bridge bridge for researchers in danger going to europe · 2020. 10. 16. · mr. ahmad al ajlan-...

BRiDGE project is financed by the EC under H2020, GA No 788339

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BRiDGE – Bridge for Researchers in Danger Going to Europe

H2020 - Grant Agreement No.: 788339

Type of Action: Coordination and Support Actions Call: H2020-SwafS-2016-17/H2020-SwafS-2017-1 Start date of project: 1st April 2018 Duration: 24 months

WP5: Dissemination and Outreach

Deliverable No.: D.5.4

BRiDGE Conference

Issued by: CERTH Issue date: M24 Due date: M24 Work Package Leader: CERTH


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Document History (Revisions – Amendments)

Version and date Changes

18/2/2020 Version 1


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Introduction

This document is the Report on the BRiDGE Conference (D.5.4), as part of Work Package 5: BRiDGE

Dissemination and Outreach. Work Package 5 aims at establishing a comprehensive, consistent,

accessible and sustainable dissemination strategy for the project, to strengthen the visibility and

effectiveness of the project by communicating better, by promoting activities of the project to both

stakeholders and target groups and to cooperate with them.

In line with the description of the Task 5.2 Awareness Campaign – Promotion of Results, a final 2

days BRiDGE conference: “Policy advice for the integration of Researchers in Danger into the EU

Job market” took place in Athens, Greece on 11-12th February 2020.

The aim of the conference was to give an overview of the most important results of the project and

bring together relevant stakeholders-from the European Commission, relevant projects, local and

national public authorities, academic and private sector, NGOs, refugee self-organizations,

EURAXESS members- with refugee researchers (RRs) and mentors in order to formulate

appropriate policy recommendations facilitating the inclusion of Researchers in Danger into the

European labour market based on the experience gained during the implementation of the BRiDGE

Project.

During the two days, around 80 participants engaged in discussions on how to enable the integration

of highly skilled refugees in the European Research Area (ERA) through career development advisory

services, training, academic and non-academic mentoring for the RRs. It was also in general agreed

that the legislative support from policy makers as well as funding mechanisms in place, at both

national and European level, are required.

Before the opening of the conference a press conference was held, resulting in two articles on

Greek newspapers related to the activities and the output of the BRiDGE project:

https://m.huffingtonpost.gr/entry/bridge-eeropaiko-proyramma-yia-ten-entaxe-ereeneton-se-kindeno-sten-ayora-eryasias_gr_5e43b2efc5b6d0ea38108686?ve

https://www.amna.gr/mobile/articleen/429996/Ereuna-gia-to-akadimaiko-profil-ton-prosfugon

https://m.huffingtonpost.gr/entry/bridge-eeropaiko-proyramma-yia-ten-entaxe-ereeneton-se-kindeno-sten-ayora-eryasias_gr_5e43b2efc5b6d0ea38108686?vehttps://m.huffingtonpost.gr/entry/bridge-eeropaiko-proyramma-yia-ten-entaxe-ereeneton-se-kindeno-sten-ayora-eryasias_gr_5e43b2efc5b6d0ea38108686?vefile:///E:/REPORT_CONFERENCE/BRIDGE_D5.4.docxfile:///E:/REPORT_CONFERENCE/BRIDGE_D5.4.docx


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The event agenda (ANNEX I) combined plenary panel discussions, which allowed for interaction

between the participants, as well as a World Café session, where smaller-groups exchanged

opinions on more concrete topics.

The aim of this summary report is to provide an overview of the main discussion points during the

sessions designed and coordinated by the BRiDGE consortium and to put forward a number of

recommendations for policy makers and relevant stakeholders.

Photo 1: Plenary panel on the BRiDGE Final Conference

The Conference Materials and Presentations are available at the BRiDGE’s website:

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/International/projects/bridge/events.html

https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/International/projects/bridge/events.html


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Day One: 11th February 2020 After a welcome speech the coordinator of the project-Ms. Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu, University

of Bielefeld (UNIBI) gave an overall overview of the BRiDGE and BRiDGE II projects for

Researchers in Danger Going to Europe:

BRiDGE-II-Athens-2

020.pdf

Panel discussion on the BRIDGE survey findings: Paths, perspectives and career

aspirations of researchers in danger

Chair: Mr. Artemios Saitakis - Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas (FORTH),

Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu

Ms. Pepa Krasteva – European Commission

Dr. Pinelopi Vergou, University of Thessaly

Mr. Symeon Gkoudrololos – Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Athens

The aim of this panel was to discuss the findings of the survey “Refugee Researchers in Europe:

BRiDGE survey findings”, presented by Ms. Marina Nikolova and Dr. Angelos Tramountanis.

Bridge Surevy

2020.pdf

Photo 2: Panel on the BRIDGE survey findings


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Key Points

The findings of the survey were first commented by Ms. Eleni Andianopoulou, followed by a

discussion. During the discussion 3 questions were raised by the Chair to the panellists,

requesting their comments and suggestions:

1. What are the policies and programmes implemented by their respective organisations

in order to improve employability and to develop skills of the Refugee Researchers

(RRs)?

Ms Krasteva referred to the existing similar projects financed by the EC to support RRs and to

integrate them into the hosting countries. Regarding the new programming period 2021-2027,

the EC programmes are under the preparation phase.

Prof. Penelopi Vergou presented the activities of the University of Thessaly to support RRs

related to integration of immigrants as well as the policies adopted by the Greek state in order

to facilitate their reception and accommodation. Prof. Penelopi Vergou stressed that language

competences remain an important issue for course enrolment and in addition the integration

of RRs cannot be realized without the recognition of diplomas and qualifications. The BRiDGE

project’s results can motivate the universities to proceed towards this direction.

Mr. Gkoudrololos from the Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, firstly stressed the fact

concerning the mismatch between actual acquired skills and labour skills demand as well as

the weakness of the Greek economy to generate new jobs for highly skilled scientists, taking

also into account the high rate of unemployment in the Greek labour market.

Afterwards, he presented the initiatives of the Greek government to support RRs in finding a

job, but also commented on the language and skills barriers. “Rebrain Greece” Programme is

one of the initiatives of the Greek government in collaboration with industry to hire

researchers with advanced skills through subsidies, as incentives, and the implementation of

smart policies for better adaptation of researchers in the job market, including RRs.


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2. As the survey shows, the majority of the RRs want to stay in the host countries. Are

there any activities/programmes to integrate the RRs in the host countries?

Ms. Eleni Andianopoulou pointed out that although mentoring is essential is more

complicated process. Based on the experience of the project, it takes a lot of time and a lot of

funding support is required to speed up the process compared to the training where the RRs

can gain transferrable soft skills. The starting point should be for RRs to identify a mentor to

facilitate their entrance in the job market. At institutional level is easier to find a volunteer

mentor.

Ms Krasteva added that mentoring is an interaction process and can be effective in the case

that RRs could be matched to researchers in Western countries.

Mr. Gkoudrololos expressed the opinion that the previous employment of RRs in their

countries of origin can facilitate the first integration (penetration) in the labour market and a

good employer can adopt the role of a mentor.

3. According to the survey, a high number of RRs found jobs by themselves, without the

help from the supporting organisations. Is there any explanation for this finding?

Mr. Gkoudrololos confirmed that the Manpower Organization of Greece – OAED – has not special

registration mechanism for job search in place for RRs.

Based on her experience dealing with RRs, Prof. Penelopi Vergou stated that the majority

advice NGOs for job search as public authorities are less flexible. An involvement of actors

from different levels (NGOs, municipalities) would facilitate the process.

Key messages:

It was recognized by all panellists that the mentoring scheme is very crucial, confirming

the survey findings that almost 85 % of the responders are satisfied with the mentoring

process and the support provided by the mentors;


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Vocational training, language and entrepreneurship programmes are considered as

very important for the development of soft skills and better integration of RRs in the

European labour market;

The recognition of professional and educational skills of asylum-seekers will enable

their labour integration, but also may be of great help for easing the integration of

other asylum-seekers;

A close collaboration structure between NGOs and local/national authorities would be

highly beneficial in order to really support the career paths of RRs;

Funding schemes (national social funds, fellowships and internships programmes,

national cofinancing to private sector to hire RRs with a chance to prove their technical

and social know-how) would provide a valuable support for RRs for accessing the

labour market;

The three most important measures for the integration of RRS either in the academic

or non- academic sectors are: 1) linguistic support 2) financial support and 3) guidance

and counselling.

Panel discussion on the journey and perspectives of Refugee Researchers

Chair: Mr. Saad Yaseen - Ph.D. candidate

Mr. Abas Haidari - University of Aegean

Mr. Nasruddin Nizami - Greek Council For Refugees, Solomon

Mr. Ahmad Al Ajlan- Institute for Interdisciplinary Conflict and Violence Research, University

of Bielefeld

The discussion started with the question raised by the Chair: Mr. Saad Yaseen related to the

obstacles faced by the panelists RRs for their integration to the host countries.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004625732857&__tn__=%2CdlC-R-R&eid=ARDCO1uxwjFJ8ux2f61h8JUtlEf23pP8e6jO3VB2k6Vgl6hMkkHJopoCwvr_vwrD4Ebjf8nfyXWUuBKQ&hc_ref=ARSxlAhLXeOPQn1qgY6rXOkOOIQBdy2xswQ5s4tRfVQF6-lpX1lr4nVS4lnswV4-Log&ref=nf_target


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Key Points

It was generally agreed that the most important barrier was the length of asylum procedures,

withholding integration support. The status determination set people on a path towards social

exclusion. EU asylum policy may have particular effects on labour market integration: in many cases

lengthy asylum procedures and uncertainty regarding status renewal contribute to the employment

gap between refugees and other non-EU migrants as well as uncertainty among service providers

and employers regarding rights and obligations pending an assessment of their claim.

Acquiring refugee status also means acquiring the legal right to enter the labour market without

restrictions. However, this presents a new set of barriers such as job availability, familiarity with the

local employment market (CV and job interview part), knowledge of the language, and qualifications

recognition.

Photo 3: Panel on the journey and perspectives of Refugee Researchers

The effects of big delays in training, recognition of diplomas and a lack in language skills are

extremely significant for long-term unemployment rates of RRs.

Another important aspect is the accommodation of the RRs. Those who spend longer periods in

reception centers or temporary accommodation centers during the asylum process are also less


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likely to have the time and resources to invest in language skills and other skills relevant for finding

employment or establish contacts with the host societies.

The social inclusion affects as well the integration of RRs, who face challenges breaking down

barriers and forming friendships or associations with members of the receiving population. This is

related to language ability, cultural, mentality and religious differences, fear of rejection or

experiences of racism, time and psychological limitations connected to concerns about

employment, housing and lack of documents for family reunification.

Further, the discussion focused on the factors affecting the integration in the labour market.

Language allows a refugee to feel part of the wider society, enables friendships, and facilitates day-

to-day living. A lack of language skills presents barriers to networking, retraining, job-seeking,

housing, employment, and severely restricts the ability to be self-reliant. Specific influences on

language and education identified include employment, agency support and the provision of

information, validation of certificates and skills, language training, age, family unity, household

economics, health and the asylum process.

Obstacles identified by participants included the often long time spent in the asylum process

creating gaps in the Curriculum Vitae while awaiting a decision on an asylum application.

Key messages

Citizenship should be considered the ultimate target of all the integration policies, as an

important factor for social inclusion;

Social integration is not a one-way street. Attitudes and openness of the receiving

population is instrumental in facilitating social contact with RRs by eliminating diversity;

Integration services, such as mandatory integration programmes, orientation and language

courses, job guidance and recognition of migrants’ qualifications upon arrival, including

cultural and practical orientation, are additional factors that boost social inclusion;

Administration and documentation can form a barrier to entering employment in the period

after the granting of refugee status. The transition from asylum-seeker to refugee often


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requires specific support and attention to ensure timely access to labour market and

services;

The output of the BRiDGE project and relevant existing projects and initiatives, including

cooperation and engagement of different stakeholders can make an impact in the support

provided to highly skilled refugees.

Career Support in the BRiDGE Projects for Researchers in Danger How mentoring networks work for a good career plan

o Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu

Bridge mentoring

February 2020.pdf

What trainings are useful for researchers in danger entering the European Research Area

o Ms. Svetlana Dimitrova – Sofia University

BRiDGE-WP4.pdf

Panel: How to support the career of researchers in danger, BRiDGE

project results

Chair: Ms. Svetlana Dimitrova

Dr. Pinelopi Vergou (University of Thessaly)

Mr. Saad Yaseen

Mr. Abas Haidari

Mr. Nasruddin Nizami

Prof. Dr. Grigoris Zarotiadis, Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki

Mr. Artemios Saitakis, FORTH


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The Chair: Ms. Svetlana Dimitrova raised 3 questions:

To panelists refugee researchers - What was the most valuable for you project

outcome (mentoring, meetings, training...) and why?

To the panelists academia local representatives - How we could improve the project

outcomes in the remaining time (the video handbook for mentors, mentoring as a

whole...)?

To all panelists - From the point of view of the BRiDGE results what would you suggest

to be improved/added in the last half of the BRiDGE II?

Key Points

RRs shared their experience that both mentoring programme and training courses

implemented under the BRiDGE project provided them great support in terms of additional

skills, networking, job search support (EURAXESS portal Jobs section) and individual career

counselling, getting them closer to the EU academic and non-academic labor market. They

suggest that there should be a policy discussion on recognition of diplomas;

Support for initiatives aiming at developing or enhancing integration practices of students

and scholars with a refugee background with the efforts of European higher education

community should be in place. Grant and scholarship schemes for higher education could be

included in refugee integration support -Prof. Dr. Grigoris Zarotiadis;

Access to employment opportunities is instrumental to successful integration and employer

partners play a role in hiring refugees, hosting internships and apprenticeships, advising on

the skills and competencies needed and bridging programmes, and partnering on targeted

recruitment. It was suggested by Mr Artemios Saitakis that there is a need for supporting

the hosts of refugee researchers on national level;

The mentoring scheme can be expanded to include non-academic mentors, as employers

can also serve as mentors for refugee entrepreneurs, providing guidance and support to

asylum-seekers and refugees who are interested to run their own businesses. RRs can

participate in entrepreneurship skills training (digital, marketing, and communications skills


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as well as drafting and implementing a successful business plan) and in a mentoring scheme

-Mr. Artemios Saitakis;

There are national as well as European (e.g. the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, which is a

cross-border exchange programme which gives new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to

learn from experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other Participating Countries)

that can be addressed by RRs to set up their own business -Mr. Artemios Saitakis;

Context is key to building and maintaining the relationships with the private sector: The best

ways of engaging with the private sector (and for the private sector to engage) may differ

depending on the economic context, target group and attributes of the labour market in

each country. At the same time, mentors are often able to cope with the challenges faced

by the RRs and can offer a practical, country-specific perspective on what is needed for their

labour market integration and cultivate safety feelings concerning housing, health, and

pension etc. Holistic approach in these cases is at highly applicable. - Dr. Pinelopi Vergou

(University of Thessaly);

The activities of the BRiDGE project should be more advertised in order to attract the private

sector interested to hire RRs. A committee could be established to select appropriate RRs

and match them with the interested companies e.g. by organizing job fairs, collaborate with

municipal job centres; consider alternative recruiting channels such as NGO’s, social media

on recruiting mentees - Mr. Saad Yaseen;

The cooperation of authorities and universities is crucial – closer work of municipalities and

other institutions with the academic mentors and NGOs, more joint projects, more support

for volunteer work, etc. – Mr Nasriddin Nizami.

To sum up the factors to support the career of researchers in danger:

o Language, critical point for integration

o Incentives for the private sector to hire RRs hosting internships and apprenticeships

o Personalized mentoring based on professional background, personal characteristics and

mentees’ career goals


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o Pilot training on entrepreneurship skills (digital, marketing, and communications skills as well

as drafting and implementing a successful business plan)

o Including different sectors and parts of the society in the process

Day Two: 12th February 2020

Panel discussion on Perspectives for the integration of RR

Chair: Μs. Maria Eirini Mountaki - Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Integration into the

Labour Market Directorate

NGO’s representative - MR. Nasruddin Nizami

SolomonLAB

Presentation.pdf

University or R&D institution representative: The InSPIREurope initiative - Prof Grigoris

Zarotiadis, Dean of the AUTh Faculty of Economic and Political Sciences

zarotiadis

ΙnSRIPEurope.pdf

KEM (Migrant Integration Centre) representative - Ms. Athina Vrakatseli - Publicity

Consultant at KEM

KEM_presentationE

NG_03022020.pdf

PRAXI Network technology transfer unit of the Foundation for Research and Technology –

Hellas representative-Ms Irianna Lianaki-Dedouli


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Dedouli -

Perspectives for the integration of Researchers in Danger.pdf

After the presentation of the above stakeholders providing and implementing integration services

the Chair: Μs. Maria Eirini Mountaki asked for the point of view of the panelists on which aspects,

procedures could be improved at their organizations as well as at national level in order to assure a

smooth integration of RRs in the Greek labor market resulting in the following:

Key messages

Prof. Dr. Grigoris Zarotiadis pointed out that the higher education institutions have several

support services for young researchers, mentoring programmes for young students and

social actions. The existence of VOCATIONAL and SOCIAL BRIDGE can facilitate the enrolment

as many as possible refugee students into the academic life;

Α program of broader actions and events should be designed to promote

effective collaboration and co-creation between organisations, bodies, funders and key

decision-makers, stakeholders in the public, private and social sectors, as well

as representatives from the refugee communities in Greece for supporting refugees not only

with the employment opportunities, but also with accommodation and administrative

support;

The new programmatic cycle of the European Structural and Investment Funds (2021-2027)

as well as the national budget and other EC funding instruments offer an opportunity to

secure funding for longer term interventions;

RRs should be directly integrated in the labour market. Apart from securing their right to

Social Security Number, it is more than crucial for the Greek state to introduce separate

procedures for officially recognizing their previous educational and professional experience

to enable their early labour integration. This is for instance a practice followed by many

NGOs employing former refugees to assist newly arrived;


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Thinking of language learning as a critical step for engaging with the Greek society, it is quite

problematic that is currently provided only by a few municipal authorities, some NGOs, and

one public university;

Participants also highlighted the interdependency between areas of integration, in particular

employment, housing and health;

Citizenship is both a motive for asylum-seekers and refugees to integrate faster in Greek

society;

Greece should provide the necessary legal framework for securing RRs, allowing them to

meet basic needs, such as housing, education, medical care, employment and the rest of

social and cultural frameworks related to integration should be decentralized and oriented

to local societies;

The intercultural competence should be developed as a two-way process in order to

facilitate the successful integration in the EU labor market;

Diversity is included in the process of integration and creates innovation – diversity

encourages innovative problem solving.

Panel discussion on Outcomes of relevant European projects

Chair: Prof. Miroslav Trajanović, Department for production and IT, University of Nis

The Science4Refugees in Aegean Archipelago (SCIREA) project – Mr. Abas Haidari,

University of Aegean

Academic Horizon - From academic to professional integration – Ms. Stefanie Gonzalez-

Chargee du suivi academique, social et professionnel Programme Horizon academique,

Universite de Geneve

EURAXESS TOPIV Project: Task 3.4 Refugee Initiatives - Ms. Mag. Maria Unger, OeAD

(Osterreichische Austauschdienst)-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter Haftung

The Chair- Professor Miroslav Trajanovic, spoke briefly about possible career paths for researchers.

He noted that only a small number of PhD students are employed in academic institutions after


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finishing doctoral studies, while over 90% of researchers with a title continue their careers outside

the academy.

Mr. Abas Haidari refugee working at the University of Aegean presented the SCIREA project which

aims to help Asylum seekers and Refugees scientists, living in Greece, to re-integrate in the

academia and in the labour market of Europe and to improve their qualifications.

Mr. Haidari stated that The Greek universities responded to the challenge of the refugee influx,

especially the University of the Aegean, which is located in the eastern Mediterranean migration

route.

SCIREA - Abas.pdf

Ms. Stefanie Gonzalez, presented initiative Academic Horizon - From academic to professional

integration.

Gonzalez - Athens

2020 From academic to professional integration.pdf

The aim of the initiative is to solve issue of low occupation rate of individuals with an asylum and

migrant background. She underlined that migrants with university degrees are often employed in

non-qualified job positions (catering, cleaning, transport, etc.). Therefore, initiative Academic

Horizon launched a public-private approach to face the low employability rate of refugees in the

academic sector, as an interface for social innovation.

Ms. Mag. Maria Unger, from OeAD (Österreichische Austauschdienst), presented some activities

and results of the Task 3.4 Refugee Initiatives of ongoing project EURAXESS TOPIV. The task is

focused on refugee researchers (R1-R4) who are looking for access to the European labour market.

Four national workshops (one in each beneficiary country: CY, GR, TR, AT) was organised for the

people who are working with refugee researchers, NGOs or local authorities with the aim to discuss

elaboration of recommendations.


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Maria - EURAXESS

TOPIV_WP3_Task3.4_OeAD.pdf

Internship Programme


Andrianopulu -

internship program february 2020.pdf

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


Andrianopulu -

BRiDGE - Funding - 12.02.2020.pdf

World Café

Academic career planning (Moderator: Mr. Ahmad Al Ajlan)

Important to have a mentor as a path to obtain qualification in many fields, but equally as a

means of helping RRs to continue their research (publications, applications for funding),

cultural proximity, e.g. language and intercultural competence, shared experiences;

Provision of linguistic support (English and host language);

Teaching at the Universities in order to get familiar with the academic setting and

institutional culture. It’s important to unlock the potential of RRs in terms of different ideas

and share their experience;

Social networking in order for RRs to enhance the integration process into the academic life.

Non academic career planning (Moderator: Mr. Saad Yaseen)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004625732857&__tn__=%2CdlC-R-R&eid=ARDCO1uxwjFJ8ux2f61h8JUtlEf23pP8e6jO3VB2k6Vgl6hMkkHJopoCwvr_vwrD4Ebjf8nfyXWUuBKQ&hc_ref=ARSxlAhLXeOPQn1qgY6rXOkOOIQBdy2xswQ5s4tRfVQF6-lpX1lr4nVS4lnswV4-Log&ref=nf_target


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The goal was to find a job in the non-academic sector

Barriers

i. Language Barrier :

1. The language must be learned in a way to enable RRs to communicate, network,

access job market;

2. Therefore, higher levels of language training have to be provided to the new

comers as early as possible to be able to join the competition.

ii. Career Orientation: in order to get a clear understanding of educational and career

opportunities and options to make meaningful and informed career choices, be informed on

the skills and competencies needed and understand how the EU labor market works.

iii. Recognition of the documents: Recognition of qualifications, skills and experience was

identified as a significant challenge. Where qualification recognition procedures exist, they

are sometimes inconsistent or do not offer official validation that would be accepted by

employers or further education institutions.

2. After overcoming the obstacles, there is a necessity to be aware of the sources for job

searching:

i. Funding & Resources (Organization / Private Sector): a lot of job and funding

opportunities are published, but RRs are not aware about the channels and are not

well informed in order to apply at the right time. Thus, a systematic approach to

reaching out to these groups is necessary.

ii. Exchange opportunities / Workshops: Some association und universities organize

several workshops and training sessions, where RRs have the opportunity to gain

knowledge on soft skills (CV writing, job interview preparation etc.) and be familiar

with the local employment market.

iii. Websites: several website / platforms where the user can post his C.V, and

companies could directly contact him. Such websites are XING, LinkedIn,

ResearchGate, and Academia.

iv. EURAXESS Jobs Portal (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/my/offer-postings)

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/my/offer-postings


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3. Finding a mentor

Field specific knowledge and guidance towards getting a job within their professional field

Integration into the EU labor market

Gain professional confidence

Plans for the future – refugees develop a short term as well as a long term plan with specific

steps to take in order to access a job within their field

Expansion of their professional network

Clarification of qualifications

4. What is missing?

i. Information about funding opportunities, internships and apprenticeships (such as

BRIDGE II activities) throughout a newsletter.

ii. Build a bridge between RRs and public/private sector. Ensuring the active

involvement of employers remains a challenge. Aside from the lengthy and complex

administrative processes involved in obtaining residence and work permits for the

lack of information on available procedures and support measures is a disincentive

for employers to hire RRs.

iii. Invite stakeholders including national and city authorities, civil society organizations,

NGOs, the private sector and academic institutions to some special events in order

to establish partnerships

Policy advice for the integration into the labor market (Moderator: Dr. Cuneyt Gurer

(Universitat Siegen)

Funding directly to the RRs and the sustainability of the support structures to enable them

to continue and establish their research or to study in a different thematic area;

Provision of incentives to companies to host internships and apprenticeships, advising on

the skills and competencies needed in work-readiness and bridging programmes, and

partnering on targeted recruitment for RRs;


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Support employment agencies in recognizing skills of refugees and in directing them to

appropriate employment. In addition, to ensure qualified or skilled refugees are recognized,

skills assessment should be introduced as early as possible. This will reduce the pressure to

RRs and avoid them to find an entry-level ‘survival job’ that may initially cover living expenses

but do not allow them to fulfil their potential.

Post-arrival, career development programmes should be designed to help RRs to move into

high-skill, high-wage jobs that offer opportunities for career advancement.

Considering the negative impact on both integration and the ability to return following

prolonged time spent in asylum procedures, efforts should be made to ensure efficiency in

asylum procedures. Obstacles identified, included the often long time spent in the asylum

process, which creates gaps in the Curriculum Vitae of the RRs while awaiting a decision on

the asylum application.

Support to be provided to all asylum-seekers, whether living in reception centres or not

during the asylum process, can have a positive impact also on integration.

Cultural integration (Moderator: Mr. Nasruddin Nizami)

Understanding how refugees are doing in terms of social integration and social inclusion is

particularly difficult, taking into account their different backgrounds and cultures. Many

European countries are recognizing the value of communicating clearly with refugees and

asylum-seekers about the socio-cultural aspects of the receiving society as a first step of

making sure the integration process is supported in a context-specific way.

Language barriers are the main obstacle to successful integration: the ability of refugees to

communicate effectively is key to the successful implementation of any integration measure.

Access to language courses which are appropriate to RRs’ levels is desirable.

Wrap up: Policy recommendations for RR integration in the EU labour

market - Donovan Babin


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Given the multidimensional and complex nature of integration, close cooperation between

different actors is a prerequisite for successful intervention. Across the various measures

and integration areas, different cooperation models between public services, private

organisations and social partners have been identified. Cooperation has been found to be

particularly challenging when a high number of actors from a wide variety of stakeholders

are involved, requiring good information and communication flows to avoid duplication and

maximise synergies;

Integration support measures, whether at the regional, national or local level, should be

underpinned by a fundamental understanding that each individual brings with them

strengths and skills that can help them thrive in their new home, and be designed to

empower them to make the most of this potential. Putting in place structures to allow for a

holistic, individualised case management approach can help ensure this;

Conditions, practices and support during the asylum process should promote dignity and aim

at empowering the individual asylum-seeker. This should include preparing the individual for

future integration for those in need of protection, or for return. As such, ways in which

asylum-seekers could be brought into the employment market or benefit from language

should be considered.

Public authorities and service providers implementing integration measures may face a

number of practical challenges. For example, the profiles and characteristics of refugees and

asylum seekers participating in measures often vary substantially in terms of language skills,

cultural background and legal status. This requires a high level of flexibility on the part of

those involved in implementation.

Public services should involve refugees more closely in the design and implementation of

integration measures, so that their perspectives and experiences can become embedded in

the measures, as they may express obstacles that are not evident to public authorities or

service providers involved in designing integration measures.


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Concluding Remarks - Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu

EU strives for innovation, new ideas and talents on one side and on the other side the EU is

in a unique position to formulate a European integration policy that guides and supports

national efforts to this effect despite differences in the social, economic and cultural

contexts of its member states;

The EU plays a major role in the integration of refugees and asylum seekers with different

cultures, both in setting up a legislative framework for receiving and dealing with these

target groups and in supporting measures aimed at facilitating their integration in the

Member States – financially and through coordination of support;

Continuation of support and funding for integration initiatives, both on national and

European level for RRs, which will impact the course of Europe in the future;

Public authorities and services, in collaboration with other actors in the Member States,

should actively learn from the implemented measures in their specific national contexts to

ensure preparedness and an effective response should flows increase again in the future.

Replicability and transferability of success factors should be encouraged: coordination

actions (e.g. cooperation of different networks) at EU level could play a leading role in this;

The existing projects and initiatives can provide relevant evidence, which points out the need

for more cooperation and networking between project consortia in Europe. For example, in

the case of EU funded projects, more (coordinated) communication would be welcome

between the European Commission and project consortia, to keep awareness and visibility

of the different activities implemented across Europe and to avoid redundancy and overlap,

and instead - ensure synergies;

This Conference raised different voices and perspectives concerning the output of the

BRiDGE project in terms of the training, mentoring, academic and non-academic career

planning, policy recommendations for stakeholders to facilitate the design of a European

framework for action.


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ANNEX I


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This project has received funding from the European

Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No

788339


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BRiDGE (Bridge for Researchers in Danger Going to Europe)

Final Conference “Policy advice for the integration of Researchers in Danger into the EU Job market”

11-12th February 2020

Venue: National Hellenic Research Foundation (NHRF)

48 Vassileos Constantinou Ave.

''Leonidas Zervas'' amphitheatre, Athens

Day One: 11th February 2020 09.00-09.45- Press Conference

Dr. Ahmad Al Ajlan, Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu – Bielefeld University

Mr. Angelos Tramountanis – National Centre for Social Research, Athens

09.30 - 10.00 – Registration

10.00 - 10.10 - Opening/Welcome/Conference Overview

Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu – Coordinator 10.10 - 10.40 – Introduction to the BRIDGE projects



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10.40 – 11.10 “Refugee researchers in Europe: BRiDGE Survey Findings”

Ms. Marina Nikolova - Hellenic Foundation For European & Foreign Policy, Athens

Mr. Angelos Tramountanis 11.10 – 11.25 - COFFEE BREAK

11.25 – 12.05 Panel: Paths, perspectives and career aspirations of researchers

in danger

Chair: Mr. Artemios Saitakis - Foundation for Research & Technology Hellas,

Heraklion


Ms. Pepa Krasteva – European Commission, Brussels

Dr. Pinelopi Vergou -University of Thessaly

Mr. Symeon Gkoudrololos – Greek Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs,

Athens

12.05-12.50 - Panel: The journey and perspectives of Refugee Researchers

Chair: Mr. Saad Yaseen

Mr. Abas Haidari -University of the Aegean

Mr. Nasruddin Nizami - Greek Council for Refugees

Dr. Ahmad Al Ajlan – Bielefeld University

12.50 -13.50 - Light Lunch


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13.50-14.45 - Career Support in the BRiDGE Projects for Researchers in Danger

How mentoring networks work for a good career plan

o Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu

What trainings are useful for researchers in danger entering the European

Research Area

o Ms. Svetlana Dimitrova – Sofia University

14.45-16.00 – Panel: How to support the career of researchers in danger

Chair: Ms. Svetlana Dimitrova

Dr. Pinelopi Vergou -University of Thessaly

Mr. Saad Yaseen

Mr. Abas Haidari

Mr. Nasruddin Nizami

Prof. Dr. Grigoris Zarotiadis - Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki

Mr. Artemios Saitakis

16.00 - 15.15- COFFEE BREAK

17.35 - 17.45 Closing of Day One


12th February 2020

09.30 – 09.35 – Welcome

Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu (UNIBI) 09.35 – 10.25 – Perspectives for the integration of RR


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Chair: Μs. Maria Eirini Mountaki - Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs,

Integration into the Labour Market Directorate

NGO’s representative - MR. Nasruddin Nizami (presentation)

University or R&D institution representative

The InSPIREurope initiative - Prof Grigoris Zarotiadis, Dean of the AUTh Faculty

of Economic and Political Sciences (presentation)

KEM (Migrant Integration Centre) representative - MS. Athina Vrakatseli -

Publicity Consultant at KEM (presentation)

PRAXI Network technology transfer unit of the Foundation for Research and

Technology – Hellas representative (presentation)

QUESTIONS

10.25 – 11.15 – Outcomes of relevant European projects

Chair: Prof. Dr Miroslav Trajanović, Department for production and IT,

University of Nis

The Science4Refugees in Aegean Archipelago (SCIREA) project – Mr. Abas

Haidari, University of Aegean

Academic Horizon - From academic to professional integration – Ms. Stefanie

Gonzalez- Chargee du suivi academique, social et professionnel Programme

Horizon academique, Universite de Geneve


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EURAXESS TOPIV Project: Task 3.4 Refugee Initiatives - Ms. Mag. Maria Unger,

OeAD (Osterreichische Austauschdienst)-Gesellschaft mit beschrankter

Haftung

QUESTIONS

11.15 – 11.30 – COFFEE BREAK

11.30-12.00 Internship Programme


12.00-12.30 FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES


12.30 – 13.20 – Light Lunch

13.20 – 14.15 Video Screening BRiDGE Handbook

Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu, Mr. Donovan Babin, Dr. Ahmad Al Ajlan, Bielefeld

University

14.15 – 15.15- World Cafe

Academic career planning

o Dr. Ahmad Al Ajlan

Non academic career planning

o Saad Yaseen

Policy advice for the integration into the labor market

o Dr. Cuneyt Gurer (Universitat Siegen)

Cultural integration

o Mr. Nasruddin Nizami

15.15 – 15.35 – Results of the World Cafe – all moderators


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15.35 – 15.50 – Wrap up: Policy recommendations for RR integration in the EU labour

market

Donovan Babin

15.50-16.00 Concluding Remarks - Ms. Eleni Andrianopulu

16:00. Conference End

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