Working Groups – The AEGEEan – AEGEE's online magazine – AEGEE-Europe ../../.. AEGEE's Online Magazine Thu, 08 Sep 2022 14:20:21 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.7 ../../../wp-content/uploads/cropped-The-AEGEEan_logo-FBprofile-32x32.png Working Groups – The AEGEEan – AEGEE's online magazine – AEGEE-Europe ../../.. 32 32 Discussing serious issues during SU: SEWG workshops during the Summer University of AEGEE-Iaşi ../../../2022/09/08/discussing-serious-issues-during-su-cewg-workshops-during-the-summer-university-of-aegee-iasi/ Thu, 08 Sep 2022 13:42:39 +0000 ../../../?p=43356 As AEGEEans we all know how much fun Summer Universities are. It’s that time of the year  when we all get the opportunity to explore new regions and cultures —and of course love the program and the parties that the respective antennas organise. However, SUs are also a great place to learn something new about the important issues of our… Read more →

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As AEGEEans we all know how much fun Summer Universities are. It’s that time of the year  when we all get the opportunity to explore new regions and cultures —and of course love the program and the parties that the respective antennas organise. However, SUs are also a great place to learn something new about the important issues of our time. Many of them offer thematic workshops and this year’s  SU of AEGEE-Iaşi collaborated with the Social Equity Working Group to teach the participants all about social equity, refugees, discrimination and much more. Meet the SEWG-trainer Florina Neagu and find out how and why she and her team planned the workshops and how they went in the end!

Hey Florina, and thank you for answering some questions for us! First of all, can you introduce yourself and your team that created the sessions to our readers? Why did you decide to join the Summer University of AEGEE-Iaşi to hold workshops on social equity?

I’m Florina, member of AEGEE-Göteborg & AEGEE-Iaşi, and until August this year, I was the coordinator of the Social Equity Working Group. The sessions were part of the work I’ve done in the working group during the last term, together with my team, Anna Lena (AEGEE-Heidelberg), Carmen (AEGEE-Erfurt), Milica and Nevena (AEGEE-Niš), Alba (AEGEE-Alicante), Ana Isabel (AEGEE-Valladolid), and of course, Teddy,  our CD-appointed member. Since the drafting of our Activity Plan, we planned to collaborate with Locals and other EBs for at least two Summer Universities and when the opportunity came, we were more than happy to help and share our materials. Being a member of AEGEE-Iaşi and involved in this SU in the previous years, I was already following their work. And due to the situation in Ukraine and the involvement of Romania in helping refugees, they approached us to talk about discrimination based on place of origin. We focused on this topic before, under Action 4 of the Action Agenda (AA), therefore we wanted to share our sessions with others.

How did you perceive the reaction of the participants to the sometimes difficult topics you were covering? Were you surprised by some of them?

I joined the working group after its creation, in 2020, and what I have learned during this time is that we are always dealing with sensitive subjects as part of our work. Moreover, we cannot always have a session with participants with the same views. It is also very common to encounter some racist or discriminatory behaviour. This is why we do what we do: try to raise awareness, educate others and ask them to reflect on their own ideas. However, I was personally surprised by this SU, because most of the participants did not know that much about the thematic focus of the event, and still, they got involved in every discussion and shared their own views. Also, I had many discussions with the participants after the session and I realised that even after it was over, they were questioning some of the things presented and reflecting on their own positions. 

We had this session, for example, on what is privilege and how to recognise it, that we also delivered at the last Agora — though in this SU, we chose to change it a bit, use fictional roles and ask participants to put themselves in other people’s shoes. We tried role play because of the particularity of SUs, where people usually go to have fun and travel. However, after the session was over, I was surprised that many participants wanted to do it from their own perspectives. And this is always hard because it gets very personal when we realise how privileged we are in comparison with others. But they were so invested in this activity that they were willing to question their own position. I was there to share with them our knowledge, but in the end, I learned a lot of things from each one of them and hopefully, the working group can take it further. 

How did your team prepare the workshops? Was there anything you considered as particularly important? 

Our plan for this term was to have some sessions under each action of the Action Agenda, and,  in this way, raise awareness about all the topics we covered this year. For big activities like a SU, we always have to keep in mind that there are multiple sessions throughout the whole event, so we try to link them. Also, not everyone is usually familiar with these topics, that’s why we start with some introductory sessions and then dive into the main topic.  

For this SU, we actually combined some sessions created under Action 1, for example, about privilege, intersectionality or personal identity, as an introduction, and then we started talking about discrimination based on place of origin. We didn’t just want to present migration as a general phenomenon. We tried to bring to the discussion topics such as countering stereotypes about people with a migratory background, challenging negative narratives in the media or exploring humanitarian work on the ground. We had, for example, a collaboration with the Romanian Red Cross – Brașov Branch, where one of their volunteers shared with everyone about his experience helping Ukrainian refugees at the border. The most important thing for us in this event is what the participants can take further, practical tips about how they can tackle discrimination and negative narratives in their daily life. 

During the workshops did everything go according to the plan? How did you respond to problems?

When it comes to the issues mentioned before about the overall atmosphere in the group, we try to be prepared for everything. Luckily, even when having contradictory ideas, the participants managed to keep a high level of respect for each other and had constructive debates. We always had people participating in the discussions, but maybe not everyone was interested in these topics at the beginning. So sometimes we had to adapt and let them get involved in interactive debates, rather than sharing our knowledge on the topic. We even adapted the energisers and icebreakers to link them more with the main theme of the workshop. We had to “deviate from the original script” sometimes and let them share more, so they could understand better from their own examples and discussion. We also had some problems, mainly due to organisational reasons, such as a change of venue, schedule or missing logistics. But as mentioned, I was ready for it, so I think in the end we had an amazing learning experience.

One of the sessions you presented was dealing with the issue of refugees. In these times this is a topic more pressing than ever before as people have to leave their homes because of climate change, wars, economic downturns and other factors. Is there some fact about the topic of refugees or migration that you think everyone should be aware of?

When we approach the topic of discrimination based on place of origin in our sessions, we always try to highlight that there are different types of migration, with multiple causes, and that even defining the concept of “migrant” is complicated. There is a risk nowadays of blurring the line that separates different groups of migrants, because not everyone is a refugee, and knowing the difference between them, asylum-seekers, internally displaced people and other migrants, is very important. Different groups leave their home for different reasons, and they receive protection based on their circumstances. People don’t look for refuge in other countries only because of war, but also due to other factors, as you mentioned, which are sometimes missed in the conversation about migration. We also encourage people to look beyond these labels, as they are temporary and do not reflect the whole identity of those leaving their homes. Unfortunately, nowadays, the debate on migration rarely takes into account the facts or the individual life stories of those involved. Women are rarely quoted, while information that we receive through political discourse, on social media or tv, is dominated by misinformation, sensationalism and prejudices. Everyone should always pay attention to these issues and make sure to contribute to debunking the myths and stereotypes spread through different channels. 

What can we as members of AEGEE do to help people that have to leave their homes?

There is a short video from Amnesty International that we included in our sessions and that illustrates perfectly how anyone can help, no matter the resources or the country where you are coming from. We, as an organisation and individuals, most of us coming from a privileged background, have so much to offer, through different means: 

  • Start by getting informed, be aware of the factors that force people to leave their homes and debunk all those stereotypes used to instigate hatred and discrimination. 
  • Raise awareness and speak up, whether you do it on Social Media, in an activity organised by your Local, in a discussion of our working group or in a debate with decision-makers in your own city. 
  • Support different campaigns to help people on the move and when possible, host refugees and asylum seekers in your home or look for volunteering opportunities in your city. 

Keep following the Social Equity Working Group, because the next Action Agenda has an entire action dedicated to this topic and they are planning many activities where you can get involved, individually or together with your Local!

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#Breakingthe bias campaign: Read all about it! ../../../2022/03/20/breakingthe-bias-campaign-read-all-about-it/ Sun, 20 Mar 2022 12:39:05 +0000 ../../../?p=43258 This time we have the pleasure to get to know more about the #Breakingthebias campaign and their goals and their ideas. The event is hosted by the Social Equity Working group and we have the lovely coordinator of the group, Florina-Marieta Neagu, answer some questions: Can you tell us a bit more about #BreakingtheBias campaign? What exactly have you planned… Read more →

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This time we have the pleasure to get to know more about the #Breakingthebias campaign and their goals and their ideas. The event is hosted by the Social Equity Working group and we have the lovely coordinator of the group, Florina-Marieta Neagu, answer some questions:

Can you tell us a bit more about #BreakingtheBias campaign? What exactly have you planned and who is involved?

This year’s campaign focuses on raising awareness against bias in schools and workplaces, on promoting women’s achievements and advocating for equity in opportunity and accessibility in education for women. As part of the campaign, we have planned some events that take place online and offline during March 2021, including sessions, a book club night, Europe Café, a pub quiz or Instagram Live interviews. These events are also accompanied by a Social Media campaign and collaborations with other external stakeholders, European Bodies and Locals of AEGEE. The campaign is organised under Action 3 of this year’s Action Agenda and is also part of the International Women’s Day global initiative. #Breakthebias is the global slogan used by many organisations this year and the Social Equity Working Group decided to join the movement that promotes action against various biases women carry. 

Here is a sneak peak of our future activities:

An impression of the Pub Quizz

How did you come up with the idea? 

As our work addresses topics such as the promotion of equity and human rights, but also tackling discrimination based on multiple grounds, we decided to dedicate a whole month to one of the International days with long history and achievements since then – International Women’s Day. This is also a follow-up to the campaign on the same topic from the last term. But this year we decided to focus on breaking the bias in schools and at the workplace, in line with the global campaign with the same name and because the third action of the Action Agenda focuses on AEGEEans advocating for equity in opportunity and accessibility in education. We thought there is still a lot of work to be done in achieving our definitions of success in this thematic area and fulfilling our objectives for this year, and this campaign became one of the means to do it. 

What are your goals with this project?

Every campaign is special itself and deserves attention, so this one aims at pointing out achievements so far, to remind society of the unlimited potential women have as well as to speak up about existing problems women are experiencing on a daily basis. Through events, we reach out to activists, professionals and young women around Europe who are eager to share their views on the topic of equity and their experience as women in different professional fields or simply advocate for equal opportunities. We are also trying to reach more AEGEEans and collaborate with Locals in organising their own campaign and events. 

Some of the main goals are raising awareness about existing bias in schools and workplaces which limit women’s access to opportunities and education, providing youth with relevant information and resources necessary to act against discrimination in these environments and promoting women’s achievement and experiences through external collaborations. 

“Some of the main goals are raising awareness about existing bias in schools and workplaces which limit women’s access to opportunities and education, providing youth with relevant information and resources necessary to act against discrimination in these environments and promoting women’s achievement and experiences through external collaborations.”

What are you expecting from these collaborations and what is the value you want to bring to the network?

We love collaborating with external stakeholders, due to the valuable experience they can bring to the conversation. From having an Instagram Live with someone from Plan International or HerTime Romania, to listening to the stories of activists during a human library, we get the chance to share different perspectives on a common topic.  And then we have Instagram Lives with projects such as Europe on Track or with the Safe Person Committee which gives us the opportunity to learn also about the work done by AEGEE in breaking the bias and achieving gender equity. We are also open to collaborating with other bodies and Locals, to spread the word about the topic but also to encourage them to get involved more in fulfilling the Action Agenda. 

Gender Equality is one of the most important issues of our time. What do you think are important measures that need to be taken in order to create a better environment in which men and women are treated equally?

Although gender equality is an important issue nowadays, in order to have an environment in which men and women are treated equally, we first need to make sure that women have enough opportunities to reach this position. For this reason, our thematic area deals with gender equity and its achievement in a society requires a lot of individual and collective action.  

Speaking from the point of view of our work, raising awareness by campaigns like this one is one step ahead to breaking stereotypes and reaching our goals under this year’s Action Agenda. Along with education about gender equality and equity, which should be incorporated in every day’s actions, we are also aiming at creating a safe space for everyone, no matter their gender. There is also openness for new experiences and knowledge about equity if we speak about individuals who can make a difference in their life as well as the lives of those close to them. However, we also call upon decision-makers, governments and organisations to advocate for equal opportunities and create policies that might ease the positive change in society. By advocating for equity in the opportunity, we are building a more powerful society and a safer place to live in. Also, gender inequality is an issue that exists 365 days a year and International

Women’s Day is only a reminder of existing barriers women still experience. The fight for equity is timeless but filled with hope and it depends on each one of us to join the movement and #breakthebias.

If you are interested in collaborating with them you can fill out this form: 

https://forms.gle/GghUpEmzoaE9fJK76 and if you want to find out more or keep up with their work you can follow them on social media!

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Climate Migration – a chain reaction of events ../../../2021/11/22/climate-migration-a-chain-reaction-of-events/ Mon, 22 Nov 2021 12:27:13 +0000 ../../../?p=43073 Numerous testimonies of climate migrants have come to light in the last few years given that the negative effects of climate change have been steadily getting worse.  Mr. Serigne Mbaye is a clear example of what a climate migrant is. This Senegalese-Spanish social and political activist has told his story of how climate change has changed his whole life in… Read more →

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Numerous testimonies of climate migrants have come to light in the last few years given that the negative effects of climate change have been steadily getting worse. 

Mr. Serigne Mbaye is a clear example of what a climate migrant is. This Senegalese-Spanish social and political activist has told his story of how climate change has changed his whole life in the online newspaper, ETHIC.

In his own words: “I would like to tell you the reasons why I decided to make this trip (from Senegal to Spain). Because it was the hardest decision of my entire life. […], I had to abandon my family. Over the years, the situation in Senegal had been changing, almost without giving us time to realise what was happening. The seasons had become unpredictable and a great drought had advanced unstoppably”, he states. 

Thousands and thousands of vulnerable people such as Mr. Mbaye, whose livelihood is based on fishing and agriculture, are currently suffering due to climate threats; changing rainfall, heavy flooding, rising sea levels and so on. 

But, just what is a climate migrant?

The media and advocacy groups refer to climate migrants as “climate refugees” given that they are people who leave their homes as a result of climate stressors. 

Climate migrants are not legally considered refugees.

As a matter of fact, “climate refugees” are defined by El-Hinnawi (1985) published in United Nation (UN) report, as “those people who have been forced to leave their traditional habitat, temporarily or permanently, because of a marked environmental disruption (natural and/or triggered by people) that jeopardized their existence and/or seriously affected the quality of their life”.

Nevertheless, these people are not legally considered refugees. According to the Refugee Convention, 1951, refugees are those people who “owing to well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion” have crossed an international border (Art. 1, 1951 Refugee Convention). Hence, the Convention does not recognize the impacts of climate change as a persecuting agent.

Is there a real link between climate change and migration?

According to recent scientific research, human migration can occur for several reasons where the environment could be one of the primary factors as discussed in  the research article, Exploring the link between climate change and migration. In this paper, the authors argue that not only does the connection between climate change and migration exist but furthermore depends on numerous factors relating to the vulnerability of the people and the region in question.

In this same line, Kaczan and Orgill-Meyer in their article, The impact of climate change on migration: a synthesis of recent empirical insights, declare that migration is a “multi-casual phenomenon” where any climate-associated factor contributes to a population’s decision-making process with regard to their own mobility since the authors assume that vulnerability and capability are the main variables to take into account in this complicated matter.  In the IOM report, Migration and global environmental change: future challenges and opportunities,  it is argued that there are 5 broad categories which influence the decision to migrate:

In the IOM report, Migration and global environmental change: future challenges and opportunities,  it is argued that there are 5 broad categories which influence the decision to migrate: Environmental disasters, political issues and forms of governments, social and educational factors, economic factors and demographic variables. 

Note: The conceptual framework that has been used in this project, showing the “drivers” of migration and the influence of environmental change. From The Government Office for Science, London, 2021. Foresight: Migration and Global Environmental Change (2011). Final Project Report. [online] pp.31-234.

Therefore, there is a chain of events whereby all the paths that stem from greenhouse gas emissions can be seen to merge into a final common pathway, which inevitably leads to population migration – be it due to water scarcity, food insecurity, rising sea levels, extreme weather events, or others. In other words, greenhouse gas emissions are directly and indirectly forcing people to move against their will.

The United Nations estimates that an unprecedented number of people – more than 82 million at the end of 2020 – had to move against their will from their homes. 

About 40 million are internally displaced within their home countries due to disasters provoked by climate change, according to a IDMC report, and they are referred to as “internally displaced persons” or IDPs.   

“Internal climate migrants are rapidly becoming the human face of climate change. By 2050—in just three regions—climate change could force more than 143 million people to move within their countries”, according to Groundswell: preparing for internal climate migration report by the World Bank Group. 

It is undeniable that climate migration is an issue of great concern since climate change is playing a main role in this catastrophic scenario. Apparently, public institutions seem to be more and more aware of the serious outcomes of climate change and in consequence, are implementing measures which seem to be effective, at least at a first glance. But, are these measures really enough to stop the climate change chain reaction on migration? 

REFERENCES

El-Hinnawi E (1985) Environmental refugees. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, p 41

IDCM, 2021. Internal displacement in a changing climate. GRID 2021. [online] The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. Available at: <https://www.internal-displacement.org/global-report/grid2021/> [Accessed 12 September 2021].

Kaczan, D. and Orgill-Meyer, J., 2019. The impact of climate change on migration: a synthesis of recent empirical insights. Climatic Change, 158(3-4), pp.281-300.

Kumari Rigaud, K., de Sherbinin, A., Jones, B., Bergmann, J., Clement, V., Ober, K., Schewe, J., Adamo, S., McCusker, B., Heuser, S. and Midgley, A., 2018. Groundswell : Preparing for Internal Climate Migration. [online] World Bank. Available at: <https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/29461> [Accessed 12 September 2021].

L. Perch-Nielsen, S., B. Bättig, M. and Imboden, D., 2008. Exploring the link between climate change and migration. Climatic Change, 91(3-4), pp.375-393.

Mbaye, S., 2018. Yo soy un refugiado climático. ETHIC, [online] Available at: <http://ethic.es> [Accessed 9 September 2021].

The Government Office for Science, London, 2021. Foresight: Migration and Global Environmental Change (2011) .Final Project Report. [online] pp.31-234. Available at: <https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/287717/11-1116-migration-and-global-environmental-change.pdf> [Accessed 13 September 2021].

UN General Assembly, Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, 28 July 1951, United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 189, p. 137, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3be01b964.html [accessed 12 September 2021]

Rigaud, Kanta Kumari; de Sherbinin, Alex; Jones, Bryan; Bergmann, Jonas; Clement, Viviane; Ober, Kayly; Schewe, Jacob; Adamo, Susana; McCusker, Brent; Heuser, Silke; Midgley, Amelia. 2018. Groundswell : Preparing for Internal Climate Migration. World Bank, Washington, DC. © World Bank.

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Interview: Zero Waste Campaign ../../../2021/07/26/interview-zero-waste-campaign/ Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:36:32 +0000 ../../../?p=43048 Humanity must face the waste problem which nowadays has reached drastic importance, requiring acting quickly and incisively. Too much waste thrown into the sea or land improperly is returning to everyday life through food and water, such as microplastics. Not to mention the animals that die from ingesting waste, like whales, with kilos and kilos of garbage in their stomachs.… Read more →

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Humanity must face the waste problem which nowadays has reached drastic importance, requiring acting quickly and incisively. Too much waste thrown into the sea or land improperly is returning to everyday life through food and water, such as microplastics. Not to mention the animals that die from ingesting waste, like whales, with kilos and kilos of garbage in their stomachs. In essence, humanity has generated a real environmental catastrophe. Many actions have been created to cope with this phenomenon, such as the Zero Waste movement which deals with minimizing the production of waste up to complete reuse, recycling, and enhancement. AEGEE welcomed this movement, to the point of investing antennas and working groups to be part of the change. We interviewed the guys from the Climate Emergency Working Group, let us find out what they think!

How and when was the Zero Waste campaign project born?

The idea came from our friends from AEGEE-Salerno and in particular from Martina Masucci, as a Board Member of this wonderful antenna. Martina was very interested in the issue of Zero Waste, as she was aware of the importance of raising awareness of all young people, intending to increase awareness of waste, especially in Italy where the issue is very much felt, as there is the need to enhance the territory, considering the incredible biodiversity and nature available to it. It is in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, a focal point for the success of the ecosystem. Thus, Martina of AEGEE-Salerno and the Climate Emergency Working Group of AEGEE-Europe have brainstormed on the project and on how to carry it out.

In this initiative, have you had feedback on the usefulness of your project. Can you give us some examples?

From the first month of the Climate Emergency Working Group, we have been puzzling to find a “fanciful” way to spread Zero Waste good practices and see them applied at least within our Network. An example was the call to the “Greenest Antenna” to which the magnificent members of AEGEE-Brescia responded, winning the title of Greenest Antenna of October thanks to the commitment they dedicated in the days in which they freed the city parks from waste left by the uncivilized.

Portal and social networks, how useful are they for spreading Zero Waste good practices?

Extremely useful, Zero Waste good practices are often not taught in school, so the best way to reach people is through social media. Reading a post costs little time, but you can learn simple gestures that may not come spontaneously, guided by old practices that are now a habit to be eradicated.

At what age did you start committing yourself to the environment?

Each of us in the Climate Emergency Working Group has begun to approach the protection of the environment for different reasons at different ages. For example, Cristina, of AEGEE-Madrid, from an early age was informed of small daily actions effective to protect the environment, such as not wasting water, or for Giampiero, of AEGEE-Napoli, who from the dream of designing self-sufficient buildings from the point of from an energetic point of view he has come to want to move in everyday life and make it a lifestyle. We all have one point in common, in fact, once we grew up, thanks to AEGEE, we had the opportunity to continue with this commitment and learn more and more. For us, it is now a lifestyle!

What are the first difficulties you have encountered in your path in practicing this lifestyle?

Plastic, plastic and plastic. It is daunting and impressive to see so many products with plastic, especially single-use ones. Its impact is very negative, and it is everywhere, as it is mainly used for packaging. Plastic is so easy to obtain that unfortunately people do not value it and do not realize that a simple gesture, such as recycling, can make a difference. So, the most difficult part is to convince people about how much they can do with small gestures.

It seems like a battle against windmills, maybe even governments could do more, beyond what we can do individually. What do you think about it?

They are both fundamental but let us remember that the government and any political party are nothing more than a small-scale representation of citizens’ thinking and as such, it moves according to what the majority makes to hear. If each person changed their habits personally, we would be able not only to protect the planet, but also to appeal to politicians and governments, but also to companies. Because, in fact, we are in dire need of government measures and it is thanks to an ever-growing awareness of people that the situation is starting to change, finding ourselves in the current green transition. Just think of the greener products that we find at the supermarket, well these arise from the customer’s need, who begins to demand more respect for the environment, or the elimination of subsidies for fossil fuels in favor of those for renewable energy. We are all part of the system!

Would you say, from your experience, that people are changing their habits and thinking more about sustainability in their daily life?

We answer with an optimistic yes! Especially young people, from the generation of Greta Thunberg to ours of AEGEE, you can see an awareness but also a growing concern, sometimes even overwhelming. There is no Planet B! Many young people are changing their habits such as reducing the use of plastic or becoming vegetarians and vegans.

How much do you think the masks, sanitizers, and other medical devices that we are required to use can negatively affect the environment?

Unfortunately, a lot… For example, we can already see many masks thrown away improperly. What has affected a lot has been the fear that people had and still have about this threat to our health. Just think of the disposable gloves used in public places … a great waste, senseless, which does not exclude the possibility of being infected in any case. As we know, COVID is not transmitted through skin contact, so why wear gloves? Just do not touch your face or eyes, instead of using gloves which will inevitably contribute to the increase of waste. If the first quarantine showed us how our planet breathes without our emissions, the next situation turned into a catastrophe, worsening the initial situation.

Today we hear a lot and above all about what pollution causes to the environment, but in your opinion, how serious can the effects of pollution be on our body?

Unfortunately, the effect is not small, and it will get worse and worse. For now, those who pay the consequences are the most fragile people such as the elderly, children and those who suffer from various diseases such as respiratory diseases. According to an estimate by the World Health Organization (WHO), every year 3.7 million people worldwide die because of prolonged exposure, mainly in outdoor environments. In this case, the phenomenon also affects the countries of Western Europe, the United States and Australia, as well as low-income countries. To make you understand what pollution is capable of, we report a serious event that occurred in 1952 in London. At that time, due to a thermal inversion in the atmosphere, the English capital was shrouded in a dense fog of smog for four days, which led to tragic consequences. According to medical services, there were approximately 4,500 more deaths in the first week after the incident. From December 1952 to March 1953, there were over 13,500 more deaths than normal.

Do you think the production of drugs is safe for the environment?

Keeping in mind that the pharmaceutical industries are required to purify and treat the waste generated, the demand gives light to a new type of pollutant that we must consider. I am referring to the residues of drugs that our body expels, such as dicoflenac, an anti-inflammatory that is often used by humans. The residues found in the urine convey into the sewer and subsequently into the treatment plants, which do not all have sufficient technology to remove them from the wastewater. Also due to the lack of legislation on drug pollution, the consequence is that aquatic fauna has repercussions due to this substance, especially in the context of reproduction. The problem must therefore be mitigated and solved both through the new technologies and regulations that are coming into play in the field of wastewater treatment and through conscious and intelligent use of drugs.

Sources

  •  https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/18/3964
  • https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/environment-and-health/air-quality/publications/2013/review-of-evidence-on-health-aspects-of-air-pollution-revihaap-project-final-technical-report
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Disability Awareness Campaign: TS Awareness Week ../../../2021/06/27/disability-awareness-campaign-ts-awareness-week/ Sun, 27 Jun 2021 09:18:17 +0000 ../../../?p=43035 On the occasion of Tourettes Awareness Day on 7th June and as a part of “Disability Awareness Campaign ”, Social Equity Working Group of AEGEE Europe decided to raise the awareness of challenges that young people with Tourette Syndrome tackle on a daily basis through interview with one of the members of European organization that focuses on Tourette syndrome, European… Read more →

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On the occasion of Tourettes Awareness Day on 7th June and as a part of “Disability Awareness Campaign ”, Social Equity Working Group of AEGEE Europe decided to raise the awareness of challenges that young people with Tourette Syndrome tackle on a daily basis through interview with one of the members of European organization that focuses on Tourette syndrome, European Society for the Study of Tourette Syndrome (ESSTS). We are presenting you with an interview with expert interview partner Dr. Nanette Mol Debes, board member & Vice-Chair of ESSTS

Nanette Mol Debes is working as a neuro-pediatrician (combined research and clinical position) at the paediatric department, Herlev University Hospital in Denmark and clinical associate professor at the University of Copenhagen. She graduated from Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen (Holland) in 2002. In 2009, she finished her PhD study “Tourette syndrome and co-morbidity – Diagnostic process and impact of psychosocial consequences, severity of tics, pharmacological treatment, and intelligence” (University of Copenhagen). In 2014, she finished her medical specialization in paediatrics, and in 2017 the sub specialisation in neuropediatrics. She is currently leading several scientific research projects on Tourette syndrome, paediatric headache, sleeping disorders in children and adolescents, post-streptococcal neuropsychiatric disorders, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy in children and adolescents.

If you need to define Tourette syndrome, how would you simply describe it? 

A condition with at least two motor and one vocal tic, persisting for more than one year and starting in early childhood, most typically between age 5-7 years.

What is important, in your opinion, for people to know about young people with Tourette syndrome?

Tics are not dangerous, and, in most patients, tics decline with age. Only a minority of the patients do have coprolalia (e.g. swear words), although that is what usually is depicted in the media. There is a lot of focus on tics and Tourette syndrome on social media, although many of these influencers do not have tics at all as seen in Tourette syndrome.

Do you think that people should be more aware of this condition, which is also considered a neurological disability? If so, how and in which (professional, personal, social) areas?

Tourette syndrome is often underrecognized and underdiagnosed and the delay between onset of symptoms and diagnosis can be long. On the other hand, there is a substantial number of people who are not bothered by their tics at all and they do not need to seek medical attention.

Do you think young people tell their condition to other people in their community? Do they talk openly about that topic?

Most young people will probably be advised to talk about their condition in their community to prevent social misunderstandings. During the last year, there has been an enormous increase in people on social media, who claim to have tics or Tourette syndrome, but actually do have functional tic-like symptoms. For these influencers, Tourette syndrome has become a big part of their life and identity, and some young people with Tourette syndrome feel attracted to these influencers and feel to be a part of an interesting online community. It is very important to distinguish these functional tic- and Tourette-like behaviors from tics as seen in Tourette syndrome, since both the cause and the treatment are different.

Do you feel that young people feel supported and understood in their community in regards to their condition?

It is important that young people learn about their diagnosis, so both themselves and their surroundings will have a greater knowledge about their condition and how to cope with it in daily life. Most persons with tics feel understood in their community.

How does this disorder affect their lives and daily activities – what challenges do young people face?

Most patients with tics can live a very normal life despite their tics. Tics normally decline with age and many young people learn to suppress their tics in certain circumstances, so they are not bothered by their tics in daily activities.

Have the pandemic (and lockdown) affected and still affect their lives? If so, in what way?

In several countries in Europe, USA and Canada, a significant increase in young (mostly female) people with functional tic-like symptoms has been seen during the pandemic and lockdown. This might be due to psychosocial stress caused by lockdown and pandemic, and due to the increased focus on (functional) tics on social media.

It is very important for these young persons to be diagnosed correctly in order for them to get the right support and treatment. Regarding Tourette syndrome, tics often increase during stress. Hence, the pandemic may have increased tics in those people with Tourette syndrome who felt stressed. However, some children enjoyed home schooling and their tics may have decreased.

Do you believe that young people with Tourette syndrome are integrated into the school / work environment? Do you think they face any kind of discrimination based on their condition (in public places, at school / university, in the workplace)? If yes, please share how.

Most people with Tourette syndrome do not face any troubles integrating into the work/school environment.

Do you think that the government of your country, or the country in which you currently live, has a good response and strategy for the inclusion and integration of people with neurological disability? Why yes/no?

The government ensures people with neurological disabilities get the support they need.

What are your hopes, fears, or expectations for the future?

It is important to be aware of the condition Tourette syndrome that often is underdiagnosed and underrecognized. On the other hand, a wrong image of Tourette syndrome is often created on social media. It is important to diagnose Tourette syndrome correctly in order to help young people with tics in the right way.

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Disability Awareness Campaign: Epilepsy Awareness Week ../../../2021/06/12/disability-awareness-campaign-epilepsy-awareness-week/ Sat, 12 Jun 2021 09:57:44 +0000 ../../../?p=43028 On the occasion of Epilepsy Awareness Week from 18th till 24th of May and as a part of “Disability Awareness Campaign ”, SEWG (social equity working group) of AEGEE Europe has decided to contribute to making the marginalised voice of our society heard. We are presenting you the interview with Lorraine Lally, a young person with epilepsy, who is also… Read more →

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On the occasion of Epilepsy Awareness Week from 18th till 24th of May and as a part of “Disability Awareness Campaign ”, SEWG (social equity working group) of AEGEE Europe has decided to contribute to making the marginalised voice of our society heard. We are presenting you the interview with Lorraine Lally, a young person with epilepsy, who is also a Co-chair of Youth Team in International Bureau for Epilepsy. 

If you need to define Epilepsy, how would you simply describe it?  

Epilepsy is the most common neurological condition. It is like an electrical storm in the brain and your brain is overloaded and restarts as a result of having a chain reaction which affects all the nerves in the body. Epilepsy can cause a disruption in the normal activity of the brain and it can involve behaviour that is uncontrolled and not remembered.

What is important, in your opinion, for people to know about young people with Epilepsy?

Be kind and respectful of their life with the condition. Don’t restrict them when having a seizure. Maintain and care for their head and try and prevent injury to the head. A young person with epilepsy may find it hard to talk about the condition. It is important to ask them about their own seizures and if there is anything that you can do to support them.  Seizures are very individual and the needs of each young person is different.  Some young people feel shame with epilepsy and they may have parents who discourage them from informing others of their epilepsy.  Having seizures is frightening for young people so reassure them that everything will be fine.

Do you think that people should be more aware of this disorder, which is also considered a neurological disability? If so, how and in which (professional, personal, social) areas?

Definitely should be considered a disability. Epilepsy should be considered a disability in all areas of society including public transport, employment, education and access to services.

As a person with epilepsy it took time to accept that I had a lifelong condition that was unpredictable and until this day it is still uncontrolled. There should be a human rights based approach in dealing with people with epilepsy and all disabilities. 

As a woman with epilepsy there are issues that I in fact as well feel are often underrepresented. Some of the young people like myself the seizure were worse once I started menstruating and self confidence is an issue. People should be more aware of the condition in all areas of society such as education, employment and social inclusion. The stigma surrounding epilepsy can limit the opportunities that are available to young people and it is a cruel reality on top of a neurological condition that we have no control over.

At times I speak with others who are visually impaired ,deaf,wheelchair bound and they feel for me with the epilepsy being uncontrolled and ask me how I manage the stress of living with the uncertainty.

Do you think young people tell their condition to people in their community? Do they talk openly about that topic?

No they do not speak openly they do not want to be limited or placed in a particular category in the community.  My mother told me as a child not to discuss the condition and not to mention it.  My mother wanted people to see my abilities and my personality, not my epilepsy.

As a young person you do not discuss the topic. I have been in contact with many young people who tell me they want good friends and they want a normal social life and both seem out of reach with epilepsy. I was bullied as a child and then I made good friends who were kind to me and showed me that I had nothing to be ashamed of with epilepsy. A part of me felt as if the epilepsy was a punishment for something I did not do. I had a problem with my brain and it was going to be there forever. The anger that you feel is common and the resentment for all the medical professionals who never really understand the social disadvantage.

Do you feel that young people feel supported and understood in their community given their condition?

The stigma around epilepsy is real. The fear is that no one will be your friend, invite you to the party,  no one will  love you, hold you, want you, and if they do like you how will they react to the epilepsy and they look at you and say it’s fine but they look terrified which I understand. If you add hospital visits to that it can be too much to explain and then you are forever labelled as the girl with epilepsy. 

There is a part of you as a young person that wants to pretend you don’t have a neurological condition and you want to stay on the dance floor for as long as you can with your friends. The impact of peer pressure is social and the move away from the family structure is all relevant to people not transitioning.  I know people with epilepsy who have been robbed while having a seizure and another person who had a seizure and then found that the young men in the room put the video online. The condition is not accepted and there is often a reaction that you cannot predict. The truth is that people only care about those with epilepsy if they are known to them.

How does this disorder affect their lives and daily activities – what challenges do young people face?

 Being in a relationship with another person, a loving and sexual relationship is an issue. Personally I have given a boyfriend a black eye. I get seizures in my sleep. Luckily as an Irish person we took humour from it with him bragging he was so good he caused a seizure. This is a challenge as a healthy sexual relationship is a basic need and often an area of worry and the concern for young people.

I have spoken with young men with epilepsy who sometimes have seizures after sex and ask if there is somewhere they can talk to someone. The fact is that my nocturnal seizures are beyond my control. At present we don’t sleep together in the same bed in my house but it was an area that had an impact.

Another friend of mine from another Eastern European State never told her husband about her epilepsy as her mother told her not to. She was 8 years seizure free and now they are trying to have a baby so she is on Sodium Valproate. She was asking me how to proceed and she is now changing medication and having seizures and trying to conceive.  She is 25 years old.  Personally I am self employed due to my epilepsy as my condition is not under control.  As a young person there are clear barriers to employment and to obtaining a job where there may be a medical assessment required.  There is a practice of putting some people under pressure and employers are sometimes cruel in their treatment of persons with epilepsy. The mental health issues from the side effects of medication and the social isolation are serious for young people. Many of the AEDs cause depression and anxiety so the young person is trying to move on and progress in society with all the other pressures and then finds they are overeating or depressed as well as having epilepsy. Neurologists have seen the research on the large numbers of young people struggling with depression and they often don’t explain the impact of the treatment fully to the young person.

Have the pandemic (and lockdown) affected and still affect their lives? If so, in what way?

 A massive increase in social isolation is very clear. We are currently doing online support group meetings and the attendance has increased 4 fold over Covid -19 /Pandemic.  The social stigma and shame that people feel is limiting their opportunities in having some social interaction.  There is a desperate loneliness for those living alone with epilepsy or even for a young person who is being cared for by family members.

The mental health issues that are a normal part of epilepsy and the side effects of the medication is made worse by the social limitations of lockdown.  I know many who have gone to the doctor for anti-anxiety meds and antidepressants. The social isolation and the stress of lockdown has made a lifelong condition worse. The lockdown has also meant that the consultations with the neurologist were on the phone or online and they were not able to conduct a neurological assessment then the medication reviews are limited by a lack of blood work as well.

Do you believe that young people with epilepsy are integrated into the school / work environment? Do you think they face any kind of discrimination based on their condition (in public places, at school / university, in the workplace)? If yes, please share how.

No If you leave home and go to University like I did, I ended up with a neurologist in Dublin after I collapsed in the library and a staff member took care of me. Then I ended up by chance with the 2nd best neurologist in Ireland. With the introduction of the GDPR regulations most States have to ask the person as an adult if they want to use the adult service. If they are stable and the medication is working they don’t use services.  

I believe that if I was not a self employed person that I would not be able to gain employment as a result of the epilepsy. I have assisted hundred of people with epilepsy with workplace discrimination and for others they cannot obtain an interview. The nature of epilepsy is that employers are nervous of injuries from seizures and the risks to others in the workplace. The excuse of medical examinations and the insurance issues are always raised in defence of not hiring someone.  Education was not easy. I did not inform those in the institutions that I had seizures, instead I collapsed in lecture halls and dealt with it afterwards. They always treated you differently after it and you were uncertain what to tell them.

Do you think that the government of your country, or the country in which you currently live, has a good response and strategy for the inclusion and integration of people with neurological disability? Why yes/no?

No, there is no real integration. The State takes a medical model approach to dealing with epilepsy. There are insurance issues with persons with epilepsy.

There is an issue with the training given to staff in schools to support a child who needs medication during school time. We are working on policies and the renewed policies on access for women with disabilities has given me hope that the situation will improve. The neurological situation in Ireland is appalling. We currently have 725 consultant vacancies so we have a shortage of consultants and neurologists.

The public system is disadvantaged and you can get access to. treatment and diagnostic equipment and tests if you have the money to pay privately for the access to services.  The current social policies are inadequate in providing services for persons with epilepsy.

What are your hopes, fears, or expectations for the future?

Hopes:

•        Supported integration in primary school and progressive educational opportunities for those from 5years to 23 years.

•        Employment opportunities supported by State employers and encouragement for the private companies to hire persons with epilepsy.

•        Equal access to medical services for all persons from birth to death and that those with the most need would be seen first within the health system.

Fears:

•        The cost would prevent proper access and  provision of educational and medical services.

•        That more adults would be socially isolated and denied the opportunity to enter the workplace.

•        That those with epilepsy would be discriminated against in obtaining education and training and therefore be a victim of a neurological condition that they cannot change. 

Expectations:

•        To respect human rights and to realise that human dignity should be respected at all times.

•        That others would learn and support those with epilepsy if they saw the stigma and the loneliness that we live with when having seizures.

•        That I will live a long life and see the world evolve and change to include and care for all persons equally with compassion and understanding.

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Zero Waste Approach ../../../2021/06/08/zero-waste-approach/ Tue, 08 Jun 2021 17:11:27 +0000 ../../../?p=43018 The Zero Waste Approach points at the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health. The amount of waste generated per year is estimated at around 2.2 billion tonnes worldwide. It is… Read more →

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The Zero Waste Approach points at the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.

The amount of waste generated per year is estimated at around 2.2 billion tonnes worldwide. It is mainly composed of packaging from food and beverages, which usually end up in a landfill since many types of them have a non-degradable nature or they degrade too slowly, such as some plastic bottle types, for instance, that can take as long as 450 years. The actual way of thinking rests on the idea that the world has infinite resources, but it is just a myth, so there must be a change in the culture about production, consumption and disposal patterns.

Action in this sector needs to be taken, indeed, according to the International Solid Waste Association, it is estimated that the waste sector could cut 10 to 15% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions globally if waste management actions, including disposal, recycling, composting and treatment, are considered. Furthermore, if a reduced waste approach is considered, the sector could reduce up to 20% its carbon footprint. To achieve these results, The Zero Waste Approach is the answer.

The Zero Waste Approach is a philosophy that tries to encourage a lifestyle that assures the reuse of products and materials, rather than ending up in landfills. It is inspired by nature, where nothing is wasted but everything is a resource. Recycling is part of this approach, but it is the last chance, instead, the main aspect is reuse. It goes from the design and production processes to rethinking the purchase decisions we make and evaluating if what we are consuming will become a waste or not. The overall goal is to hold materials in circulation for as long as possible, by ensuring various valuable lifecycles. Instead of discarding resources, the point is to create a system whereby all of them can be reused again.

Community education and public debate are requisite for the success of any intention to go toward the Zero Waste Approach. Citizens must be invited to take care of waste-free practices and take active participation in the management system thinking towards waste reduction. Public education campaigns to boost public participation must be engaged, and they need to be well resourced and sustained over time.

That is what happened in Japan where A great example of the implementation of this approach is presented by Kamikatsu, a small village of Tokushima prefecture located in southwestern part of the country. It was the first in the country to make a ‘Zero Waste Declaration’ in 2003 born with the support of the Japanese Zero Waste Academy. The Zero Waste project was expected to achieve 100% recycling of the waste produced by the 1500 inhabitants of the village by 2020. To date, 81% of urban waste is recovered which reaches only 20% at the national level, but the final goal remains to completely abandon the use of its two small incinerators. The village was forced to change the way it managed its waste when a strict new law on dioxin emissions forced it to shut down the incinerators.

The active participation of the citizens of Kamikatsu is essential. Indeed, every day the residents are called to separate their waste, selecting the organic materials to be used for composting, washing, and drying the rest of the waste to be then taken to the Zero Waste Center, a sort of ecological island with 45 different containers divided into 13 types.

Reuse is also encouraged: a small emporium has been set up in the village where citizens can exchange objects and tools that they no longer use for lottery tickets.

By Kamikatsu example, several other cities in Japan and worldwide now have ambitious waste goals. In 2018, 23 cities and regions signed C40 Cities’ Advancing Towards Zero Waste Declaration. They pledged to cut the amount of waste generated by each citizen 15 per cent by 2030, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills and incineration by 50 percent and increase the diversion rate to 70 per cent by 2030.

This approach is mainly linked to the circular economy concept that will be the future of the economic system. Indeed, it has the potential to generate many more jobs and enterprises to deal with the reuse and recycling of the resources that are a precondition for a sustainable habitat for humans on this planet.

Moreover, this way has an important result on the management of energy flows in the economy. In the life cycle of most products, the most energy-intensive processes are the extraction, production and use phase. Consequently, from an energy point of view zero waste reduces emissions associated with extraction and production thanks to supplying back most by-products and resources back into the natural cycle –soils- or technical cycle -reuse and recycling-. The emissions associated with the use phase are reduced with better product design and eco-innovation.

Source:

https://zwa.jp/en

https://www.smartcitiesworld.net/special-reports/special-reports/small-things-add-up-the-japanese-town-leading-the-zero-waste-charge

https://c40-production-images.s3.amazonaws.com/other_uploads/images/1851_Zero_Waste_declaration_FINAL_5July.original.pdf?1530818554

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/20/no-waste-japanese-village-is-a-peek-into-carbon-neutral-future

https://greenbusinessbureau.com/blog/what-does-zero-waste-really-mean

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Disability Awareness Campaign: MS Awareness Week ../../../2021/04/30/disability-awareness-campaign-ms-awareness-week/ Fri, 30 Apr 2021 12:02:10 +0000 ../../../?p=42976 Dr. Vasiliki Garopoulou M.Sc.’s., Ph.D., P.D. is an Adapted Physical Exercise & Sport Science Educator and Neurorehabilitation & Medical Exercise Specialist. She holds 2 Post-Doc degrees, 2 Postgraduate Diplomas from A.U.Th Neurosciences Medical School, 2 postgraduate – vocational training certificates abroad. She also has a PhD in the Laboratory of Developmental Medicine & Special Needs Education in collaboration with the… Read more →

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Dr. Vasiliki Garopoulou M.Sc.’s., Ph.D., P.D. is an Adapted Physical Exercise & Sport Science Educator and Neurorehabilitation & Medical Exercise Specialist. She holds 2 Post-Doc degrees, 2 Postgraduate Diplomas from A.U.Th Neurosciences Medical School, 2 postgraduate – vocational training certificates abroad. She also has a PhD in the Laboratory of Developmental Medicine & Special Needs Education in collaboration with the 2nd Neurology Dept. of AHEPA – A.U.Th Medical School. Currently she is working on her 3rd Post-Doc research at the A.U.Th Medical School and serves as Scientific collaborator at the 1st Neurology Dept. of AHEPA and Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (Alzheimer Hellas). In this interview, she speaks about her experience withMultiple Sclerosis (MS)

If you need to define Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as a disability, how would you simply describe it? (What is your definition for MS?)

MS can be described as a multidimensional disability affecting many aspects of our daily lives not only physical but also mental, psychological, emotional and social not that easily manageable but can surely be easier than other neurological conditions, with or without some kind of disability. Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be a very isolating disease. Losing the ability to walk has the potential to make those of us living with MS feel even more isolated. I know from personal experience that it’s incredibly difficult to accept when you need to start using a mobility aid like a cane, walker, or wheelchair.

When were you diagnosed, how did you feel (or your family) and how your life has changed from that moment forward?

Actually, I had a feeling that my diagnosis would be MS judging by the symptoms and the fact that I had already started studying and working with MS patients as a physical trainer at that point, although the realization of being a person with MS initially shocked me and then my family. My parents were devastated but overcame the initial shock and strong as they are, calmly stood by me and still are of course. The way my life changed from that point forward was unpredictable, as MS is unpredictable and affected me physically more than anything.

What is important, in your opinion, for people to know about you – young people with MS?

 When I was diagnosed I was an Olympic level athlete and on my journey for my academic career. My diagnosis was a really tough one and the prediction at that point in time, with limited (compared to today) scientific knowledge and medical treatment options ,was grim. Despite that I never gave up on my dreams and the goals I had set and kept pushing forward. The years to come where not easier but harder and my physical condition worsened, but I still kept moving forward. When you are young and determined as I was, you strive as long as you don’t give up!

Do you think that there should be more awareness for your disability, which is also considered a neurological disability? If so, how and in which areas (professional, personal, social)?

 People should be aware of all kinds of disability and reasons behind the disability, not especially for neurological derived ones and of course in every area of life. In a working environment being aware of one’s neurological disability can only bring ease to the individual because the management can better assign the proper tasks the individual can handle depending on the disability. Same goes on the individuals’ personal and social life. Awareness of one’s problem by the people around you can only be considered a benefit.

Do people around you know about your disability? As a young person do you talk openly about that (Do you prefer to tell them)? How did your disability influence your social life?

Well my disability is to an extent that I need to use an electric mobility scooter all day so its clearly visible to those around me that I have a disability but even if my physical condition was best I would still talk openly about my condition should a need arise, MS is a condition that people should be aware of and have knowledge about.

Do you feel supported and understood in your community in regard to your condition?

Truth be told I do not feel understood and supported from my community, starting from the families in the block or flats I live in, to the wider neighborhood up to the city and country I live in. In the building I currently live for example taking aside the discrimination I’m experiencing for my physical disability, there are practical issues that are not addressed. I am forced to enter the building from the garage door and then another internal door that is small and always double locked because the people in the building won’t allow me to make a ramp or even have a portable to ease my access to my house. One argument after another, I’m getting bullied all the time and ultimately I am forced to juggle my way into the building and that is but a small example of the real situation that escalates to the wider community.

How does MS affect your life and everyday activities – what are the challenges that you face?

One of the main symptoms of MS is the increased fatigue a patient has, so everyday activities become 5-7 times more tiring, limiting greatly what can actually be done throughout a single day. Another factor to be taken into consideration is the temperature sensitivity a patient has, getting hot increases greatly other symptoms whereas getting cold increases spasticity and involuntary muscle movement resulting in pain, fatigue, dizziness, short sight etc even if that means 2-3 degrees. As you can imagine those are just a few yet really important things to consider daily.

Has the pandemic (Covid-19 and quarantine) affected, and is still affecting your life? If yes, in what way?

To put it in a simple answer, yes, this whole situation has affected my life greatly. The fact that gyms, fitness centers, swimming pools are closed and going out of the house by itself has become tedious has made me narrow my physical exercise options to minimum. Also the high contagiousness of the virus limited greatly the number of people I interacted with making physical therapy really impossible and both exercise and physical therapy are crucial to my well-being.

Do you believe that you and young people in general are integrated enough into the school/ work environment? Do you face any type of discrimination based on your condition at public places, school/university, workplace, sports? If yes, please share in what way.

Unfortunately in the country I live in the discrimination is existant and people with any type of “different” features are stigmatized badly, becoming more and more traumatizing to young people, starting form the early years of school. Poor education in schools, prejudice and fear is reflected upon youngsters with any form of disability forcing them to feel cast outs of society. In workplaces both people with disabilities tend to hide their special condition in order to keep their jobs, making their everyday routines even harder, or altogether avoid finding a job due to fear of rejection and poor self esteem ,not to mention managements and supervisors got to as far as firing or mistreating people with disabilities. There is some kind of better understanding in sports with many clubs having disability-adjusted sports departments but don’t have as many athletes as they could due to all the reasons stated above,not to mention parents and legal guardians manipulating and exploiting all the benefits and success a person with disability might have.

Do you believe that the government of your country has a good response and strategy for the inclusion and integration of people with neurological disabilities?

Unfortunately only in the last 10 years has there been the public interest by the government and social care about people with neurological disabilities. Mostly in terms of financial benefits and a narrow range of social services. The healthcare system though is better organized and with doctors having the knowledge and the tools to work with patients, the situation looks better.

What are your hopes, fears, or expectations for the future?

My personal case regarding MS has been rough and with all odds against a “good” prediction but being  a logical and realistic person makes me both fear and hope simultaneously, I fear the very real possibility that my condition will get worse and I hope that this won’t happen as well because I do whatever is within by power to protect myself. I don’t stand idle and wait for things to happen that’s why I keep my spirit and my expectations up and try my best.

Do you have a personal philosophy that has helped you to move forward in tough times?

The most important is to never give up on your life and your life goals and keep on pressing forward. A diagnosis like MS shouldn’t clip your wings but you must adapt to the new situation and the new normality. Also, you need to take care of yourself and pay more attention to details, not only to maintain high levels of energy but ultimately a good quality of life. Living in Greece and using an electric mobility scooter, one of my greatest challenge is to move freely around my neighborhood and being able to perform everyday tasks like going shopping, not only because of the non-existent road and pavement accessibility but for the stores as well. Lastly, I didn’t let fear get the best of me. Without my wheelchair scooter, I never would have had the independence to live in my own home, earn my degrees, travel a lot, and marry Odysseus, the man of my dreams. We fell in love, got married in 2016, and have been living happily ever after. Odysseus has never known me to walk and wasn’t scared off by my wheelchair scooter. Here’s something we’ve talked about that’s important to remember: Likewise, he sees ME, not my scooter. Scooter is just what I need to move around better and live together a quality life despite my disease.

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Eyes from space to monitor climate change ../../../2021/04/19/eyes-from-space-to-monitor-climate-change/ Mon, 19 Apr 2021 16:53:13 +0000 ../../../?p=42970 “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”, those are the words declared by María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the United Nations General Assembly at the COP 24 in Katowice (Poland), summarizing how essential satellites are for coping climate emergencies. A vast network of satellites links all the continents to each other by providing undiscussable services to society.… Read more →

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“If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”, those are the words declared by María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the United Nations General Assembly at the COP 24 in Katowice (Poland), summarizing how essential satellites are for coping climate emergencies.

A vast network of satellites links all the continents to each other by providing undiscussable services to society. Everything began when the first-ever artificial satellite, the Sputnik 1 was launched by the Soviet Union into space in 1957. Then, their usage had a remarkable impact on everyday life. Just thinking about the navigator used to move from one place to another one. They have made travelling more comfortable without having to lose orientation (and calm) on the maps. But there is another paramount role covered by satellites. Indeed, by means of this technology, society collects a huge amount of data regarding the climate system, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, without which scientists and decision-makers would not know how to cope with the climate emergency that humankind has been experiencing during the last decades.

Basically, the satellites are divided into two categories: geostationary (GEO) and polar-orbiting (LEO) type. The first one has a geostationary orbit at high altitudes, around 36,000 km, at the same rotation speed as the Earth, in order to remain above the same spot. In this way, satellites can continually monitor a particular zone uninterrupted, except for the polar regions due to the Earth’s curvature. The polar-orbiting satellites are located at low altitudes, between 400 and 1400 meters from the Earth’s surface. circling the globe once every 100 minutes. In this last case, it is possible to obtain images and measurements with a high spatial resolution but the continuous observation of a particular geographical place is not possible. The synergic usage of both types of satellites allows them to complete each other combining the worldwide coverage of the first one with the high resolution of the last one.

1959 saw the first weather satellite, called Vanguard II, thought to monitor the density of the atmosphere and the cloud covering. Since that moment, a lot of “climate satellites” have been populating the earth orbit, up to an updated number of 162 to date. These kinds of satellites are able to detect the global environment, also catching the most hidden and remote places or events not observable by human eyes. Depending on its final purpose, the satellite is equipped with a series of instruments that measure a wide range of parameters that are useful for analysing the current and/or future situation. For instance, temperature, wind speed and direction, water vapour and so on, are detected to provide weather forecasting regarding atmospheric phenomena, while ocean currents, sea level height are used to detect maritime ones. By using high-resolution satellite images, harvested during these decades of monitoring, it is also possible to check the trend about lands and forests taken away because of human or desertification as well.

Thanks to this technology, the major impacts of climate change can be tracked, such as the effect on the radiation balance of burning fossil fuels or the hole in the ozone layer. Indeed, satellites are ideal for detecting the level of the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as aerosols, water vapour, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane. An example is Ibuki, a Japanese satellite launched in 2009, which is the world’s first one specifically designed for observing greenhouse gases. It is a polar-orbiting satellite that can detect 56,000 points worldwide, providing the most overall view of the concentration of these gases so far. The following picture shows the smoke of wildfires in Russia on two occasions captured by Ibuki

The rapidity of the information provided by satellites was shown immediately after the actions of the various governments to cope with the spread of the coronavirus. Indeed, it has been possible to note how the stop of vehicle traffic has decreased the nitrogen dioxide levels overall the world (As shown in the picture below).

Another example happened in 2017 when the world map changed forever thanks to the breakaway of a huge iceberg from the Antarctica landmass. This event is a clear demonstration of the fast decline of the ice sheet volume and consequently the rising of the sea level. Compared to the 1980s, the ice sheet is disappearing six times faster.

In conclusion, nevertheless the high cost of these technologies, it is undiscussable how they allow mankind to better understand what happened, is happening and will happen around the world, in order to cope altogether, in the overall of the countries, the climate emergency that is affecting life. A description of the characteristics of a part of the satellites dedicated to this role is offered by Nasa at the following website:

https://climate.nasa.gov/nasa_science/missions/?page=0&per_page=40&order=title+asc&search=

Source:

●       https://ourworld.unu.edu/en/how-things-work-environmental-satellites

●       https://climate.nasa.gov/nasa_science/missions/?page=0&per_page=40&order=title+asc&search=

●       https://www.carbonbrief.org/interactive-satellites-used-monitor-climate-change

●       https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/Space_for_our_climate/Monitoring_climate_change_from_space2

●       https://www.geospatialworld.net/blogs/satellites-for-monitoring-climate-change/#:~:text=Copernicus%20Sentinel%2D5P%2C%20launched%20by,monitoring%20satellite%20in%20the%20world.&text=In%20January%202009%2C%20Japan%20launched,Gases%20Observing%20Satellite%20(GOSAT).

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Disability Awareness Campaign: World Autism Awareness Day ../../../2021/04/02/disability-awareness-campaign-world-autism-awareness-day/ Fri, 02 Apr 2021 11:26:09 +0000 ../../../?p=42959 On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the Social Equity Working Group of AEGEE Europe interviewed a kinesiologist (K) at Center for Autism, Zagreb, Croatia and a speech therapist (ST) at Special hospital for the protection of children with neurodevelopmental and motor disabilities, Croatia to learn more about the disability.  If you need to define Autism as a disorder,… Read more →

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On the occasion of World Autism Awareness Day, the Social Equity Working Group of AEGEE Europe interviewed a kinesiologist (K) at Center for Autism, Zagreb, Croatia and a speech therapist (ST) at Special hospital for the protection of children with neurodevelopmental and motor disabilities, Croatia to learn more about the disability. 

If you need to define Autism as a disorder, how would you simply describe it?

K: Autism is a developmental disorder, which means a disorder that occurs at a certain period in the child’s development, often slowing down normal development.

ST: Autism would be characterized as a permanent disorder of primarily social communication and interaction.

What is important, in your opinion, for people to know about young people with Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?

K: It is important for people to understand that people with autism understand the world around them differently and react that way. they are irrelevant to them and vice versa. They are not crazy or stupid they just have a different value system and priority.

ST: It is important to know that these are young people who have all the needs, requirements and desires as well as their peers, they just cannot express them in an adequate and usual way.

Do you think that people should be more aware of this disorder, which is also considered a neurological disability? If so, how and in which (professional, personal, social) areas?

K: Yes, it is absolutely necessary to include them with additional support in various areas, from education, local community, clubs to assisted employment. I would introduce compulsory volunteering for students.

ST: Certainly, the public should be made more aware of young people with autism in order to know how to properly approach them and to understand their needs.

Do you think young people tell their condition to people in their community? Do they talk openly about that topic?

K: Many do not know and cannot self-advocate. Their social life is mostly reduced to associations and socializing within the disorder. There is definitely a need for better education for all individuals in society with whom they come into contact: teachers in regular schools, doctors, coaches…

 ST: Absolutely that autism as a permanent disorder affects their position in society and they do not tell anyone about it, partly because they do not know how to express themselves, and partly because they do not expect to be understood. 

Do you feel that young people feel supported and understood in their community given their condition?

K: No, misunderstood and often segregated because of their “strange” behaviour. Unfortunately, deprived of basic rights such as treatment, education…

ST: I think they are poorly supported and understood in their community, but certainly better than 10, 20 years ago. 

How does this disorder affect their lives and daily activities – what challenges do young people face?

 K: They are mainly focused on families, associations (NGO working with them) and the school they attend.They are excluded from all general social activities.

 ST: Strongly affects their lives because they find it difficult to function in daily activities, not to mention permanent work.

Has the pandemic (and lockdown) affected and still affect their lives? If so, in what way?

K: Of course, as people with autism desperately need a daily routine to function well, many people are in regress due to the lack of activity they normally carry out which in a lockdown this was not possible.

ST: This covid situation has made their condition worse – they are more isolated than ever and their ability to go to therapies that help them function better in everyday situations has been reduced.

 Do you believe that they are integrated into the school / work environment? Do you think they face any kind of discrimination based on their condition (in public places, at school / university, in the workplace)? If yes, please share how.

 K: Yes, many are discriminated against due to lack of knowledge by the general population, because a lack of understanding of the disorder causes discomfort in people. Schools cannot cope with the difficulties of students, employers with special requirements of employees, coaches do not know how to include athletes… It turns out that it is easier for everyone to exclude this population.

ST: Recently, they have become more integrated into the school system, but still face discrimination in public places due to insufficient information of the population.

Do you think that the government of your country, or the country in which you currently live, has a good response and strategy for the inclusion and integration of people with neurological disability? Why yes/no?

K: Yes, the laws are well written but in practice they are often impossible to enforce.

ST: Our government does not have a good enough strategy. Let’s hope it works on it. 

What are your hopes, fears, or expectations for the future? 

K: I still hope that the future will be better for our “special” fellow citizens.

 ST: My fears are hopefully unjustified! 

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