C4i News

The Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Patras in collaboration with the Vice Μunicipality of "Support of  Citizens, Volunteerism, Gender Equality & Inclusion of Migrants" and Patras Municipal Enterprise for Planning & Development – ADEP SA., organized the Launching Event for C4I project (Thursday 12th June 2014, 18.30) at the premises of the building for the sessions of Patras Municipal Council (old port).

The Launching Event was combined with the visit of representatives of the Council of Europe in Patras, specifically Mrs Gemma Pinyol and Mr Daniel de Torres, who presented the project and clarified questions. Patras study-visit by the representatives of CoE was combined with meetings with the President of the Cultural Organization Mr Nikolaos Kostopoulos, the Police Director of Achaia  Mr. Tsourdas and the Hellenic Police responsible for immigration matters Mr Michalopoulos.

Within this framework on Friday 13th June, they met at the Municipality Hall with Vice-Mayors of “Education, Transparency & Electronic Governance” MrAndreas Filias, “Economic Affairs” Mr Panagiotis Vafeas, “Administration and Communication” Mr Charalambos Stanitsas, “Health, Welfare & Social Policy” Mr Theocharis Massaras, “Support to Citizens, Volunteerism, Gender Equality & Inclusion of Migrants” Maria Andrikopoulou – Rouvali and Patras Municipal Enterprise for Planning & Development – ADEP SA.

The Launching Event was attended by representatives of local authorities, police, NGOs, representatives of civil society and voluntary organizations, as well as employees of the Municipality of Patras (its organisations, enterprises and services-units). More specifically, C4i project was presented, its objectives were analyzed, putting emphasis in the methodology used in the city of Barcelona, to combat unfounded (but widespread) rumors about immigrants. Various questions were raised, views were exchanged in relation to the project and different ideas were discussed within the various working groups.

Beasides ths speeches by the two representatives of the Council of Europe, the President of the Cultural Organization Mr N. Kostopoulos, the respective Vice Mayor of "Support of  Citizens, Volunteerism, Gender Equality & Inclusion of Migrants" Mrs Maria Andrikopoulou – Rouvali and members of the C4I core team, have analyzed the local concept and the view of Patras Municipality, making the link with the activation of Patras in “Intercultural Cities” network of CoE and the intercultural strategy of the city.

The Cultural Organization of the Municipality of Patras is the partner in “Communication for  integration - social networking for diversity (C4I)” project that aims to create social networks and public awareness on immigration and diversity, combating unfounded rumors that undermine integration strategies at the local level.
The C4i activation of Patras includes among other cultural actions, training, surveys, website creation, aiming to raise awareness of intercultural society and social cohesion.

The project is funded by the European Commission / (DG HOME / Grants HOME/2012-13/CA/CFP/EIF under "European Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals" 2012-2013) and the Council of Europe (which is the coordinator at the same). All partner cities of C4I project are members of “Intercultural Cities” network of CoE. This is regarded as an excellent platform for exchange of experiences and difusion of results. Patras intends to fully exploit this combination for the benefit of its citizens.