Sander Hehanussa’s Post

⚡ Today is the International Youth Day, celebrating the power of youth! 💡 Young people have an incredible potential to be active agents for peace in their communities and societies. Accordingly, implementing meaningful youth participation is essential for building sustainable peace. 📖 In the current edition of the KOFF peacebuilding magazine à propos you can learn more about projects focusing on youth engagement by different Swiss NGOs - from including youth in mediation processes to offering opportunities through cooking and making Empanads. ➡ https://lnkd.in/ePcHjUE9

I am happy that we were able to put this together, reporting the findings from Germany, Sweden and England. It was an amazing project (UK and EU partnering countries) in 2016-18 from SIRIUS network. There were many useful good practices that practitioners, policy-makers, volunteers, NGOs, academic researchers, and governments shared for supporting the educational integration of young people seeking asylum and refuge. Sharma-Brymer, V., Kakos, M., Koehler, C., & Denkelaar, M. (2024). Supporting the educational integration of young people seeking asylum and refuge: examining good practices from Germany, Sweden and England. Intercultural Education, 1–20. https://lnkd.in/g9hXfBYg

🌎 Berlin’s districts - United for Ukraine On October 8th, Europe Prykhystok had the pleasure of organizing the 2nd meeting with Berlin districts, bringing together key players to focus on what matters most— rehabilitation for Ukrainian children affected by war. Neukölln, Tempelhof Schöneberg, and Treptow-Köpenick, joined us at the table, strengthening our close collaboration with a total of 8 districts in Berlin. The heart of our discussions? A vision for trilateral respite stays that would connect young people from Germany, Ukraine, and France. We are grateful for the financial support of DFJW Deutsch-Französische Jugendwerk, through the MOE Sonderfonds 2025. This program has opened doors for each participating district to organize three impactful respite stays over the next three years—one in Germany, one in France, and one in a neighbouring country near Ukraine. These stays aren’t just about providing temporary relief; they are about strengthening Europe as a unique project for peace, democracy and solidarity more than ever. 🤝 A big thank you to all Berlin districts, your contribution is planting the future of cross-cultural understanding, solidarity, and the well-being of children who have faced unimaginable challenges. Together, we are proving that local communities have the power to create a lasting, positive impact. 🌿 #EuropePrykhystok #BuildingCommunities #CrossCulturalCollaboration #Berlin #RespiteStays #DFJW #MiteinanderStark #UkraineSupport #Partnerships

🇧🇷Today we celebrate one year of cooperation between Emile Foundation and Brazil 🙌 Since May 2023, our organisation, Emile Foundation, has been advocating in over 27 countries to raise awareness about Ukrainian children being forcibly and illegally deported to Russia. For a year now, Brazil has been a vital partner, helping us address the humanitarian aspects of this issue. We are immensely thankful to our team for their intense work on the advocacy programme, sharing the situation of these children with the world. 🇺🇦 Over the last 12 months of partnership with Brazil, we have met with more than 36 senators and members of Congress, as well as ministries and the Brazilian government, with the aim to return illegally deported children to Ukraine. Our NGO focuses its efforts on providing a voice for those who are unable to speak or whose voice cannot be heard. We are absolutely honoured to see such great and important support, as well as promising partnerships for our upcoming activities 🙏🇧🇷 Civil society plays a crucial role in re-establishing democracy, freedom, and solidarity during wartime. It's essential to continue raising awareness until every single child is returned to Ukraine, peace is restored, and the Ukrainian people feel their rights are protected. We wish Brazil all the best as they prepare for and host the G20 Peace Summit, where the Russia-Ukraine war will certainly be discussed. #EmileFoundation #brazilcooperation #children #HumanRightsMatter The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine | European Parliament | Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe | Council of Europe | Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada Ministère des Affaires étrangères français | Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken | Ministry of Foreign Affairs Belgium | Bring Kids Back UA

In the forum moderators section, we present to you the moderator of the second panel (employment and education of Ukrainians in Switzerland) - Marius Bühlmann.

Take a moment to read Charmaine Bonello's article in the Sunday Times of Malta. "We need a shared vision and coordinated action to build a robust early years ecosystem." How? Charmaine argues that governments must: "invest in the early years workforce", "unify services", and "communicate effectively." "The time to act is now. If we continue to treat early childhood development as an afterthought, we jeopardise not only individual lives but the future of our societies." Read the full article in Charmaine's post below! #earlychildhooddevelopment #ecd #ecec #sundaytimes #malta #earlydays #earlydevelopment

Some months ago the 'On the Road: new Routes, Alternative Journeys and fair Tracks. Challenging perspectives on migration, walking different narratives' (ORRAJT) project began an inventory of practices throughout Europe focusing on alternative narratives on migration and inclusion. In the framework of the EU-funded ORRAJT project, ACRA and its partners are offering an open invitation to attend the 'New Narrative on Migration - Community of Practice' online gathering on September 25, 5.30 - 8.00 p.m. This gathering may appeal to representatives of civil society organizations, migration activists, community leaders and decision-makers, local authorities, and interested citizens. OBJECTIVES - Gather representatives of initiatives throughout Europe recognised as good practices to discuss main findings, sharing common strategies and building alliances; - Reflect on the process of reframing debate and narratives around migration. MAIN THEMES OF DISCUSSION - SESSION I. Introduction of the EU-based best practices collected in the scope of the ORRAJT project - SESSION II. Exchange workshop on Narrative Change Approach by Meghann Ormond (Wageningen University/Migrantour Utrecht) HOW TO PARTICIPATE Open participation. Fill out the online form: https://lnkd.in/eZvgCQjg by September, 22

I can’t possibly meet every single together.eu volunteer. But sometimes I wished that my job consisted in only that: meeting, listening to, and guiding all the people that are willing to share the together.eu experience. The members of together.eu are people who offer their time, ideas and energy to foster democracy in Europe. They are the citizens who volunteer to question an MEP on a video interview (coming soon!), raise awareness about voting in schools or share a social media campaign about democracy. There is always a doubt when we launch a “call to action”. There is always the nagging feeling “no one is going to do that, they are going to laugh at us, we’re asking for too much”. Often it’s not just a feeling, but also scepticism from less enthusiastic colleagues. And yet, the opposite happens, there are thousands of people ready to grab our latest idea. By the way, have you considered taking part in the current together.eu competition to get to visit the community in another EU country? Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Pietro, a together.eu volunteer. While he had some questions for me for a university paper, I had as many for him. His determination struck me. He told me how, after some unsuccessful attempts, his organisation’s project was accepted to be part of the programme of the European Youth Event in Forlì and how at the same time he’s organising a street art and civic education project in Molenbeek. It was important for me to listen to how he kept trying until he succeeded. I get a lot of energy from meeting such highly motivated people and it reassures me that we must be doing something right. Of course, we provide all our volunteers with materials (check out the beautiful new “Resources and downloads” page on together.eu) and more importantly concrete ideas and events all over Europe. But I think that the secret is that we never leave the community alone. Week in and week out all together.eu members receive prompts on things to do, they are made aware of campaigns they can chip in, they are offered examples of what others are doing all over Europe. Week in and week out our Liaison offices on the ground contact volunteers and organise initiatives for them. Week in and week out our civil society team is in touch with organisations with information and calls to action that speak to them. Believe me, I know that we still have a HUGE margin of improvement in how we organise our community, but I think that our strength lies in the fact that, even if we can’t meet everyone of them, we don’t leave anyone alone. It’s difficult and messy, but so is an open and democratic society. It continues in the comments because I have so much to say and clearly I have no idea when to stop. Week 8 of 23 #useyouvote #together #togethereu #citizenengagement #mobilisation #roadtoEE24 #europeanelections #euelections2024 https://lnkd.in/ev3632Tr

Every year on September 21st, the world comes together to observe the International Day of Peace, a day dedicated to promoting the ideals of peace, both within and among nations. Established by the United Nations in 1981, this day serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles for peace and the collective responsibility we share in fostering a more harmonious world. I believe that peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is also a state of justice, equality, and respect for human rights. In a world rife with violence, discrimination, and inequality, the pursuit of peace requires us to confront the root causes of these issues. From economic disparity to environmental degradation and political oppression, the challenges we face are interconnected. And I believe that we must recognize that true peace can only be achieved when we address these underlying injustices. On this International Day of Peace, here are several ways we can take action: 1. Support Peacebuilding Initiatives: Identify and support organizations and movements that are actively working towards peace in your community or globally. Whether through donations, volunteering, or amplifying their messages, your support can help sustain their vital work. 2. Practice Nonviolence: We must embody the principles of nonviolence in our actions and interactions. This means rejecting hate speech, promoting inclusivity, and finding peaceful solutions to conflicts. Our methods should reflect the world we wish to create. 3. Celebrate Diversity: Embrace and celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures, beliefs, and identities that make up our global community. Recognizing and valuing diversity is essential to building a peaceful society. The International Day of Peace is not just a day of reflection; it is a call to action. And we have the power to influence change and inspire others to join in the pursuit of a more peaceful world. Together, we can create a future where peace is not just an ideal, but a lived reality for all.

My last name withstanding, I deeply identify with my Irish heritage. I lived in Galway and received a master's degree in Culture & Colonialism and my time there also impacted my understanding of the international impact that particular country has had on world history. That's why I'm excited about the new book entitled "Aiding Ireland: The Great Famine and the Rise of Transnational Philanthropy" 🍀 Here's the synopsis from NYU Press: Famine brought ruin to the Irish countryside in the nineteenth century. In response, people around the world and from myriad social, ethnic, and religious backgrounds became involved in Irish famine relief. They included enslaved Black people in Virginia, poor tenant farmers in rural New York, and members of the Cherokee and Choctaw nations, as well as plantation owners in the US south, abolitionists in Pennsylvania, and, politicians in England and Ireland. Most of these people had no personal connection to Ireland. For many, the famine was their first time participating in distant philanthropy. Aiding Ireland investigates the Irish famine as a foundational moment for normalizing international giving. Anelise Hanson Shrout argues that these diverse men and women found famine relief to be politically useful. Shrout takes readers from Ireland to Britain, across the Atlantic to the United States, and across the Mississippi to Indian Territory, uncovering what was to be gained for each group by participating in global famine relief. Aiding Ireland demonstrates that international philanthropy and aid are never simple, and are always intertwined with politics both at home and abroad. #StPatricksDay