Ella Petousis’ Post

Here are a few photos from my recent trip to Bulgaria, where I took part in the Erasmus+ Youth Training "𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀". The project brought together groups from seven European countries to share insights on national migration dynamics, develop youth work practices, and engage in intercultural exchange, all amidst the beautiful rolling hills and lush landscapes of the Uzana region, Bulgaria's geographical centre.

I am proud and grateful to have graduated from the Università degli Studi di Padova with a Master's in Human Rights & Multi-level Governance. Two years spent living and learning in this small Italian city have greatly enriched my life with intercultural knowledge and exchange, an entirely new academic discipline, and a diverse array of people who have made the whole experience feel engaging and colourful. My thesis was entitled "Cultural Crossroads: Insights into the Social Integration and Sense of Belonging of African Refugees in Italy". Through qualitative interviews, I was able to gain deeper insights into the structural and cultural challenges that migrants face in the process of integrating into a new sociocultural environment. This research has confirmed my desire to work in fields related to refugees, social cohesion and culture. I would like to thank the Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale for sponsoring my education in Italy, as well as all the incredible friends and family who have supported me in my academic journey abroad!

While living in Padova for the past two years, I became involved with Popoli Insieme and their Monday night intercultural meetings; they became an integral part of my experience in the city. I first found the organisation online, as I was searching for an intercultural activity in which to become involved — I deeply value being able to form relationships with people across lines that often divide us as humans, such as race, socioeconomic class, religion, language and culture (but many other things too). The activities we performed at Via Minio with people from Italy, Mali, Somalia, Gambia, South Africa (etc) made visible to me both the challenges and the beauty that come with diversity. The most interesting times for me were the ones where our group engaged in in-depth discussions about the various cultural values and norms that we each held, which often seemed disparate or even clashing. But, even more rewarding are the moments where people are able to connect and understand each other despite the vastly different lived experiences, opportunities, beliefs, challenges and journeys through life that we all have. These are the moments where life seems it can make sense. Thank you Popoli Insieme and all the wonderful people who came together on these special Monday evenings. These shared times have shown that openness, curiosity, generosity, respect, vulnerability, participation and friendship are the seeds to enrich and strengthen our diverse social fabric. This tapestry was the first Monday night activity I initiated. We each painted a square of fabric which I later stitched together.

A two-week Blended Intensive Programme study trip I did in Budapest, Hungary (March 2023) on the topic "Digitalisation: Economic and Social Impacts - Challenges in Labour Law". It was organised by the University of Padova, University University of Carlos III of Madrid, University of Champagne-Ardenne of Reims and Eötvös Loránd University of Hungary.

Lebanon, 19-30 September 2022 PATHS OF PEACE: A Journey Among Women, Youth and Students Between Italy and Lebanon for the Implementation of the United Nations 'Women, Peace & Security Agenda'. Organised by the Human Rights Centre - University of Padova and the Civilian Defence Research Centre (Rome) with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in cooperation with local partners Permanent Peace Movement (Beirut) and the Arab Master's Programme in Democracy and Human Rights. This was a truly life-changing and enriching study trip I went on to Lebanon. Not only did we learn about the country's various social, political and economic crises, but we got to meet with the most incredible local NGOs and other governmental and UN organisations making efforts in peace-building between Lebanon's divided communities across the country. Here you can find the documentary made about the trip: https://lnkd.in/gKBEiqqD The most meaningful meetings for me were with The Relief & Reconciliation International Peace Centre led by Friedrick Bockern in Bkarzla village in the Aakkar region (which holds the highest number of Syrian refugees in Lebanon). The project aims to provide humanitarian aid to those not covered by government not UNHCR support, as well as to provide integration, education and cultural activities for Syrian children. Basket Beats Borders: An NGO in Shatila (an area of Beirut made up of Palestinian refugees) made up of high school girls who use basketball as a means to overcome physical and cultural barriers. (https://lnkd.in/gXhKidGS) March Lebanon who do various social cohesion building and conflict resolution activities between historically at-war communities. (https://lnkd.in/gFdfni6M) I also found the meetings with UNIFIL as well as with Nicoletta Bombardiere, The Italian Ambassador to Lebanon, wonderfully insightful and interesting. Some photos I took on the trip:

I took part in the Università degli Studi di Padova's Spring School on "Diversity Beyond the Landscape: Excellencies and Challenges of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Prosecco Hills". [March-June 2022] The project involved four overnight outings to different areas of the Prosecco region, where we met with various stakeholders such as wine farmers, business owners, local politicians and residents. The purpose was to delve into the Geological, Agricultural, Industrial and Sociocultural Landscapes of this rich and complex region, to understand its environmental and social fragilities, tensions and richness. The final product of my group of 8 students was this booklet (see attached) that presented these various elements and landscapes in the form of photographs, research, poetry and interviews. I was responsible for designing and putting together the booklet, as well as the photography.

[May 2022] I was one of six students from the University of Padova who took part in an Arqus European University Alliance 'Challenge-Based Collaborative Programme' entitled "Diversity, Interdisciplinarity and Societal Challenges". It was held in Granada, Spain from 2-6 May 2022 and involved students from 7 European universities forming the Arqus Alliance.

Recently, I took part in an Arqus Alliance Student-led Forum on Diversity, Citizenship and Interdisciplinarity as a University of Padova representative. Participants came from 7 partner Arqus Alliance universities across Europe, and over two days we engaged in workshops and discussions related to the overall theme of interdisciplinary collaboration. It was a stimulating and engaging event!