TITLE:
A New Beginning in Portugal: Reflections on the Work Fulfilled by the Portuguese Red Cross Temporary Resettlement Centre on the Integration of Afghan Asylum Seekers
AUTHORS:
Dora Carolo, Ricardo Carvalho, Carolina Batalha, Susana Gouveia, Paula Lebre
KEYWORDS:
Asylum Seekers, Unaccompanied Minors, Integration, Portugal
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.11 No.11,
November
15,
2023
ABSTRACT: Afghans
constitute one of the largest refugee populations worldwide. Asylum seekers
and refugees leave their countries due to conflict,
violence, crises, persecution and human
rights violations, poverty, lack of essential services, food insecurity or disasters,
and the effects of climate change. Adolescents often migrate unaccompanied by a caregiver,
facing specific risks in this process. Middle East citizens make up a minor percentage of migrants
arriving in Portugal despite the growing numbers after 2016. Portugal is hosting
the fourth-highest number of Middle East and North Africa unaccompanied
minors among the EU Member States. Thus, starting the discussion and evaluating
integration strategies for this target group is imperative. Sport, artistic and
cultural activities have been highlighted by research
as peace development, social cohesion, and the rapeutical
tools. Also, mentoring is identified as a strategy with positive results for youth
at risk of developing psychological, social, and behavioural problems. Its application
targeting unaccompanied minors (UM) refugees and asylum seekers has gained momentum
in a growing number of EU countries receiving refugee citizens from the EU relocation
program. This paper aimed to present reflections on the implementing sports, cultural
and artistic initiatives as tools of social integration and health promotion within
a group of Afghan citizens arriving in Portugal under the international protection
law. The reflections and information provided in this publication have the potential
to inform Portuguese professionals, namely social education technicians collaborating
within the Portuguese refugee relocation program and encourage discussions about
the creation of community-based integration
programs for this target group.