EUROPEAN COMMUNITY GROUPS AND LEADERS COME TOGETHER IN LONDON TO STOP THE DIVISIONS WITHIN THE EUROPEAN UNION
During difficult political times for the UK government and the EU, the IARS International Institute will bring together over 200 delegates from marginalised European communities at its Annual International conference on 12-13th July at Middle Temple, Middle Temple Lane, London EC4Y 9AT.
The conference is titled “European Community Voices Stronger Together: Abused and Stigmatised no More” and will launch the findings of two Erasmus+ funded projects that the Institute has been coordinating over the last three years.
Dr. Theo Gavrielides, IARS’ Founder and Director and Programme Coordinator, said: “Brexit has had serious and longterm consequences for the UK government and its people. It also raised a number of questions around EU accountability, equality and justice. At the Institute, we have always tried to create a space for dialogue and negotiation using
our founding values of restorative justice and power sharing. Our 6th Annual International Conference could not be more timely launching the findings of two equality programmes that aim to empower some of Europe’s most disadvantaged groups. We look forward to working with all those who believe that true power is one that is shared”.
The conference coincides with US President’s visit to the UK and aims to address some controversial statements in relation to migration, security and equality.
Simon Chambers, Erasmus+ Programme Lead at the British Council, said: “Another reminder from IARS of the difference young people can make, working together on the issues that matter! Both of the Youth projects showcased at the conference also point to the importance of international experience – giving access to new skills and experience, and networks for collaboration. There’s scope for plenty more projects – as ambitious and as relevant as these – in the two full years remaining of the Erasmus+ programme, 2019 and 2020.”
In fact, the 12th of July is exclusively dedicated on issues facing LGBT+ migrants and refugees who become marginalised both by the local LGBT+ community and public services. Along with our European partners, we will launch the final result of the Erasmus funded programme “Epsilon” project, which highlights existing gaps in service provision for LGBT migrants and those working with this particularly marginalised group. The eBook features a comparative section reviewing current practice across Europe as well as chapters in Greek, Italian and Dutch.
On the 13th July, the conference will launch the cutting-edge findings of the Erasmus+ funded “Abused No More: Safeguarding Youth and Empowering Professionals” programme, addressing existing gaps in the provision of legal education for young women affected by gender-based violence (GBV) including Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), rape and forced marriage. The eBook features a comparative chapter reviewing current practice across Europe as well as chapters in Greek, Italian and Polish. Recommendations for future policy and practice are formulated to help protect this particularly marginalied group of young people.
Over the last 3 years, professionals, young people and LGBT migrants have benefited from freely available, tailored online training tools and resources resulting from both projects. The tools aim to increase users’ knowledge and confidence as well as to strengthen professionals’ capacity in providing tailored and successful services.
Emma Colburn, a young person and member of the IARS Youth Advisory Board said: “Abused no More is such an important project because of the immense need that there is for legal literacy, especially for people from marginalised backgrounds. The access to this knowledge will certainly help these people that are susceptible to unfair treatment, discrimination, and abuse. The goal of this is so that these marginalised people will be aware of their basic rights and responsibilities as equal members of society.”
