This picture shows Greek and refugee school children who came together in Salonica in northern Greece to celebrate solidarity in a special event organized by regional education authorities.
Thousands of local students teamed up with hundreds of migrant students who attend schools in the area at the Kaftantzoglio Stadium on Tuesday this week for a day of fun and games aimed at celebrating solidarity. The event titled 'We play together' was organized by the Regional Directorate of Education of Central Macedonia and the Office for the Coordination of Refugee Education in collaboration with regional coordinators of migrant centers.
"Our aim was for all the children to enjoy doing fun activities together, to co-exist and to interact," said Ria Felekedou, a member of the Refugee Education Coordination Office. The event included a student-parade, sports activities, as well as dance, music, painting and games.
Migrant integration programs
Co-sponsored by UNHCR, UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration, the event is another example of how migrant integration programs are having a positive impact in northern Greece. The inclusion of refugees in the Greek education system was launched last September and had initially sparked negative reactions from parents in various parts of the country with demonstrations being held. Negative reactions have noticeably subsided in recent months on a nationwide level.
"In total, there are approximately 600 refugees attending classes, but that number is not always stable as some of them are moving around constantly; in any case, for the start of the new school year in September 2017, we are making an extra effort to be ready [to integrate more migrant children into the education system], within the framework we have," added Felekidou.