Name of the organization or artist

Symbiosis

Email

office@symbiosis.org.gr

Address

Ag. Theodoras 10, 54623 Thessaloniki

Country

Greece

Website URL

https://www.symbiosis.org.gr

Missions and objectives

Symbiosis was founded in May 2011 drawing upon collaborations in the Balkans and Greece in education, rights and anti-discrimination. Based on the premise that practicing human rights protection equals to democratic rule of law, Symbiosis focuses on information and education, freedom of expression, documentation and analysis, public debate and active civic participation, so that people and communities voice their needs and ideas. Grounded on the need for global civics, citizenship, social inclusion and political participation, Symbiosis work towards democratic participation in political processes free of discrimination and exclusion, and on developing civic awareness on institutional practices regarding rights.

Symbiosis’ activities are related to the Article 10 (Freedom of thought, conscience and religion), Article 11 (Freedom of expression and information), Article 13 (Freedom of the arts and sciences), Article 14 (Right to education), as well as the Article 21 (Non-discrimination) of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Symbiosis advocates for the political, social and economic participation of migrants and marginalised communities. Τhe organisation participates in networks such as the Anna Lindh Foundation Network, the Fundamental Rights Platform of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, the Greek Housing Network, Select Respect Network and the Thessaloniki Municipality Migrants’ Integration Council (2012-19).

Main Activities

In 2020, Symbiosis has been awarded the European Citizens’ Prize by the European Parliament for the activities of the School of Political Studies in Greece.

The School for Political Studies in Greece was established by Symbiosis and the Council of Europe in 2014 and affiliated to the Network of Council of Europe Schools of Political Studies. This initiative of the Council of Europe since the early 1990s aims to develop and strengthen democratic processes, strengthen civil society and promote democratic initiatives. Today, the 21 Schools that make it up, focus on the challenges that arise for democracy and its institutions.

The educational programme of the School in Greece consists of an annual cycle of seminars, participation in the Council of Europe World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg, as well as training, and it aims at education, co-operation and dialogue among civil society, policy makers, experts and the media. It focuses on human rights, anti-discrimination, social inclusion, democratic citizenship, freedom of expression, democratic governance, equality and gender-based violence, migration and the protection of the environment.

Contact person

Despina Syrri