Seminar “Social inclusion of refugees through physical activity and sport”

Barcelona (ES), 13 December 2023

We invite you to the final seminar of the COMMUNITY project, where the main results will be presented, current and future challenges regarding the social inclusion of refugees will be addressed and we will discuss potential strategies for the implementation of the socio-sports methodology.

The COMMUNITY project, led by the University of Barcelona, is an initiative that has tackled, over the last few years, the obstacles to the social inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers through physical activity and collaborative sport.

Challenges such as racism, discrimination, segregation and xenophobia have been addressed through a succession of Socio-Sports Meetings, which are based upon activities to enhance personal empowerment, coexistence and interculturality.

The project has pursued the following objectives:

1. To improve mutual knowledge and understanding between refugees and host communities.
2. To address issues such as empowerment, coexistence, positive conflict management, direct participation, critical thinking, interculturality and intergenerational relations.
3. Facilitate physical well-being and promote the direct participation of host communities in innovative approaches to the social integration of refugees through sports and physical activities.

Target audience

Teaching and research staff from universities and educational centres throughout Catalonia.

Professionals working with people at risk of exclusion.

Professionals from organisations that work with refugees, asylum seekers or people in similar situations: NGOs, foundations, associations, social services, etc.

Professionals and students in the fields of education, pedagogy, social work, psychology, physical education and sports.

Objectives

To present:
– The main results of the COMMUNITY project.
– A set of tools for professionals and organisations to design, implement and evaluate Socio-Sports Meetings.

To exchange good practices between social organisations, NGOs and social groups involved in initiatives related to the social inclusion of refugees through physical activity.

Reflect and debate on:
– The use of physical activity and sport as pedagogical tools for social transformation with respect to refugees and asylum seekers.
– Potential implementation strategies of socio-educational interventions based on physical activity.
– Current and future challenges regarding the social inclusion of refugees in host communities.

Programme

Wednesday 13 December 2023, from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

• 9:00 a.m. – Let’s start!
  Registration of participants.
• 9:30 a.m. – Presentation of the seminar
  The University of Barcelona, a university committed to social inclusion.
• 10:00 a.m. – Presentation of the project
  What is COMMUNITY?
  Francesc Buscà | Associate Professor of the Applied Didactics Department of the Faculty of Education of the University of Barcelona and Principal Investigator of the COMMUNITY project
• 10:30 a.m. – Activities and methodologies
  What are the Socio-sports Meetings and how do they work?
  Francesc Buscà | Associate Professor of the Applied Didactics Department of the Faculty of Education of the University of Barcelona and Principal Investigator of the COMMUNITY project.
  Laura Tomàs | Physical Education Teacher, Social Educator and Educator of COMMUNITY socio-sports meetings.
• 11:00 a.m. – Let’s rest!
  Coffee break and Networking.
• 11:30 a.m. – Dialogue. What do participants of the conference think?
  Conversation with refugees, students, and volunteers who have participated in the socio-sports meetings.
  Moderator | Laura Tomàs
• 12:00 p.m. – Round table
  Different social entities that work on inclusion from physical activity will share their experiences, good practices and potential applications of the methodology.
  La Rotllana | Non-profit association that works for children and young people from non-formal education. From alternative education, culture, international cooperation, sports and social and community action, they work to promote equality and respect for diversity. 
  Refugees Welcome | Non-profit organization with solid experience in the field of social inclusion. They work to promote a cultural change and a new model of welcome.
  Open to the public | Come and participate!
• 1:00 p.m. – Let’s finish!
  Compilation of conclusions.

Materials

• Slides “Presentation of the ‘COMMUNITY’ project”
• Slides “Results of the ‘COMMUNITY’ project”

Register now!

This event took place on 13 December 2023. Registration is no longer available.