On 12 April 2018, the student teams College of Europe Runs for Charity Group and Migration and Asylum Awareness Group organised a Refugee Day at the College of Europe, Bruges campus.
The first event of the day was a panel discussion "Where are we heading?" with very diverse guests speakers:
- MEP Miltiadis KYRKOS (S&D), very engaged on refugee rights overall and more specifically on protection of children migrants;
- Mr Mehdi KASSOU and Mrs Adriana DOS SANTOS, co-Presidents of the "Citizens' Platform for Refugee Support – Brussels";
- Mr Schams EL GHONEIMI, founder of the musical band "Syrians Got Talent" and co-founder of the Refugees Are Not Alone (RANA) ASBL.
Mr EL GHONEIMI has been very active in helping refugees and migrants for years. With the musical band "Syrians Got Talent", he already played 17 successful concerts in Belgium. During these concerts, musicians take the opportunity to discuss migration issues with the audience in order to raise awareness about refugees and migrants.
After the panel discussion, we had the chance to share our lunch at the College restaurant with our panelists and with 6 young refugees who came to Bruges for the day. We all enjoyed the Georgian and Azeri food prepared within the framework of the Georgia – Azerbaijan National Week at the College!
Following a short coffee time at the Verversdijk foyer, an indoor football game with mixed teams was organized. Once again, sport proved to be a fantastic way to unite us, students of the College of Europe and refugees, and to share an unforgettable common experience. Thanks again to all the volunteers who made this day and especially this sport event possible!
Over the last two years, the daily actions of the "Citizens' Platform for Refugee Support – Brussels" have been acclaimed by Belgian media as well as international ones. Together, they organise this transpartisan grassroots initiative helping refugees and migrants at the Parc Maximilien, near Gare du Nord in Brussels. Their most urgent mission each day: Help everyone find a shelter where they can spend the night, thanks to the generosity of more than 40 000 volunteers coming from all over Belgium.
The olive tree
In the scope of Refugee Day, this olive tree has been planted by the students of the College Run for Charity and Migration and Asylum Awareness student team. This represents a symbolic effort for future generations of College promotions to further contribute to the refugee crisis at an individual and collective level for a better future for Europe.
You can still contribute to the fundraising of this year to support the Citizen Initiative to Support Refugees in Brussels!
Contact us: CHOPIN Stéphane, AUDERA Maria
