Symbiosis-School of Political Studies, affiliated to the Council of Europe Network of Schools
Drawing upon collaborations in education, rights and non-discrimination since 2003 in the Balkans and Greece, Symβiosis was founded in May 2011 in Thessaloniki. Grounded on our common belief in the need for a new paradigm for global civics, citizenship and for more social inclusion and political participation opportunities, we have combined our skills and networks in order to define, promote and establish new forms of binding democratic participation in political processes, free of discrimination and exclusion; developing civic awareness on institutional practices regarding rights, based on the premise that practicing human rights protection equals democratic rule of law. Symβiosis focuses on information and education, freedom of expression, labour market inclusion, documentation and analysis, public debate and active civic participation, so that people and communities voice their needs and ideas. Symβiosis advocates for the political, social, and economic participation of migrants and marginalised communities at the local, national and European levels, and for the inclusion of marginalised groups in the public sphere; also participating in networks such as the Anna Lindh Foundation Network, the Fundamental Rights Platform of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency and the Thessaloniki Municipality Migrants' Integration Council. The Civic School for Political Studies in Greece, established by Symβiosis and the Council of Europe in 2014 and affiliated to the network of Council of Europe Schools of Political Studies, aims to foster exchange of ideas and know-how and to stimulate co-operation and dialogue among civil society, political parties, experts and media.
