Rocco: The message that is protecting and caring for the Environment is everyone’s business was sent by the Schistos Structure by the Deputy Ministers of Migration and Asylum and Environment and Energy Sofia Voultepsi and Giorgos Amyras, as well as the head of the IOM in Greece, Ambassador Gianluca Rocco.
This first awareness-raising action for the protection of the Environment was completed with the participation of 16 nationals of third countries (Syria, Afghanistan, Morocco, Lebanon, Yemen, Uganda, Somalia and Iraq), in the context of accession programs implemented with the financing of the Recovery Fund and Resilience, Greece 2.0.
Valuable help in the implementation of the action was also offered by the twelve-member group of volunteers and Civil Protection employees of the Municipality of Alimos led by the deputy mayor Mr. Nikolaos Albanos.
The participants in the action proceeded to clean the forecourts of the Structure and the surrounding outdoor areas.
The purpose of the action is to raise the awareness of refugees and immigrants by informing and educating them on issues related to the protection of the Environment, thus strengthening their ties with local communities.
It was preceded by a week of theoretical training, during which the participants attended language and intercultural training courses with the contribution of the International Organization for Migration. The contribution of the Commander of the Structure, Thomas Papakonstantinou, was also important.
After the end of the action, the Deputy Minister of Immigration and Asylum responsible for Integration, Ms Sofia Vultepsi, said:
“It is very important that these people know the risks and deal with any threat, protecting themselves and local communities. Education is the first step for a smooth integration process, and environmental protection is at the top of our plans. And it is a blessing that the Recovery Fund offers us this unique and innovative opportunity.”
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr Giorgos Amyras, spoke about the action:
“Today, in Schistos, we held a very special event. The Ministry of the Environment, in collaboration with the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, Volunteers from the Municipality of Alimos and immigrants, carried out an educational activity to clean the forest near the Structure. We clean the forests; we live together.”
The head of the IOM in Greece, Ambassador Gianluca Rocco, emphasized:
“Today’s initiative brings refugees and the local community together around a critical issue, such as environmental protection. Shared values are a key element of integration, and environmental protection is certainly a top value for both Greece and the EU.”
“It is with great pleasure that we are here today to support this excellent action. The group of Civil Protection volunteers, together with the employees of the Municipality of Alimos, participate with feelings of love and solidarity, in the training program for recognized refugees in the Structure of the Schistos, in environmental issues and also forest fire prevention issues. Both I and the Mayor of Alimos, Mr Andreas Kondylis, we sincerely thank the Minister, Ms Sofia Vultepsi, for the invitation and the opportunity she gave us to teach but also to learn,” pointed out the Deputy Mayor of Civil Protection of the municipality of Alimos, Mr Nikolaos Albanos.
All the integration programs of the Recovery Fund are implemented through the cooperation of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum (Integration Sector), with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the general coordinator is Archpriest Dr. Kalliopi Saini.
