The needs of people with refugee and migration experience who come to Wrocław change over time, which is why it is important to monitor the situation continuously and adapt public services accordingly. On 17 November 2023, the third networking meeting for organisations and individuals working in the field of intercultural dialogue was held as part of the “Together on Interculturality” series. The discussion focused on challenges, needs and solutions relating to support for people with migration and refugee experience who have chosen Wrocław as their place to live.
The starting point for the meeting was the challenges and issues raised by participants in the table discussions on Support during the inauguration of the series on 14 September this year. In response to the proposed discussion topics, we invited representatives of Wrocław institutions and organisations that support migrants and refugees both through their statutory activities and through targeted programmes responding to specific community needs.
Joanna Kot presented the activities of the Municipal Social Welfare Centre (MOPS) supporting people from Ukraine and of other nationalities, aimed at children, families and adults. The specialised unit in this area is the Team for People Experiencing Homelessness and Refugees, but other MOPS units are actively involved as needed.
Bartłomiej Bajak (Department of Security and Crisis Management) briefly outlined the chronology of events and the dynamics of securing accommodation for refugees arriving from Ukraine after 24 February 2022, as well as planned measures in this area until 4 March 2024 (the date until which the special act remains in force). This cut-off date was also addressed by Bartłomiej Świerczewski, Director of the Social Affairs Department of Wrocław City Hall, who gave assurances that no one in Wrocław would be left without the support they need.
Ewa Żmuda (Wrocław Integration Centre) talked about the centre’s statutory activities in the field of social and vocational activation, which are also open to newcomers, and about the “Wrocław na Językach Świata” project. Anna Boduszek (Department of Health and Social Affairs, Wrocław City Hall) talked about key measures taken after February 2022, including support for medical points at accommodation sites, cooperation with the Chamber of Pharmacists, and the provision of interpreting and psychological support.
Psychological support for refugees, intercultural assistance and projects for national and ethnic minority communities were presented by Lesya Savytska from Fundacja Kalejdoskop Kultur.
Fundacja NON LICET, whose main goal is to support children and families affected by violence and crime, was represented by Agnieszka Świętczak, who described the forms of help provided to children and families at the Children’s Help Centre (Grabiszyńska 35-39 B) and at the Bezpieczna Przystań centre (Stalowa 6A). Vitalina Kihim from the Wrocław branch of Centrum Praw Kobiet listed a range of activities supporting integration, adaptation and education, including a helpline for women in need, language classes and meetings on medical care.
Teo Łagowska (Stowarzyszenie Kultura Równości) talked about projects addressing the needs of LGBTQiA+ people with migration/refugee experience, who face intersecting risks of exclusion. Alina Szeptycka, the Mayor’s Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment, stressed the need for an intersectional approach that sees clients as people with diverse identities, and the importance of sharing information about the resources of institutions and organisations. She also announced a new section on the www.wroclaw.pl portal – Wrocław City of Equality – which will provide information about institutions and organisations working for equality.
SAVE THE DATE
The last meeting of 2023 is scheduled for 13 December at 13:00 at Centrum na Przedmieściu (ul. Prądzyńskiego 39A). We will share the meeting agenda soon!
Make a note of the date in your calendar!
Useful links:
Documents from the meeting are available below:
- Notes from the meeting on 17 November
- Presentation by the Municipal Social Welfare Centre (MOPS)
- Presentation by Fundacja Kalejdoskop Kultur
The meeting is organised by the Wrocław Centre for Social Development in cooperation with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS) and Dolnośląska Federacja Organizacji Pozarządowych (DFOP).
