Naples Italy September 2016 February 2018 · 2018-01-20 · Naples Italy September 2016 - February...
Transcript of Naples Italy September 2016 February 2018 · 2018-01-20 · Naples Italy September 2016 - February...
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“WAS UNS BEWEGT”
Portfolio
Rita Saggiomo
Liceo “G. Mazzini”
Naples
Italy
September 2016
-
February 2018
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Kick off Strasbourg meeting
I have chosen to take part in the project "Was Uns Bewegt" not just for living pure experience in another
country for 3 months, but also for talking about the theme of migrants, which actual situation is not the
best one. The project provided one week in Strasburg, where all participants coming from Italy, Finland,
Austria and Germany met for establishing a relationship and they chose a partner with whom Live for 6
months.
We left on 12th December, when we arrived at the hotel, we went to the room where the activities
provided would be carried out.
At the beginning, we watched "Little Alien", a movie that talks about migrants, whose plot is: some
teenagers are escaping for having a future.
The second day was funnier: we learned the concept of diversity through the "apple game" (everyone takes
an apple, we saw it and we mixed it with the other ones. Then we had to recognise ours and the reason of
choice).
We learned the essential values through "the balloon game"(there were 5 balloons, on which there were
written some values).We had to launch them to someone and this person had not to fall down it. The last
balloon, that stayed in the air, was the essential value for that person). By these games we learned to know
each other with every participant and we have realised to be in contact.
The other partners showed own school and the actual situation of migration through videos and Internet
service.
The other days we visited the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Court, in
which we assisted to some debates about the European migrants situation. We visited Strasburg, in which
there were a lot of Christmas markets, excessive decorates because in this City the art of Christmas
decoration was born. We spent an unforgettable week in which we learned a lot and especially we grew
morally.
We went to Strasburg to know more how the European system works and what it does for migrants. We
discovered three institutions that work for improving migrants’ situation:
The European Parliament
The European Parliament deals with asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in general. The objectives for
helping immigrants are:
Defining a balanced approach to immigration: the EU aims to set up a balanced approach to dealing with
regular immigration and combating irregular immigration. Proper management of migration flows entails
ensuring fair treatment of third-country nationals residing legally in Member States, enhancing measures to
combat irregular immigration and promoting closer cooperation with non-member countries in all fields. It
is the EU’s aim to establish a uniform level of rights and obligations for regular immigrants, comparable
with that for EU citizens.
Principle of solidarity: under the Lisbon Treaty, immigration policies are to be governed by the principle of
solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility, including its financial implications, among the Member States
Parliament actively supports the introduction of a European immigration policy. On the admission of third-
country nationals, it has called for the development of legal instruments, and, in particular, measures to
reduce incentives for irregular immigration.
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In its resolution on the Stockholm Programme, adopted on 25 November 2009, Parliament urged that
integration, immigration and asylum policies be built on full respect for fundamental rights. It once again
deplored refoulement and collective expulsions to countries where human rights are not respected.
Parliament has always stressed the importance of addressing the needs of the most vulnerable groups,
such as refugees and minors.
Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty, Parliament has been actively involved in the adoption of
new legislation dealing with immigration. For instance, it played a pivotal role in the drafting and adoption
of the ‘Return’ and ‘Single Permit’ Directives.
In response to the arrival of increasing numbers of migrants on the Union's Mediterranean coasts and the
growing number of shipwrecks since the end of 2013, on 17 December 2014 Parliament adopted a
resolution on the situation in the Mediterranean and the need for a holistic EU approach to migration,
which authorised its Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs to draft an own-initiative report.
Parliament adopted the draft report on 12 April 2016. The report, which deals with an increasingly topical
subject, provides the European Parliament with a general framework for its future positions in this field,
particularly for the two packages which the Commission published in 2016 on asylum and economic
migration.
The Parliament laws have reached many achievements such as:
a) Institutional developments brought about by the Lisbon Treaty.
The Lisbon Treaty, which entered into force in December 2009 (1.1.5), introduced co-decision and qualified
majority voting on regular immigration and a new legal basis for integration measures. The ordinary
legislative procedure now applies to policies on both irregular and regular immigration, making Parliament
a co-legislator on an equal footing with the Council. The provisional measures to be taken in the event of a
sudden inflow of third-country nationals are adopted by the Council alone, however, after consulting
Parliament.
The Lisbon Treaty also made it clear that the EU shares competence in this field with the Member States, in
particular as regards the number of migrants allowed to enter a Member State to seek work. Finally, the
Court of Justice now has full jurisdiction in the field of immigration and asylum.
b) Recent policy developments
The ‘Global Approach to Migration and Mobility’, adopted by the Commission in 2011 establishes a general
framework for the EU’s relations with third countries in the field of migration. It is based on four pillars:
regular immigration and mobility, irregular immigration and trafficking in human beings, international
protection and asylum policy, and maximising the impact of migration and mobility on development. The
human rights of migrants are a cross-cutting issue in the context of this approach.
The Global Approach focuses on regional and bilateral dialogue between countries of origin, transit and
destination. One of the main instruments of the Global Approach are the ‘mobility partnerships’ which can
be concluded with third countries. These partnerships incorporate not only readmission agreements, but a
whole set of measures, ranging from development aid to temporary entry visa facilitation, measures on
circular migration, and measures to combat irregular immigration.
c) Recent legislative developments
Since 2008, a number of significant directives on immigration and asylum have been adopted and some
other relevant directives are due to be revised in the near future.
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1.Regular immigration
Following the difficulties encountered in adopting a general provision covering all labour immigration into
the EU, the current approach consists of adopting sectoral legislation, by category of migrants, in order to
establish a regular immigration policy at EU level.
Directive 2009/50/EC on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes
of highly qualified employment creates the ‘EU blue card’, a fast-track procedure for issuing a special
residence and work permit, on more attractive terms, to enable third-country workers to take up highly
qualified employment in the Member States.
The Single Permit Directive (2011/98/EU) sets out a common, simplified procedure for third-country
nationals applying for a residence and work permit in a Member State, as well as a common set of rights to
be granted to regular immigrants. The first report on its implementation is due by December 2016.
Directive 2014/36/EU, adopted in February 2014, regulates the conditions of entry and residence of third-
country nationals for the purpose of employment as seasonal workers. Migrant seasonal workers are
allowed to stay legally and temporarily in the EU for a maximum period of between five and nine months
(depending on the Member State) to carry out an activity dependent on the passing of seasons, while
retaining their principal place of residence in a third country. The directive also clarifies the set of rights to
which such migrant workers are entitled.
Directive 2014/66/EU on conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals in the framework of
an intra-corporate transfer was adopted on 15 May 2014. It is to be transposed by 29 November 2016, and
will make it easier for businesses and multinational corporations to temporarily relocate their managers,
specialists and trainee employees to their branches or subsidiaries located in the European Union. The first
report on its implementation is due by the end of November 2019.
On 25 March 2013, the Commission put forward a proposal (COM(2013)0151) for a directive improving the
existing legislative instruments applicable to third-country nationals seeking entry to the EU for the
purposes of study or research (Directives 2004/114/EC and 2005/71/EC). The new directive (2016/801/EU)
was adopted on 11 May 2016 and an assessment of its implementation must be submitted by 23 May 2023
at the latest.
Lastly, the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents in the European Union is still
regulated by Council Directive 2003/109/EC, as amended in 2011 to extend its scope to refugees and other
beneficiaries of international protection.
2.Integration
Directive 2003/86/EC sets out provisions on the right to family reunification. The 2008 report on its
implementation concluded that it was not fully and correctly applied in the Member States: as a
consequence, a green paper was published in 2011, initiating a public consultation procedure. In April 2014,
the Commission published a communication providing guidance to the Member States on how to apply the
directive.
In April 2010, the Commission presented the third edition of the Handbook on Integration for policy-makers
and practitioners, and in July 2011 it adopted the European Agenda for the Integration of Third-Country
Nationals. In addition, since 2009 two instruments have been created to deal with the issue of integration:
the European Integration Forum (organised by the Commission and the European Economic and Social
Committee) and the European Website on Integration (http://ec.europa.eu/ewsi/en/). In January 2015, the
scope of the European Integration Forum was extended, transforming it into the European Migration
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Forum. Lastly, in June 2016 the Commission put forward an action plan, setting out a policy framework and
practical steps to help Member States integrate the 20 million non-EU nationals legally resident in the EU.
3.Irregular immigration
The EU has adopted two major pieces of legislation to combat irregular immigration:
The ‘Return Directive’ sets out common EU standards and procedures for returning irregularly resident
third-country nationals. Member States were called upon to transpose the directive by 24 December 2010.
The first report on its implementation was adopted in March 2014. The main areas for further action
include ensuring its proper implementation, promoting consistent, fundamental rights-compatible
practices, improving cooperation between Member States and enhancing the role of Frontex. One of the
main tasks of the teams supporting national authorities at hotspots in Italy and Greece is to ensure that
people actually return to their country of origin. On 9 September 2015, the Commission published a
European Union action plan on return, which was endorsed by the Council the following October.
Directive 2009/52/EC specifies sanctions and measures to be applied in Member States against employers
who infringe the ban on employing illegally resident third-country nationals. Member States were required
to transpose the directive by 20 July 2011. The first report on the implementation of the directive was
submitted 22 May 2014.
European Court of Human Rights
It is based in Strasbourg and it was designed by the British architect Lord Richard Rogers, in 1994.
The European Court of Human Rights is an international court set up in 1959. It rules individual or state
applications alleging violations of the civil and political established by the European Convention of Human
Rights. The Court have brought the governments to modify their legislation and their own administrative
practice in many sectors. 47 judges and around 650 people of the Job Register, they work for assuring the
respect of the human rights of 820 million Europeans in 47 States members of the Europe Council that have
ratified the Convention.
European Convention
The European Convention of the Human rights is an international treaty which the members of the Europe
Council guarantee the fondamental rights civil and political not only to own citizens but also to anyone are
found under their jurisdiction. The Convention enter into force in 1953.
Judges
The judges are elected from the parliamentary meeting of the Europe Council from lists of 3 names
proposed by every State. They are elected for 9 years.
Immigration
The Italian politics of management of the migration flows and -particularly the practice of the forced
rejection of migrant toward their Countries of origin- it has been invalidated from the sentence of the
European Court of the Human Rights on the "case Hirsi against Italy". Italy has been condemned for having
violated the fondamental rights of migrant, pick up from open sea and re-sent back to their country
without permission. Two hundred migrant are assisted by the Italian Council for the Refugees, which,
became to knowledge of the facts, introduces a report to the European Court of the Human Rights. Italy
must pay the migrant with 15000 euro each.
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The Council of Europe
The Council of Europe is the continent’s leading human rights organization. It includes 47 member states,
28 of which are members of the European Union.
All Council of Europe member states have signed up to the European Convention on human right, a treaty
designed to protect human rights, democracy and rule of law. The Council of Europe advocates freedom of
expression and of the media, freedom of assembly, equality, and the protection of minorities. It has
launched campaigns on issues such as child protection, online hate speech, and the rights of the Roma,
Europe's largest minority. The Council of Europe helps member states fight corruption and terrorism and
undertake necessary judicial reforms. Its group of constitutional experts, known as the Venice Commission,
offers legal advice to countries throughout the world.
The Council of Europe promotes human rights through international conventions, such as the Convention
on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence and the Convention on
Cybercrime. It monitors member states' progress in these areas and makes recommendations through
independent expert monitoring bodies. Council of Europe member states no longer apply the death
penalty.
The European Court of the Human Rights oversees the implementation of the Convention in the member
states.
The Court is identifiable across the world by the symbol of the building in which it is housed: the Human
Rights Building. 47 judges and about 650 Registry staff work there to ensure respect for the human rights of
820 million Europeans in the 47 member States of the Council of Europe that have ratified the Convention.
Main rights and freedoms in the Convention:
Right to go to school: to have an education;
Freedom of the press and Freedom of expression: to say and write what a person thinks;
Freedom of assembly and association: a person has a right to take part in peaceful meetings and to
set up or join associations , including trade unions;
Right to free elections: a person has the right to elect the government of own country by secret
vote;
Freedom of thought, conscience and religion: a person has the right to practice own religion at
home and in public, and a person can change own religion;
Right to marry: a person has the right to marry and to have a family;
Right to respect for private and family life: a person has the right to respect for own private and
family life, own home and correspondence;
Protection of property: a person has the right to own property and use own possessions;
Prohibition of torture: no one ever has the right to hurt or torture a person. Even in detention own
human dignity has to be respected;
Prohibition of discrimination: everybody are the same, no care about skin colour, sex, language,
political or religious beliefs, or origins;
Prohibition of slavery and forced labour: it`s prohibited to treat a person as a slave or to impose
forced labour on him/her;
Right to fair trial: a person has the right to fail trial before an unbiased and independent judge. If a
person is accused of having committed a crime, he/she is innocent until proved guilty. If a person is
poor, he/she has the right to be assisted by a lawyer who has to be paid by the state;
Right to liberty and security: a person has the right to liberty: if a person is arrested, he/she has the
right to know why, to stand trial soon, or to be released until the trial takes place.
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All the Court’s judgments and a large selection of decisions, information on communicated cases, advisory
opinions, press releases, legal summaries and Commission decisions and reports are published in the
HUDOC database.
The Council of Europe about the migrants
The Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), meeting in Sofia,
proposed today a set of measures, in order to maximise the benefits of migration between China and
Europe. It called on Member States, in particular, to sign bilateral agreements with China on social security,
education and other integration-related issues. Parliamentarians also recommended to develop co-
operation with the Chinese authorities to combat trafficking and smuggling networks. The resolution
adopted today, on the basis of a report by Thierry Mariani (France, EPP/CD), states that the influx of
Chinese migrants to Europe should be viewed "in terms of potential for economic growth," and calls on
Member States to facilitate their access to the nationality of the host country. […]”
“We must unite to defend democracy," says the PACE President, Anne Brasseur, "To do so, we must
overcome political divisions to focus on the root causes of extremism and radicalisation. We must
denounce hatred, discrimination and intolerance, and reaffirm the values of "living together"." Anne
Brasseur called on national parliaments to ratify the Additional Protocol to the Council of Europe
Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism, a "powerful instrument in our common response to all would-
be terrorists," and invited parliamentarians to get involved in the Council of Europe "No hate campaign."
Migrants, asylum seekers and refugees constitute a significant and growing proportion of the general
population of countries in Europe. Globally, more than 60 million people - refugees and internally displaced
persons (IDPs) - are forcibly displaced by conflict, violence, disasters and human rights violations. This is the
highest level of forced displacement since World War II.
These groups are more vulnerable in case of a disaster given their limited access to information. They may
not master the language of the State where they are displaced, not be aware of risks familiar to locals. They
may also experience increased vulnerability if their living conditions are below average (refugee camps,
marginal settings in dangerous areas) or if, as a consequence of their situation, they have poor health,
relatively low education, etc.
The Council of Europe, through its EUR-OPA Major Hazards Agreement, is promoting improvements in
emergency planning, disaster response and risk mitigation for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. EUR-
OPA works in particular to:
• recommend strategies to reduce migrants’ vulnerability and exposure to risks;
• improve co-ordination between civil protection and other agencies supporting migrants, asylum
seekers and refugees;
• exchange good practices to better engage young people in civil society and in all phases of the
disaster risk management cycle, as well as actions for engaging with migrants and using their
skills and capacities for disaster risk reduction.
These activities contribute to the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
2015-2030.
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My Diary
I’m glad to be one of the students of “Liceo Giuseppe Mazzini” (Naples, Italy) involved in this project with
the other students who are Federica, Chiara and Cristina. We faced with the Italian migrant situation
starting from the causes that force migrants to leave their country. Our teachers have sent us some part of
materials on net and we have added other researches, we’ve been divided into groups and everyone has
had a role. I took part to this project together with my schoolmates for Alternating Training that has a topic
“immigration problems” too. We worked on it for 2 months and we joined a social cooperative that is called
Dedalus. Dedalus is a not profit making organization born in 1981 and now is a social cooperative. It
currently promotes and supports path to citizenship acceptance and career guidance in particular for
victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors, women in distress, trans-sexual. Some young migrants
became operators of the cooperative as cultural or linguistic mediators such as Yzma who has dealt the two
meetings with us. Two classes of our section have met this cooperative in their own premises. Dedalus has
informed us to promote sheltering and caring activities for unaccompanied minors. Lately they’ve told us
their moving stories that made us aware of being very lucky. this cooperative has as main aim to promote
their own education, access to the social and health services and job integration. Their methodology is
based on building of an ‘’individual integration programme’’, in collaboration with each minor focuses on
their needs and according to their projects for the future all the migrants usually unload in the Italian island
of Lampedusa, that is an island situated in the south of Italy. Here they receive help and welcome. We
heard about a guy who had to escape from Gambia to get a better life, his name is Soulayman Lowe he has
never known his father and his mother. His brother was his last family member, he was a soldier and paid
for his education and all he needs, but when his brother was killed he had to run away across many African
countries until he arrived to his final destination where he was welcomed, Naples. on 6 of December we
had a meeting with another school, “Villari”, that had the same experience, and we’ve discussed and
exchanged opinions. We also had a meeting with the regional school office that in Campania coordinates
the selection of various schools which take part to Europe and Lampedusa.
Finally we were to the Nanà international centre where hospitality is given to the minors and we saw again
the same minors met at Dedalus.
Training day in Florence organised by INDIRE (the national agency) After Strasburg, on the 20th and 21st December 2016, I went to Florence with Mrs. Di Taranto. There was a
meeting organized by the Erasmus Plus National Agency of INDIRE at the "Leonardo da Vinci" National
Institute for the students and contact teachers of the schools involved in a Strategic partnership with long-
term mobility activities of pupils. Protagonists of the seminar, the 28 students of 8 high schools and
secondary schools that in 2016 have lived an Erasmus experience in another European country for a period
of about three months, studying in a partner school of their own institute (Spain, France , Germany,
Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Lithuania and Belgium), thanks to the ongoing strategic partnership projects in
their sending schools. Together with these guys, I was confronted with other departing Erasmus + young
people, who, with a sort of witness passage, put their stories at the center, but also the design experiences
of the Institutes that chose to put themselves in play by inserting the long-term mobility between the
activities of the Strategic Partnership funded under Key Action 2 of the Program. The training seminar was
an important opportunity to have a direct feedback on the experiences already carried out, to highlight the
problems and the positive aspects of this activity, mainly through working groups, during which there was
also the active participation of psychotherapists in support of the students to help them reflect on the
possible situations of difficulty, the training contract, the evaluation after the return and on how best to
live this experience.
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My long mobility in Berlin
My stay started in Berlin on 8th of September and finished on 6th December.
Berlin was beautiful!
The houses were very different: they were not so high, like in Naples, but just for three floors. Indeed, near
the Berlin's outside, there were a lot of mountain's houses: they had big gardens with flowers, little lakes
with fishes inside and they had brown roofs in a triangle way for the snow.
The transports were clean and always in time. They arrived everywhere, so if someone hadn't the car was
not a problem because everything was connected and there were maps everywhere. You couldn't lose
through the streets!
Berlin was very big: when I saw a map for the first time, I didn't want to believe that just one city had nine
underground lines or a lot of bus, tram and trains. There was a tram called "the Ring" because it turned
around the centre of Berlin...so this brought the people to understand how Berlin wa big if hd a tram just
for the centre!
At that moment, I was learning the most important station that I musted know for when I would go alone
for Berlin, so for example I knew my first house's station name: Pastor Niemöller Platz. I saw the river that
flows through Berlin: "die Spree". There was a beautiful park where someone could stay on the grass or sat
on the bench and saw the river. The park was all natural: tree, grass, flowers everywhere.
The silence was the first thing that I've noticed: there's not car that played sounds, or someone that spoke
with loud voice. It was very different than in Naples.
The school was amazing; there was another system: so the students changed room every lesson, because
every subject had her room, like the art room: was beautiful, with a lot of draws, colour pencil and every
kind of thing that you needed for draw.
Every lesson took 80 minutes and this time was called "Blockunterricht". The school had three buildings:
"Haus 1" and "Haus 2" was for guys of my age; the "Haus Frosch" was green and for young guys. In the
"Haus 1" there was the canteen where everyone could buy a warm food, and there was a machine with
which you could make full of water your battle. There was a supermarket near the school, if someone
didn't like the food of the canteen.
About the lessons, it was so strange to follow the language ones, because the teacher explained the words
and translate in their language, and for me were both foreign languages.
The food was different in a good way: the German people eat pasta without vegetables, while in Italy we
do; they ate it with meat: in Italy, if there's not the tomato sauce, we don't eat. They cook the salad with
apple too: it's tasty!!
By the way, I just discovered how my area is called: Pankow. I visited it a little bit and is so simple, without
strange things or something similar.
Berlin is for all cultures: there are many foreigners, and they live all in an area of Pankow that is called:
Gesundbrunnen. In this area everything is cheap, so for everyone not so rich that can't buy in normal
supermarkets.
The German here is more different than one that I study in my school: the German people spoke so fast and
I understood some words, but not enough for understand the whole conversation. I tried to learn the
words easier at the beginning, for example the word of the house: the kitchen, the bathroom, the towel,
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ecc. I asked for a milk-coffee once! So I learned slowly, and I hoped that three months were enough for
understand my German teacher.
There was so much to learn and to know, so many foods to try (and I tried all). I wanted to discover all
Berlin, because is another world.
On 8th October was my first month in Berlin.
So, I visited a lot of monument: the Brandeburger Tor, the Jews' mausoleum (thanks to my teacher for),
Tiergarten with the Statue of the Bismarck, the Charlotten Schloss (that is beautiful).
I went to the first concert of my life: in Brandeburger Tor, on 2nd October, there was the Coca Cola Festival,
so famous German singers sing like in a real concert, but this was free. Around the Brandeburger Tor, there
were many street markets that sell brezel, beer, candy and games. There was a Ferris wheel too. The only
bad thing was the rain: it was raining all the time, and it was a period where it poured down.
In Alexanderplatz there was the Oktoberfest: it was just an imitation and not so big like the real one, but big
enough for make full half of the square (and is enormous). I didn't try the beer, but I saw a lot of beer kiosks
with people dressed like a Dutch woman (with braids).
I met my „tutor“, Herr. Wegener: is so nice with me and always worried about my situation. He always
asked me if there is something wrong and how he could help me.
And, thanks to him, finally I had my timetable: I had a lot of own study, because the major part of the
lessons I didn't understand (it's too hard for me). So I attended just the language lessons: English, French
and German. The German that they studied here is like the Italian for us: they red the test and answered to
the question about, and they tried to understand the secret meaning of the text with the teacher; the same
thing that we call: Antologia. It was a very difficult level of German, but I needed for perfect (or learn) mine.
But, speaking of this, I began the German curse!! It was so funny; I understood not every time, but I was not
the only one. There were many foreign people: Turks, Arabians, an Italian like me, Vietnamese, Finish and
Afghans. And every one of us spoke in German, or we tried to. The lessons were very lights: they took three
hours, but I didn't pay attention for. To every break, we shared the food: there was who brought the chips,
who brought the food from own country and people like me that brought chocolate. Thanks to this course,
I was understanding the U-Bahn: so I knew the stations and the difference between lines. I loved to live
there: first of all, I love that Berlin never finished: there were always new things to see and new museum to
visit.
About the host family, it was a particular experience: I changed family after one month and half. The reason
was: Lisa, the person that hosted me, became sick and I risked to be infected. The teachers were worried
about it because Lisa and me hadn't a good friendship and with the disease would have been practically
impossible make it better. So Frau Bohn brought me to know the new family. When we arrived at the new
home, I was surprised: it was a very big house, with two floors, a big garden and a cellar (like in the horror
movie, dark with a lot of stairs).
I was surprised because the house of before was really little, formed only by one toilet, a little kitchen, one
bedroom (so Lisa and me shared it), the mother's bedroom and a living room.
In this house there were three toilets (two upstairs) (one is for Anita, one for her father and one for her
sister), two living room (one upstairs), a kitchen, an office, the music room (my favourite: you can lay on the
soft rug and listen classic music for relaxing).
I had my personal bedroom and I shared the bathroom/toilet with Anita.
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Anita is the girl that hosted me: she was so crazy; nothing for her is impossible. We loved to watch the
movie together (obviously in German with German or English subtitles). She loved baking, in fact a day she
baked a delicious “Donauwelle” (a cake).
She lives with her father, Mathias: he was so cute, very careful for everything and considerate. He was
interested about my life, my country's traditions and my day's projects (completely opposite than other
family).
The Anita's parents are separated and the daughters lived from their parents: Anita with her father and the
sister with her mother.
The Anita's sister sometimes come to sleep here, so she had her bedroom and her toilet.
I discovered my favourite place in Berlin: Lustgarten.
It's a very big Square where there's a garden with near a church and der Altes Museum. I loved everything
about the Greece (first of all, the mythology), and the Altes Museum is looks like a temple. It's an art
museum.
The cathedral was something amazing: it was the “Berliner Dom”. It's Baroque style, built in XVIII century.
From this place, you could see the Spree, the Berlin's river, and near there was a fountain of the God of the
Sea: Poseidon (Greek mythology again).
I visited the Berlin Zoo!!
Oh my God, I saw the Pandas FOR THE FIRST TIME!! They were so fluffy, fat and cute: I wanted to bring
them at home.
That zoo was something beautiful: it was very big (you need 4/5 hours for see just the zoo), and there was
every kind of animals: from the polar bear to the camel. I saw the polar wolf (so beautiful and powerful),
the brown bear (so cute), the reindeer (before I thought they were elks, but after I translated the name).
The best of all (after pandas, of course) is the elephants: I discovered that there are two kind of elephant
(Chinese one and African one: you see the difference from the ears, because the Chinese one has smaller
than the African), and I saw the Chinese male one, so he had long tusks. I think that he had a girlfriend,
because he petted a female with his trunk.
After Exchanging
After my incredible long mobility experience in Berlin, I can say that I grew morally, because I saw different
thinking ways, I tested myself living an independent life. I’m more aware about immigration situation after
taking part to migrants’ meetings both in Italy and in Germany. In Italy I gave my voluntary contribution to
immigrants’ first aids in the harbour of Naples. With Civil Protection, I helped minors not accompanied,
women and men after landing in Naples (giving them food, drinks, clothes and blankets).
In Berlin Vincent and I bake together with Refugees delicious cookies, cakes and pastries for children and
homeless people. The inspired is by the sugar celebration at the end of Lent of Ramadan. This year, we
want to make joint baking campaigns in the run-up to Christmas. Of course fun is in the foreground and
trying the result is a must. We regularly try new recipes and the resulting Pastries will be offered and issued
for donations. The Association Against Child Poverty we have a kitchen that we can use as a pastry shop.
The project always takes place three times a week. I enjoied so much with the family: they had kids (I love
so much children, in fact I stayed everytime with them). I speak a little bit italian with the father becuase he
said me he knew italian words; it was so funny. The mum didn't speak english, just a little bit of german, so I
tried to speak with her, but we needed a translator anyway. The thing that surprised me so much was the
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kid: he did english at school and he went in an english school for one year. He spoke english better than
me!! We cooked orange cookies with vegan ingredients (so adapt for everyone) and we decorated it with
sugar miniballs, color food gel and sugar paste (I've a future like pastry chef: I discovered I know how to
decorate a perfect snowman cookie). For the rest, it was the most beautiful experience ever, because to
know that you were helping people without money for food and to know that the kids forget for a moment
the poverty and thinking to play like normal kids is amazing. I felt so many emotions in the meantime.
When it came the moment of goodbye, the children hugged me so much that I was going to cry.
When I was in Berlin, I was informed about migrants’ situations in the meantime. I found these “news”
1) http://uk.businessinsider.com/germany-integrate-immigrants-better-2017-8?r=US&IR=T
From the website Business Insider UK, I was informed about the migrants’ situation in Germany. It’s a
report dealing with Germany which hopes to integrate over 1 million migrants better than it did with
Turkish immigrants in the 60s.
2) http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-41147362
Oberhausen’s situation.
Kick off Luxemburg meeting
On 8th January, we went to Luxemburg. We met again the Strasburg’s people. The first day we shared our
foreign experiences by Power Point presentation, with photos and laughs. After we went to complete our
portfolio, that had to be ready for that Saturday, so it was so soon! We worked all together with our
computers, helped by our teachers that explained to us how the portfolio was structured and how we had
to build it up. On Wednesday, we visited the Court of Justice of the European Union: it was really
interesting. After we returned in our hotel and we worked again to the portfolio, but writing about the
Court too. The following day, we took the bus to go to the Bank Museum: it was about money and photos.
We saw the Ville Cesare Clivio, a big house. On the return for the hotel, we passed through a big bridge
where we saw the whole panorama. On Friday we did a circular walk World War II “Spurensuche”. In the
afternoon, we went to “Caritas”, a NGO. We met an asylum seekers and refugees Educator, who explained
us how the agency works. This organisation helps migrants giving them possibilities to integrate finding
cheap houses and offering them the opportunity to take part to the city’s social activities. The agency helps
them to have an economic contribution given by the local government, because of the local
accomodation’s high prices, they are forced to search in boarding countries (Belgium, Germany, France).
The following day, we did a tour through time and space, connecting the Upper and Lower towns: “Bock”
promontory, Old Town, Wenceslas ring wall, Alzette valley with its unique fortifications. The Council of
Europe has rated this walking tour as an “outstanding” cultural itinerary. A time travel with breathtaking
panoramic views over the Luxembourg fortress. The “Wenzel Walk” guides the visitor through the
millennial history of the city of Luxembourg. Its name pays tribute to Wenceslas II, Duke of Luxembourg
between 1383 and 1419 during whose rule a part of the third ring, the so-called Wenzel wall, was erected.
A lot of additional background facts will be provided about it during the walk. The cultural and historical
“Wenzel Walk” guides us through the oldest quarters of the city of Luxembourg, as we pass a great many
historically outstanding and architecturally compelling edifices. In 1994, the historical core of the old town
– as well as some of the fortress works which are still in good condition – was declared World Heritage by
UNESCO. One of the singularities of Luxembourg is the way in which such small space reveals such a blend
of contrasting styles of architecture: this mixture steadily developed in the last five centuries under the
influence of the forever alternating foreign dominations. On the ground, the Wenzel circuit is signposted. A
large array of information boards posted along the way supply further details about the most important
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sights and the history of the city of Luxembourg. The nature trail coupled with the “Wenzel Walk” focuses
mainly on the topics of geology and nature in specific relation to the topology of the former fortified city.
Court Of Justice Of The European Union
The mission of the European court of Justice is ensuring that the European law is observed. The role is
ensuring EU law is interpreted and applied the same in every EU country; ensuring countries and EU
institutions abide by EU law.
It’s composed by Court of Justice, 28 judges (1 per Member State), 11 Advocates General (5+6); every 6
years, there’s the renovation. It’s also formed by the General Court, 47 judges (2 per Member State as from
2019); each 6 years, it’s renewed.
The actions which the Court can hear are preliminary rulings, direct actions and appeals.
The chamber is composed by: 5 judges, AG (Advocate General, gives opinion helping the judges for take
decisions), R (registrator), référendaire, usher, parties, commission, Member State.
We assisted to a debate, where two Spanish lawyers proposed to the Court if the loan of the companies
made to the bank, after the deadline, had to pay just 2 points more, but the bank asked more, so the
lawyers requited if it was abusive.
To be present in a tribunal’s process was new and so useful: a person can see how it works, how the people
want to do justice and how they ask it; to stand up when the judge come into the room, like in the movies.
Bank Museum
The “Musée de la Banque” was opened in 1995 and fully renovated in 2015; it’s located in the former teller
hall of Banque et Caisse d’Epargne de l’Etat (BCEE)’s head office and covers an area of 650 m2 . The
museum includes money, savings, secure vault, trading room, electronic banking, history, architecture,
library. In is made up of more buildings and also of an underground Art Gallery. The Art Gallery “Am
Tunnel” of the BCEE Luxembourg provides a unique setting for the bank’s collection of contemporary art,
which includes works by some 100 artists living in the Grand Duchy. A permanent collection of photographs
from Edward Steichen, as well as regular itinerant exhibitions of well-known artists enhance the cultural
variety of Luxembourg’s most unusual art gallery, located 50 feet under the ground.
WORLD WAR II “SPURENSUCHE”
On the 10th of May 1940, the German armed forces swept into Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.
Grand Duchess Charlotte, her husband and their children went into exile along with government ministers.
After travel- ling through France, Portugal and the USA, they eventually arrived in Canada and Great Britain;
the government in exile establishing itself in Montreal and in London. One minister, however, was unable
to evacuate in time. The decision to leave Luxembourg ensured that the Head of State could not be brought
under the control of the occupying forces and that Luxembourg could remain an independent political
entity aligned with the allied powers in the fight against Hitler. The country remained under German
military administration until the 31st of July 1940.
“Hôtel de Ville” (Town Hall) | Located on the Knuedler, the Town Hall is the former seat of the German-
appointed Mayor. After the liberation of Luxembourg in September 1944, the Town Hall served as the
meeting place of the “Union vun de Letzebuerger Freihétsorganisationen” (Union of Luxembourgish
Freedom Organisations). The “Union” was formed on the 23rd of March 1944 through the merger of three
large Luxembourgish resistance groups: the LPL (“Lëtzebuerger Patriote-Liga” or Luxembourgish Patriot
League); the LVL (“Lëtzebuerger Volleks Legion” or Luxembourgish People‘s Legion) and the LRL
(“Lëtzebuerger Rode Lew” or Luxembourgish Red Lion). In the great hall on the first floor, on the 10th of
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September 1952, the Federal Republic of Germany and the new state of Israel signed the first international
agreement on reparations for victims of the Nazi regime (known in German as the
“Wiedergutmachungsabkommen”).
Place d’Armes: On the 6th of August 1940, this square was the setting for the first public appearance of
Gauleiter Gustav Simon, the German head of the new civil administration. He was accompanied by 800
members of the German “Schutzpolizei” (municipal police). On the same day, the new administration
issued a language
“Reichsarbeitsdienst” decree: “Luxembourg gibberish” was to be stamped out and the country “re-
Germanised”. French place names, street names, company names, signs and even family names and given
names were translated into German. Use of the familiar “merci”, “bonjour” and “pardon” was forbidden
and even wearing a beret was prohibited by law.
Four years later, on the 10th of September 1944, the city‘s inhabitants joyfully welcomed the U.S. 5th
Armored Division here as it liberated Luxembourg. Prince Félix, the husband of Grand Duchess Charlotte,
was also present and was joined shortly afterwards by Crown Prince Jean. On the left of the Cercle
Municipal building‘s main facade, a plaque commemorates the city‘s liberation. On the first floor of the
building, to the right, a round bronze plaque in honour of the two princes bears their contemporary
likenesses.
Palace of the Grand dukes | During the Occupation, the Palace was seized and ownership of it was
transferred to the City of Luxembourg. It was misused by the National Socialist regime as a concert venue,
inn and military social centre; it was even planned that it should house an
While in exile, Grand Duchess Charlotte bene ted from the full support of U.S. President F. D. Roosevelt,
who told the sovereign: “You have to put Luxembourg on the map”. She was to pursue this objective with
vigour in the months that followed.
Place clairefontaine | In the centre of Place Clairefontaine stands the statue of Grand Duchess Charlotte
(1896-1985), who ruled from 1919 to 1964 and who became a symbol of Luxembourg‘s independence
during the war. In August 1940, Luxembourgers displayed their unwillingness to cooperate with the
Germans through a protest action that became known as the “Spéngelskrich” (War of the Badges): they
ostentatiously wore badges, pinned to their coats or jackets, which bore nationalistic emblems such as the
Red Lion (symbolising the hundredth anniversary in 1939 of Luxembourg‘s independence) or the head of
Grand Duchess Charlotte, cut from a coin. Throughout the Occupation, the Grand Duchess addressed her
subjugated people a total of 14 times from abroad over the forbidden “enemy broadcaster”, the BBC. With
an initial airtime of just 2 minutes, the BBC was able to broad- cast a Luxembourg bulletin daily from
October 1943 onwards. On the 14th of April 1945, Charlotte returned home to a rapturous welcome from
her people.
Place claire fontaine and the sculpture of Grand duchess charlotte
Proceeding along Rue Notre-Dame, we reach the main doorway of the Cathedral.
Cathedral to the Blessed Virgin | Inside the church, to the left of the main entrance, is a memorial plaque
that bears wit- ness to the suffering of the Luxembourgish people during the Second World War. It is an
indication of how great a source of moral strength “Maria Consolatrix Afflictorum” (Mary Comforter of the
Afflicted) was to many Luxembourgers both at home and abroad during this terrible time. A further
indication is the consistently high popularity, throughout the occupation years, of the “Octave” pilgrimage
in her honour. The occupying forces restricted the traditional Marian pilgrimage to the inside of the
cathedral; in 1943, all pilgrim- ages were prohibited. Despite these restrictions, Luxembourgers were
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determined to maintain their traditions. Even after liberation in September 1944, the cathedral came under
fire from German V3 “Vergeltungswaffe” (vengeance weapon) long-range artiller.
What Luxembourg’s Airport does for migrants
Falling temperatures pose a serious threat to the homeless who risk freezing to death during winter. The
Ministry of Family Affairs, Integration and at the Greater Region organises Wanteraktioun from 1 December
2017 to 31 March 2018 with the assistance of the Red Cross, Caritas and Inter-Actions, as well as over 100
volunteers. Luxembourg Airport gives Caritas access to operate a night shelter in Findel with 180 beds.
Open from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m., it provides visitors with a place to sleep, an evening meal, breakfast as well as
showering facilities. The Red Cross runs a day shelter in the capital that offers lunch, leisure activities and
bi-weekly medical care, while Inter-Actions links people to appropriate support services where needed. For
many, Wanteraktioun is a means to surviving winter: last year a daily average of 105-120 people were
welcomed at the night shelter and 180-200 at the day shelter.
PHOTOS
STRASBURG
Departure: (from left) we’re Cristina (who went in Finland), Giulia (who worked in Naples), me, Federica
(who went in Finland too) and Chiara (who went in Austria).
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FLORENCE
We’re me, my french teacher Di Taranto (that is responsible of Was Uns Bewegt project) and Giulia.
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Berlin
Brandeburger Tor
Alexanderplatz
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Brezel Time! Berlin Zoo
Anita and me
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Checkpoint Charlie
German course
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Lustgarten
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Postdamer Platz
Mall of Berlin
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School
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Spreepark
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Oktoberfest
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Baking with Vincent
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Migrants in Italy
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Luxembourg
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Court of Justice of the European Union
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Bank Museum
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World War II Spurensuche
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