Meeting with Dr. Eva Tzavala (National Commission for Human Rights)- 26 March 2024
On 26 March 2024 we had a Zoom meeting with the Legal Advisor of the (Greek) National Commission for Human Rights Ms. Eva Tzavala. In her capacity as Chair of the Working Group on Asylum and Migration of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions/ENNHRI Ms Tzavala provided us with invaluable insights on the position of third country nationals in Greek society and in the marketplace. Also, due to the previous engagement of the National Commission for Human Rights with inclusion initiatives for many vulnerable social groups, Ms. Tzavala gave a comprehensive overview of the situation on the field. In our discussion we expressed our concerns with the collection of relevant data and Ms. Tzavala pointed out certain institutions that could be of significant assistance in this respect. We presented the preliminary findings of our research and we engaged in conversation about the possible collaboration with the National Commission for Human Rights especially regarding the organization of a joint conference/workshop. Finally, the discussion pivoted around the impact of the policy proposals IEL4Inclusion wishes to formulate and the possibility of committing State authorities to engage with them.
Meeting with Mr. Vassilis Kerasiotis (Lawyer)- 5 April 2024
On 5 April 2024 we had a Zoom meeting with Mr. Vassilis Kerasiotis, a lawyer with considerable experience in migration law and the protection of fundamental human rights. Mr. Kerasiotis was actively involved in the drafting and the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on migration and mobility signed in February 2022 between the Greek Government and the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The MoU ratified by Law 4959/2022 in July 2022 has been a game-changer in fostering the inclusion potential of Bangladeshi nationals in Greek society. Since it is an instrument originating in international law it is of direct relevance for the purposes of the research and exemplifies the potential this field of law provides for the promotion of inclusion in Greek society. Mr. Kerasiotis explained how the implementation of this document has been slowed by Greek bureaucracy and pointed to the changes that should be made to render its implementation more effective. Also, we discussed on the advantages and drawbacks of rendering such MoUs the vehicle for the promotion of social inclusion of different third country nationals instead of an all-encompassing social policy instrument.
Meeting with Dr. Markos Karavias, Director of the Mediterranean Migration and Asylum Policy Hub (MedMA) of the European Public Law Organization- 29 April 2024
On 29 April 2024 we had a Zoom meeting with the Director of MedMA Dr. Markos Karavias. Given his expertise in legal and policy issues pertaining to the legal status of migrants and refugees, as well as in the implementation of relevant domestic and European policies, Dr. Karavias provided us with the necessary insights to approach the relevant empirical data. He outlined the domestic and regional initiatives that aim to capture the conditions under which these vulnerable social groups live in Greece. He also exposed us to the multilevel -national, European and international- initiatives devoted to the legal protection of migrants and refugees. In addition, we discussed the possibility that the aforementioned social groups could benefit from the implementation of certain tools deriving from International Economic Law (IEL). In this framework, Mr. Karavias expressed some doubts concerning the positive relation between International Investment Law and its impact concerning the inclusion of migrants and refugees. Finally, given that the ultimate aim of our research project is the formulation of policy proposals based on IEL tools, Mr. Karavias emphasized the significance of the way that we should shape these proposals, as to maximize their impact, and more specifically, the necessity of a comprehensive correlation between the national, European and international level.
Meeting with Dr. Maria-Louiza Deftou, Research Fellow at the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights- 24 May 2024
On 24 May 2024, we had a Zoom meeting with the Research Fellow at the Marangopoulos Foundation for Human Rights, Dr. Maria-Louiza Deftou. Dr. Deftou has worked with the International Organization for Migration in Greece and hence has extensive experience in the implementation of inclusive policies that target third country nationals in Greece. She provided an overview and an evaluation of respective initiatives. Dr. Deftou turned the attention of the research team to the work that is currently undertaken by international organizations in Greece and in particular the Helios project on access to work, healthcare and education of third-country nationals. She stressed the need for coordination and synergies between the different levels of regulation both at the drafting and the implementation of social policies. As to the gathering of relevant data, Dr. Deftou suggested the Hellenic Statistical Authority and the Statistical Office of the European Union (Eurostat) as potential sources. We agreed that we shall keep an open channel of communication for the remaining of the project.
Closed Workshop with the Small Entreprises Institute of the Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen and Merchants- 25 November 2024
In co-operation with the Small Enterprises Institute of GSEVEE, we held on 25 November 2024 a workshop in their lecture hall on “Social Inclusion and Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises”. With Ass. Prof. Dimitris Giakoulas, Dr. Dimitris Bimpas,, Dr. Eleni Greenwood & Ms. Ioanna Profuri, we discussed the relationship between SMEs and vulnerable social groups in Greece today. We had an open dialogue on incentivising female entrepreneurship, the potential of SMEs to reshape Greek economic policy and their role as a vehicle of integration of third country nationals. We also exchanged views on the possible utilization of tools deriving from International Economic Law in order to enhance social policy effectiveness.
Meeting with NGO ‘DIANEOSIS’- 18 December 2024
We had a very productive meeting with DIANEOSIS in their conference hall. With Dr. Fay Makantasi, & Mr. Ilias Nikolaidis we discussed different ways of possible collaboration. We presented our research on the promotion of inclusiveness of different vulnerable groups via reshaping Greek economic and social policy. Then, we heard their suggestions on enhancement of the impact and dissemination of research outputs. We jointly agreed to keep an open channel of communication until the end of the programme (and perhaps beyond that!).
