Padua: Municipality and University sign a memorandum of understanding for the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in the educational programs of the University of Padua.

Municipality and University, together, for the reception and inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers in the training courses of the University of Padua: a memorandum of understanding has been signed which defines and strengthens the institutional framework of collaboration between the subjects involved, also open to the membership of other public, central and local institutions, as well as the membership of other civil society organisations.

The protocol was presented at a press conference at Palazzo Moroni, by the Councilor for Social Affairs, Margherita Colonnello, by the Vice-Rector with responsibility for International Relations of the University of Padua, Cristina Basso, by Dominique Boa, member of the Commission for the representation of Paduan people with foreign citizenship.
The agreement is aimed at disseminating and supporting enrollment in the university's study courses aimed at applicants and holders of international protection precisely to promote access to the university course for those who have not been able to continue their studies in their own country, with a view to inclusion and integration into the local and national socio-cultural fabric.

The recipients are, in fact, the holders of international protection (asylum) permits; subsidiary protection; of special protection; of medical care; of requesting asylum; of other permits that allow access to SAI projects.

The underlying theme of the protocol is the dual commitment of the parties starting from the 2023/24 academic year: on the one hand, the Municipality of Padua, which, within the framework of the Rondine project, active since 2006 and dedicated to reception, integration and protection services for applicants and holders of international protection, and the continuation of SAI – Reception and Immigration System -, through the Department of Social Affairs, with the collaboration of the Popoli Insieme Association and some Paduan university residences, offers housing, bureaucratic and training support, if needed, to refugee students, to give them the opportunity to study and build their future peacefully; on the other hand, the University, which, within the framework of the adhesion of the University to the Manifesto of the Inclusive University proposed by UNHCR Italy, with an act of the Academic Senate approves the enrollment in the bachelor's degree / master's degree / single-cycle master's degree courses for holders of a residence permit for asylum request, on condition of obtaining the same or a similar status.

University and Municipality have already collaborated for the reception and inclusion in the territory of Afghan citizens who arrived in Italy in August 2021 and were awarded scholarships “Unipd 4 Afghanistan”. Therefore, the sharing between the Administration and the University of initiatives of common interest continues in compliance with active policies and missions regarding reception and the new agreement signed goes in this direction.
Going into the details of the memorandum of understanding, the mutual commitments for the implementation of the project itself are also defined.

Here are which ones: The Municipality, in collaboration with the services of the University of Padua, is committed to disseminating information on the opportunities offered by the University both to the asylum-seeking and refugee population and to the foreign population in general and in particular to second-generation residents. the web portal “Padova Per”, created precisely to allow citizens to easily find information on the services available in the city, and through initiatives carried out in collaboration with schools and with the Commission for the representation of Paduan people with foreign citizenship.

The University, in collaboration with municipal services, is committed to promoting study opportunities through initiatives and actions such as, for example, orientation days, online and in-person information sessions, preparation of accessible online and paper information material, online and in-person helpdesk. presence and also undertakes to support the recipients of the agreement in enrolling in courses and accessing university services.

A common commitment for both signatory bodies will be to promote and disseminate the contents and objectives of the memorandum of understanding to involve other entities of civil society.
“Another signature for inclusion – comments the social councilor, Margherita Colonnello – and a further opportunity to promote and spread knowledge of the active policies and services that the Administration dedicates to applicants and holders of international protection. Since 2006 the Municipality has joined the Sprar and participates in the network of reception and integration services with the Rondine project which involves various territorial entities. Initially there were about fifteen beneficiaries – specifies the councilor – and, gradually over time, they have always grown, reaching 36 in 2013, 50 in 2018 up to the current 70 citizens taken care of by the Social Society, beneficiaries of all those activities foreseen by the project. We are therefore part of a dense territorial network that offers services and protection to asylum seekers and refugees, an area that over the years has seen us and continues to see us operate in synergy with the University to offer support and opportunities for inclusion in the social fabric of the community to people fleeing violence and persecution. The creation of this protocol therefore aims to strengthen the mission already shared with the University, i.e. the desire to communicate and make known as much as possible the opportunities that the city offers to those seeking protection while inviting, at the same time, other local entities to participate and share this our vision of an inclusive and welcoming city."

“In recent years, the University has implemented many actions to support populations at risk – underlines Professor Cristina Basso, Vice-Rector with responsibility for International Relations at the University of Padua – awarding 124 scholarships through the Unipd4Afghanistan, Unipd4Ukraine, Unipd4Myanmar, UNICORE, and Students at risk programs, welcoming and supporting the students who benefit from the scholarships and interacting with numerous local actors who share the same commitment and interest. In particular, the collaboration with the Municipality of Padua has been started positively for the reception and integration in the territory of Afghan citizens who arrived in Italy starting from August 2021. The comparison between the University and the Municipality of Padua then focused on the people hosted in the municipal reception network and it emerged that very few people look at the opportunity of training at a university institution as a tool for integration and inclusion in the Italian territory. The need has therefore emerged to stipulate a memorandum of understanding aimed at structuring the collaboration between the University and the Municipality of Padua to disseminate information about the opportunities offered by the University to the asylum-seeking and refugee population. This will be done through online and in-person information sessions, the preparation of online and paper information material, and an online and in-person help desk”.

“Taking advantage of our lived experiences – says Dominique Boa, member of the Commission for the representation of Paduan people with foreign citizenship – Today we have contributed to the realization of this project that intends to facilitate a life path: the path of social inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers. This project is an opportunity that we offer to the city of Padua and to the foreign community, because with this protocol, we want to provide an answer to the needs of the people we already meet on the street, starting from the difficulties in dealing with administrative procedures and in accessing information and services independently in order to be able to enroll at the University. This project is the testimony of a Padua that wants to define itself as an inclusive city as this project brings together several bodies, institutions that will dialogue to offer in a synergic way a series of services to support asylum seekers and refugees, the most fragile citizens. Only by working together can we effectively address the numerous challenges that foreigners in general and refugees and asylum seekers in particular must face to build a life in Italy. I have always thought that studies and knowledge are fundamental pillars for inclusion”.