The multistakeholder workshop “Between Inclusion and Exclusion – Living in Crete”, held on Thursday, 3 October 2024 at the Youth Centre of Heraklion Municipality, brought together migrants, local authorities, civil society actors, and community representatives to reflect on the everyday realities of living as a migrant in Crete. Organised by Symbiosis – Council of Europe School of Political Studies in Greece and the Heraklion Development Agency, the workshop began with the screening of the documentary trilogy “Parallelities”—The Candidate, Three Generations, and For Those to Come—which captured diverse migrant experiences across time and context. These stories provided a compelling starting point for an open exchange on the tensions between inclusion and exclusion in local society.
In the second part of the event, five migrants shared their personal reflections and experiences of life, touching on challenges related to education, employment, social rights, discrimination, and participation in public life. Their testimonies opened the floor for a wider dialogue, as the discussion then expanded to include contributions from the public, local officials, and community stakeholders. Participants explored civic and political engagement, particularly at the local level, and questioned the effectiveness of existing integration policies and structures. The workshop created a collaborative space for listening, co-learning, and proposing ways to strengthen inclusive practices, contributing to the shaping of more responsive and participatory local policies in Crete.
