Intercultural Mediators
Their role:
They act as mediators between individuals or/and groups who differ in terms of language, cultural beliefs and practices in order to ensure equitable communication and cultural understanding between all parties.
The services they provide:
- Facilitate communication and transactions of third-country nationals with government and state bodies.
- Provide information to third-country nationals about issues that concern them. They also inform third-country nationals about available services, as well as the pre-requisites for using these services. In cases where official translation or interpretation is needed, intercultural mediators can not replace licensed translators or interpreters.
Their importance:
The need for effective intercultural communication is becoming increasingly imperative, as intercultural mediators assist with:
- providing complete information and efficient services to third-country nationals,
- ensuring third-country nationals' equal access to necessary goods and services, and
- raising awareness and improving services offered by various bodies.
Their obligations:
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While providing their services, intercultural mediators should:
- respect the rights of all individuals
- abide with confidentiality requirements
- be impartial, without taking sides
- assist in resolving misunderstandings
Where you can find services of intercultural mediation:
- in Migrant Integration Centers
- in Community Centers of Municipalities (read more below about the: "Program of “Reinforcement/promotion of intercultural mediation services in Community Centers/Migrant Integration Centers of Municipalities.”)
- in government bodies and non-government organizations in the context of reception and protection programs for applicants of international protection
Program: Reinforcement and promotion of intercultural mediation services in Community Centers, Migrant Integration Centers of Municipalities
The planners of the program:
The Directorate of Social Integration has designed in collaboration with the Actions Coordination and Monitoring Authority (EYSEKT) of the European Social Fund and the Hellenic Agency for Local Development and Local Government (E.E.T.A.A.), the program “Reinforcement/promotion of intercultural mediation services in Community Centers/Migrant Integration Centers of Municipalities.”
With regards to the funding:
The program is funded by the Regional Operational Programs (ROP) in the context of the Institutional Objective 9, “Promotion of social inclusion and combating poverty and discrimination."
Objectives of the program:
- The program foresees the training and employment of fifty-eight (58) Intercultural Mediators in forty-seven (47) municipalities of the country in eight (8) regions (Attica, Central Macedonia, East Macedonia-Thrace, Thessaly, Ipiros, West Greece, Central Greece and Crete).
Its duration:
The program is designed to run for three years with the potential of being extended depending on the operation of Community Centers. The total estimated budget is 2,770,460 €.
The role of the Directorate of Social Integration:
The Directorate of Social Integration monitors the program in close collaboration with the Hellenic Agency for Local Development and Local Government (E.E.T.A.A.). It also provides instructions and directions where needed and makes every possible effort in order to ensure the effective implementation of the program.