upon reaching France after a long and arduous journey, they finally found a safe harbor. However, this journey was not only filled with physical challenges but also emotional and psychological ones. Nonetheless, they did not lose hope and moved forward with the hope of starting a new life.

Throughout the journey, they faced many hardships and were arrested several times on charges of border violation. However, Tamkin did not lose hope. Eventually, they succeeded in reaching France. Here, they received support from a local civil society organization to find accommodation and employment. Now, they guide other refugees and help them keep their hopes alive for starting a new life.

Comparison of Integration Policies

Türkiye:

Türkiye, millions of refugees and runs various projects for their integration. Refugee integration in Turkey is often facilitated through local governments, civil society organizations, and international aid agencies. Particularly, education and employment programs that support refugees in learning Turkish and finding jobs are crucial.

Projects Implemented:

In Turkey, there are education programs such as Turkish language courses and vocational training courses for refugees. There are programs that offer incentives to employers to encourage the employment of refugees. Health programs targeting refugees are conducted to increase access to healthcare services. Projects promoting cultural activities and societal participation are implemented to enhance social cohesion.

Fransa:

France approaches refugee integration as a state policy and implements various integration programs. In France, there are programs supporting refugee integration in areas such as language learning, vocational training, education, and access to social services.

Projects Implemented:

French language teaching courses and language support programs are provided to refugees.

Vocational training programs and job placement support are offered to refugees to enhance their employability.

Education programs targeting refugees are available to increase access to educational services.

Access to healthcare services is crucial for refugees, alongside social services.

Hollanda:

Holland is a country that prioritizes refugee integration and implements various integration policies. In the Netherlands, there are various programs supporting refugees in areas such as language learning, education, employment, and community integration.

Projects Implemented:

In the Netherlands, language teaching courses and language support programs are provided to refugees.

Vocational training programs and job placement support are offered to refugees to enhance their employability.

Education programs targeting refugees are available to increase access to educational services.

Cultural events and social participation projects promoting interaction with the community are conducted to enhance social cohesion.

Comparison:

Turkey, France, and the Netherlands all run various programs to support the integration of refugees.

Turkey has extensive programs, particularly focusing on language learning and employment.

France and the Netherlands implement comprehensive integration policies to increase refugees' access to education, employment, and social services.

Comparing the projects and integration policies among these countries can provide a better understanding and perspective on the refugee integration process, contributing to the identification of more effective strategies in this field.

Raising Awareness Against Discrimination:

Promoting tolerance and understanding in society is a crucial step in preventing discrimination. Through our activities, we aimed to raise awareness about the harms of discrimination against refugees and foster societal awareness. Here are some of the activities we conducted:

**Community Education and Seminars:**

We organized community education sessions and seminars on the definition of discrimination against refugees and how it can be prevented. During these events, participants were informed about the harms of discrimination and the importance of promoting tolerance.

**Information Brochures and Materials:**

We prepared informational brochures and materials explaining the different forms of discrimination and how to recognize them. By distributing these materials to both refugees and various segments of society, we aimed to raise awareness.

**Community Engagement and Dialogue:**

We established close contact with the community through various activities such as neighborhood meetings, panel discussions, and street demonstrations.Through these events, we endeavored to draw attention to the harms of discrimination and raise awareness among all sectors of society.

**Social Media Campaigns:**

We highlighted the harms of discrimination against refugees and the importance of tolerance on social media platforms. Through these campaigns, we aimed to reach a wide audience, raise awareness, and serve as a driving force for societal change. By harnessing the power of social media, we aimed to initiate a movement in society to end discrimination against refugees.

**Interactive Workshop Sessions:**

We organized interactive workshop sessions bringing together refugees and other segments of society. These workshops provided a platform to delve deeply into the origins of discrimination and how it can be prevented. By enabling participants to empathize and understand different perspectives, we contributed to creating a more inclusive environment in society. These workshop sessions, which encouraged everyone to contribute and progress towards a common goal, helped foster a stronger sense of solidarity and a culture of tolerance in the community.

Opinions of the Society:

Turkey:

Turkey has a general culture of tolerance and hospitality towards refugees. Many Turkish citizens warmly embrace refugees fleeing from war and offer assistance to them. However, this situation may also raise various concerns among some people. Particularly, segments struggling with economic difficulties may harbor concerns about refugees entering the labor market and accessing public services. Nevertheless, overall, people in Turkey exhibit a positive attitude towards refugees.

Netherlands:

In the Netherlands, the general attitude towards refugees is complex. While many Dutch people make efforts to support and integrate refugees, some segments hold a more critical view towards them. Particularly, due to the challenges faced in the integration process and various cultural differences, some individuals harbor concerns about refugees. However, overall, people in the Netherlands exhibit a positive attitude towards refugees.

France:

In France, the attitude towards refugees is generally complex and controversial. While many French citizens make efforts to support and integrate refugees, some segments exhibit a more conservative stance towards them. Particularly, due to economic challenges and security concerns in France, some individuals hold a critical view towards refugees. However, there are also many humanitarian organizations and civil society groups in France aimed at helping and integrating refugees.

Foods:

First Meeting /Turkey

27.04/01.05.2023

Organizations delivered presentations introducing themselves. The SEUP and IMEP projects, aimed at supporting the integration and vocational training of Syrian refugee youth in Turkey, were presented. Two refugee youths shared their experiences in Turkey, and the Refugee Association provided insights into their work. We learned about Turkish philosophers who emphasize love for humanity. We visited the Ephesus Ancient City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the House of Virgin Mary. At the Turkish cultural night, we tasted Turkish cuisine, watched folk dances, and listened to Turkish music, gaining insight into Turkish culture.

Foods:

First Meeting /Turkey

27.04/01.05.2023

Activities:

Foods:

First Meeting /Turkey

27.04/01.05.2023

Activities:

Foods:

First Meeting /Turkey

27.04/01.05.2023

Activities:

Some important programs for refugees in Turkey are as follows:

Public Health Services:

A number of programs including basic health services for refugees are implemented in cooperation with AFAD and the Ministry of Health.

Livelihoods and Employment Programs:

Turkey is implementing various programs aimed at providing employment to Syrian refugees. In particular, projects supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry offer refugees the opportunity to work in agriculture and animal husbandry.

Education Programs:

Turkey runs education programs for Syrian refugees. Within the scope of these programs, students are offered free education.