The training program is the brainchild of two female university students, Anna Kompatscher and Valentjna Juric. who are two law students that will soon be getting their degrees. ''The idea came to us two years ago, when we were both taking part in the Erasmus program and we found that there was a different approach to law in other countries,'' ANSA was told by Juric. ''We found out that there are law clinics in both Germany and France,'' and that across Europe. ''There are extensive networks, coordinated at the national level and different universities.'' Seeing this, ''we thought that it would be an interesting idea to do it in Italy as well,'' she added. The aim is to both ''give students the chance to do something practical and to contribute positively to society,'' Juric continued.
Training and practice that helps others at the same time
Kompatscher is from Bolzano and Juric is from Gradisca di Isonzo, both Italian cities where migration is a very sensitive issue. ''At the beginning we thought more about a student initiative, but later we decided to involve our teachers and the ICS'', the Consorzio Italiano di Solidarietà of Trieste, which offers assistance to asylum seekers and refugees and ''that helped up a great deal'', Kompatscher said.
After learning more about the Refugee Law Clinics run by the Roma Tre University in the capital and one run by the University of Turin, the students draw up a project for the University of Trieste for those studying for degrees in law or translation and interpretation. The initiative includes a course from late October to December ''in which seven students will take part. There will be lessons on theory with university professors and external experts specialized in immigration law. Two months later, the students will undergo an apprenticeship with lawyers by taking part in a law clinic where they will offer assistance to asylum seekers in the ICS offices'' for four months, she said. This type of initiative can help ''raise awareness among students on the issue. It is legal assistance and has no political connotations,'' Kompatscher said. Universities ''give students technical skills and it is nice to be able to put them to use to help those who need it,'' Juric added. ''The students also get training through the project and thus it is mutually beneficial,'' she ended.
