Students from 60 schools, 40 Italians and 20 foreigners, meet in these days on the island of Lampedusa to discuss the issues of rights and migration, on the occasion of the "National Day in memory of the victims of immigration", established with law number 45 of 21 March 2016, in memory of the victims of the shipwreck which took place on 3 October 2013, which cost the lives of 368 men, women and children.
An opportunity for young people to meet and exchange, with experts, associations, survivors and relatives of the victims in a place that has been in recent years "the port front of a Europe that has not always been able to welcome, has not always remembered ", Declares the Minister of Education Patrizio Bianchi," but which actually reminds us of the need to continually reflect on the great issues of a global era: migration, humanitarian emergencies, the theme of racism and discrimination. Issues that must be addressed by the whole European Union, which should be found in Lampedusa, on a day in which memory and hospitality become one. Europe has experienced very tragic pages in its history, but it has managed to go further, not forgetting but making memory the connective tissue of a new humanity. Thanks to the girls and boys, thanks to everyone for the work they are doing: it helps to make no one feel like a stranger in this Europe of ours ”.
The girls and boys participating in the educational initiatives in Lampedusa, until 3 October, were selected thanks to a competition held during the 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 school year. During their stay on the island, students and teachers will have the opportunity to take part in workshops, training moments, screenings and artistic events, focused on the themes of human rights, migration, the rights of migrants and refugees (especially minors) , of the rescue at sea.
The initiative, coordinated by the Ministry of Education - Directorate General for students, inclusion and school guidance, is part of the Fami Project "Doors of Europe 2020/2021" and is carried out in collaboration with the October 3 Committee , the All-inclusive Institute “L. Pirandello ”of Lampedusa, the CPIA of Agrigento, the IPSCEOA“ N. Gallo ”in Agrigento, the Liceo Scientifico-Musicale-Choreutico“ G. Marconi ”of Pesaro, the National Association of Civil War Victims and with the Municipality of Lampedusa and Linosa.
The event will involve over 15 Italian and international associations and non-governmental organizations.
On the occasion of the ceremony on October 3, the "Doors of Europe" competition promoted by the Ministry of Education for the school year 2021/2022 will be announced. The competition is aimed at upper secondary schools throughout the country, which are invited to participate in collaboration with a school in another European country. The announcement of the competition represents the formal act through which the Ministry starts the educational path that will end in October 2022 and invites schools to reflect on the themes of the National Day.