In mid-May 2020, most people found themselves in a country with closed borders, closed schools and
businesses, and restricted freedom of movement. While the COVID-19 pandemic is considered as
one of the largest public health crises of the past hundred years and has triggered ‘unprecedented’
government responses (Cheibub et al. 2020), the measures implemented also exhibit significant
heterogeneity (Hale et al. 2020a). The Covid-19 pandemic is a social and an economic crisis just as
much as it is a health one – its repercussions, severe and far reaching, are being felt across the world.
From school closures to devastated industries and millions of jobs lost, the social and economic costs
of the pandemic are many and varied.
This project aims to ensure the participation of the target population in decision making processes,
whilst also recommending measures with a gender-based approach. The project would also like to
strengthen cooperation between civil society, citizens and decision makers that can mitigate many of
the challenges and improve the quality of life for the target group. The project objectives are as
follows:
● To undertake a gender-based research study, analysing the social and economic effects on vulnerable groups;
● To undertake a series of debates and seminars, focusing on the curtailment of fundamental rights on vulnerable groups;
● To raise awareness and actively counter disinformation, through a campaign, a publication and workshops focusing on media literacy.
Our activities will be geared towards empowering vulnerable groups like migrants, Roma and other
minorities with media literacy tools to counter disinformation, whilst also researching, discussing and
debating the social and economic repercussions brought on by the COVID-19 crisis to increase their
knowledge on Fundamental Rights.
The identified problems that will be tackled in this proposed project are:
● The widening gender-based inequalities because of the COVID-19 crisis;
● The curtailment of fundamental rights, especially with regards to minorities and other vulnerable groups;
● The proliferation of disinformation and its effect on democratic debate;
● The need for media literacy, with the help of experts.
The project will run for 18 months till April 2024. The project has 7 partners from: Malta (lead), Romania, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Work Packages
Work Package 1 – Research Preparation CCIF and its partners met in Bratislava, Slovakia for two day workshops Research Preparation
to establish the methodology of the research study; determining
methods, procedures, analysis and interpretation. The workshops started
by defining the research question and determining methods of data
collection to be used. This involved several decisions that needed to be
taken in order to come up with the best fit for all the targeted groups. The
overall decision involved the agreed approach to be used to collect data
and from which target groups. This Work Package was led by Babes
Bolyai University (UBB)who coordinated and designed the Research
Questionnaire after all partners had conferred on what UBB had proposed.
UBB will also be responsible for analysing and interpretation of the
research results. “The event took place on date 23-24 January 2023 with
the participation of 25 persons from 6 countries.”
Work Package 2 - Research study CCIF and its partners conducted a gender based research and a total number of 274 respondents, recruited by the project partners from the beneficiaries of their organizations answered one questionnaire regarding the impact of COVID-19 measures (described in the Report https://is.gd/fXXEgA . The respondents were referred to as vulnerable people, given their status in the country, their family situation, their ethnic or social background. With respect to their countries of birth, as part of the respondents were immigrants to the countries of residence, the sample was highly heterogeneous. Most participants were born in Slovenia (a number of 43 of the total number), Romania (33 of the total number), Slovakia (28 participants), Italy (20 participants), Portugal (a number of 19 participants), France (a number of 17 of the total number), Germany (a number of 13), Serbia (11 participants), Macedonia (8 participants), Colombia (7 participants), Timor-Leste (7 participants), Spain (6 participants), Martinique (5 participants), Zimbabwe (5 participants), Greece (4 participants), Poland (4 participants), 3 participants from: Bosnia, Brazil, Iraq, 2 participants from each of the following: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Malta, Syria, and one participant from the following countries of birth: Belgium, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Guadalupe, Haiti, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Reunion Island, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA.
Work Package 3 - Debates and Recommendations on Curtailed Liberties Amidst Covid Crisis Debates and Recommendations on Curtailed Liberties Amidst Covid Crisis Between March and April, 28 debates and discussions were held across 7 partner countries. More than 900 people from different backgrounds participated in these events that were held in various cities i.e Floriana, Marsa and Marsaxlokk in Malta, Bratislava in Slovakia, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Beja in Portugal, Palermo in Italy, Wuppertal in Germany, and Cluj Napoca in Romania. These events provided a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in meaningful conversations on a range of topics, share their thoughts, ideas, and solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing our societies today. DEBATE 1: Lack of possibilities of working and associated unemployment. This debate was focused on people’s lack of opportunities to work during the Pandemic. One of the freedoms that was curtailed was not only work, but also all that goes with work, not only in terms of income, but also in terms of having something to do in life and to give life a richer meaning. During the pandemic, though, many people finished up without a job to go to because of the lockdown that was imposed. In some parts of the world, civil society organizations have been able to close the gaps that their governments failed to fill and have dealt with the corona crisis creatively. During these debates, participants realized that job loss and business closures may be terrible for individuals and communities during times of economic crisis and health pandemics, therefore they made some of these recommendations. Recommendations Provide support to people who have lost jobs or their businesses, figure out fair system. Job training programs so where governments and organizations can also invest in job training programs to help individuals develop new skills and transition into new industries and also provide Income supplements so as to support the vulnerable in the society who are unable to sustain themselves during a crisis. Providing financial and other support for individuals and businesses affected by the measures, such as unemployment benefits, small business loans, and rent subsidies should be highly considered in times of crisis. The participants did agree, however, that by working together, we can build a society that is more inclusive and resilient and in which everyone has the chance to prevail regardless of the situation. Debate 2: Lack of educational opportunity. The lack of opportunities for education during Covid are associated with the closure of schools. This debate was focused on the implications of Covid on education, particularly its impact on the losing out of its formative aspects in children’s and adolescents’ socialization, and on its implications on their studies and their prospects for advancing themselves, including, at college and university levels. This debate was focused on how Covid has had an impact on education, focusing both on the closure and re-opening of schools, colleges and universities, and what implications it had for the children, their families, and other informal education agents, like youth clubs, sports clubs and activity clubs that children and possibly also older people attend. To address the issues of the lack of educational opportunities during future prospective crisis, a number of points and recommendations have been made by the participants. Recommendations The participants encouraged that governments and organizations need to invest in technological infrastructure that can ensure remote learning access, and provide teachers training and resources for remote learning, offer flexible schedules and accommodations for students with disabilities, and deal with the psychological effects of the pandemic on students. Furthermore, they recommended that in order to ensure that all students have access to the finest educational opportunities and study resources, educational institutions should adapt quickly in terms of syllabuses, as is supporting students’ mental wellbeing by offering free psychological services. The pandemic has brought to light the value of public education and the necessity for increased funding for educational systems to guarantee that all pupils have access to an equal education especially during situations like Covid-19. Debate 3: Harsh measures that restrict people’s freedom. During the COVID 19 pandemic some countries executed harsh measures against people protesting against Covid regulations. This debate was focused on exploring if the measures to curb the pandemic have also been abused to undermine democracy and put people who disagree with the state including human rights activists and certain journalists with voices that dissented with those of governments under pressure. As a result, they put forth a number of recommendations to address the difficulties experienced by diverse groups in an effort to build a society that is more just and equitable. Recommendations Protecting of civil liberties governments can ensure that measures are necessary, proportionate, and time-limited, and do not unnecessarily restrict civil liberties. A lot of young people now experience depression and anxiety as a result of the pandemic, which has had a negative impact on mental health. To assist people in overcoming the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, it’s critical to offer emotional support, such as counseling services or a secure environment in which to express feelings. Debate 4: Closed Borders and Travel Restrictions. Closed borders are always traumatic to those wishing to travel for whatever reason. Travel restrictions have been implemented previously, although to a more limited extent. This has had implications for refugees, asylum seekers, students, migrant workers, pilgrims, travelers, domestic workers, textile merchants and migrants who have travelled abroad to get medical assistance have found themselves stranded and destitute at airports, at or between land border entry points, and at sea without means to return to their home country. This debate was focused on exploring how closed borders and travel restrictions impacted vulnerable people and citizens. The participants expressed their ideas after pointing out that the effects of these measures on people and communities cannot be ignored. Therefore, offered these recommendations. Recommendations The participants noted that it is difficult to witness scenes of boats with migrants stopped for months at sea using the health emergency as an excuse therefore, the governments should make laws and or restrictions that are humane. Governments should refrain from implementing coercive measures that restrict people’s freedom of movement and enacting laws that necessitate restricted individual freedoms as an act of tyranny, instead, laws should be made to safeguard both individual freedoms and the public’s health. Support for affected individuals and businesses by the governments should be a priority. Young youth who participated in the debates recommended that in future swab tests for young people should made be appropriate for young people. The participants did agree that as we navigate through these challenging times, working together to build a society that is more just and equitable for all should be a priority.
Work Package 4 - Fundemental Rights Seminars The consortium held two seminars each focusing on fundamental rights focusing on two topics: Access to information and gender inequalities during covid-19 pandemic.It was generally agreed that, it is important to recognize that ensuring access to real information is an ongoing process. As the Covid-19 pandemic evolves and new information becomes available, it is important to continue to provide clear, accurate, and up-to-date information to the public. This requires collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders, including health organizations, governments, and media outlets, in order to promote a culture of transparency and trustworthiness. Addressing gender inequalities during the Covid-19 crisis required a multi-faceted approach that involves promoting economic support for women, addressing the digital divide, promoting women’s leadership, addressing gender-based violence, addressing the care burden, and collecting gender-disaggregated data. By implementing these solutions, governments and other stakeholders can work towards a more equitable and gender-sensitive response to the pandemic. Quite a number of men pointed out that men felt more exposed to the risk of contracting the virus and passing it on to their families as most of them worked in services that were deemed critical such as emergency responders, food couriers, construction workers and care givers etc. Some men suffered psychological manipulation by women leading to depression. Women, especially those who worked in the informal sector had less access to social protections and majority of them were single parent households, making them more vulnerable during the pandemic and no recourse to social assistance given by the government. Women cited that there was no privacy in hospitals due to the pandemic as men and women shared the same space due to isolation rules. Some women became victims of domestic violence and given the situation they were forced to live under one roof with their abusers due to isolations restrictions and regulations. From the many recommendations forwarded below is a sample of a few that we picked for this summary: Recommendations Collecting gender-disaggregated data: Governments and other stakeholders should collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data to better understand the gendered impacts of the pandemic and develop effective policies and interventions…
Work Package 5 Kindly remain attentive to this designated page for upcoming revelations.
In mid-May 2020, most people found themselves in a country with closed borders, closed schools and
businesses, and restricted freedom of movement. While the COVID-19 pandemic is considered as
one of the largest public health crises of the past hundred years and has triggered ‘unprecedented’
government responses (Cheibub et al. 2020), the measures implemented also exhibit significant
heterogeneity (Hale et al. 2020a). The Covid-19 pandemic is a social and an economic crisis just as
much as it is a health one – its repercussions, severe and far reaching, are being felt across the world.
From school closures to devastated industries and millions of jobs lost, the social and economic costs
of the pandemic are many and varied.
This project aims to ensure the participation of the target population in decision making processes,
whilst also recommending measures with a gender-based approach. The project would also like to
strengthen cooperation between civil society, citizens and decision makers that can mitigate many of
the challenges and improve the quality of life for the target group. The project objectives are as
follows:
● To undertake a gender-based research study, analysing the social and economic effects on vulnerable groups;
● To undertake a series of debates and seminars, focusing on the curtailment of fundamental rights on vulnerable groups;
● To raise awareness and actively counter disinformation, through a campaign, a publication and workshops focusing on media literacy.
Our activities will be geared towards empowering vulnerable groups like migrants, Roma and other
minorities with media literacy tools to counter disinformation, whilst also researching, discussing and
debating the social and economic repercussions brought on by the COVID-19 crisis to increase their
knowledge on Fundamental Rights.
The identified problems that will be tackled in this proposed project are:
● The widening gender-based inequalities because of the COVID-19 crisis;
● The curtailment of fundamental rights, especially with regards to minorities and other vulnerable groups;
● The proliferation of disinformation and its effect on democratic debate;
● The need for media literacy, with the help of experts.
The project will run for 18 months till April 2024. The project has 7 partners from: Malta (lead), Romania, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Work Packages
Work Package 1 – Research Preparation CCIF and its partners met in Bratislava, Slovakia for two day workshops Research Preparation
to establish the methodology of the research study; determining
methods, procedures, analysis and interpretation. The workshops started
by defining the research question and determining methods of data
collection to be used. This involved several decisions that needed to be
taken in order to come up with the best fit for all the targeted groups. The
overall decision involved the agreed approach to be used to collect data
and from which target groups. This Work Package was led by Babes
Bolyai University (UBB)who coordinated and designed the Research
Questionnaire after all partners had conferred on what UBB had proposed.
UBB will also be responsible for analysing and interpretation of the
research results. “The event took place on date 23-24 January 2023 with
the participation of 25 persons from 6 countries.”
Work Package 2 - Research study CCIF and its partners conducted a gender based research and a total number of 274 respondents, recruited by the project partners from the beneficiaries of their organizations answered one questionnaire regarding the impact of COVID-19 measures (described in the Report https://is.gd/fXXEgA . The respondents were referred to as vulnerable people, given their status in the country, their family situation, their ethnic or social background. With respect to their countries of birth, as part of the respondents were immigrants to the countries of residence, the sample was highly heterogeneous. Most participants were born in Slovenia (a number of 43 of the total number), Romania (33 of the total number), Slovakia (28 participants), Italy (20 participants), Portugal (a number of 19 participants), France (a number of 17 of the total number), Germany (a number of 13), Serbia (11 participants), Macedonia (8 participants), Colombia (7 participants), Timor-Leste (7 participants), Spain (6 participants), Martinique (5 participants), Zimbabwe (5 participants), Greece (4 participants), Poland (4 participants), 3 participants from: Bosnia, Brazil, Iraq, 2 participants from each of the following: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Malta, Syria, and one participant from the following countries of birth: Belgium, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Guadalupe, Haiti, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Reunion Island, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA.
Work Package 3 - Debates and Recommendations on Curtailed Liberties Amidst Covid Crisis Debates and Recommendations on Curtailed Liberties Amidst Covid Crisis Between March and April, 28 debates and discussions were held across 7 partner countries. More than 900 people from different backgrounds participated in these events that were held in various cities i.e Floriana, Marsa and Marsaxlokk in Malta, Bratislava in Slovakia, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Beja in Portugal, Palermo in Italy, Wuppertal in Germany, and Cluj Napoca in Romania. These events provided a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in meaningful conversations on a range of topics, share their thoughts, ideas, and solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing our societies today. DEBATE 1: Lack of possibilities of working and associated unemployment. This debate was focused on people’s lack of opportunities to work during the Pandemic. One of the freedoms that was curtailed was not only work, but also all that goes with work, not only in terms of income, but also in terms of having something to do in life and to give life a richer meaning. During the pandemic, though, many people finished up without a job to go to because of the lockdown that was imposed. In some parts of the world, civil society organizations have been able to close the gaps that their governments failed to fill and have dealt with the corona crisis creatively. During these debates, participants realized that job loss and business closures may be terrible for individuals and communities during times of economic crisis and health pandemics, therefore they made some of these recommendations. Recommendations Provide support to people who have lost jobs or their businesses, figure out fair system. Job training programs so where governments and organizations can also invest in job training programs to help individuals develop new skills and transition into new industries and also provide Income supplements so as to support the vulnerable in the society who are unable to sustain themselves during a crisis. Providing financial and other support for individuals and businesses affected by the measures, such as unemployment benefits, small business loans, and rent subsidies should be highly considered in times of crisis. The participants did agree, however, that by working together, we can build a society that is more inclusive and resilient and in which everyone has the chance to prevail regardless of the situation. Debate 2: Lack of educational opportunity. The lack of opportunities for education during Covid are associated with the closure of schools. This debate was focused on the implications of Covid on education, particularly its impact on the losing out of its formative aspects in children’s and adolescents’ socialization, and on its implications on their studies and their prospects for advancing themselves, including, at college and university levels. This debate was focused on how Covid has had an impact on education, focusing both on the closure and re-opening of schools, colleges and universities, and what implications it had for the children, their families, and other informal education agents, like youth clubs, sports clubs and activity clubs that children and possibly also older people attend. To address the issues of the lack of educational opportunities during future prospective crisis, a number of points and recommendations have been made by the participants. Recommendations The participants encouraged that governments and organizations need to invest in technological infrastructure that can ensure remote learning access, and provide teachers training and resources for remote learning, offer flexible schedules and accommodations for students with disabilities, and deal with the psychological effects of the pandemic on students. Furthermore, they recommended that in order to ensure that all students have access to the finest educational opportunities and study resources, educational institutions should adapt quickly in terms of syllabuses, as is supporting students’ mental wellbeing by offering free psychological services. The pandemic has brought to light the value of public education and the necessity for increased funding for educational systems to guarantee that all pupils have access to an equal education especially during situations like Covid-19. Debate 3: Harsh measures that restrict people’s freedom. During the COVID 19 pandemic some countries executed harsh measures against people protesting against Covid regulations. This debate was focused on exploring if the measures to curb the pandemic have also been abused to undermine democracy and put people who disagree with the state including human rights activists and certain journalists with voices that dissented with those of governments under pressure. As a result, they put forth a number of recommendations to address the difficulties experienced by diverse groups in an effort to build a society that is more just and equitable. Recommendations Protecting of civil liberties governments can ensure that measures are necessary, proportionate, and time-limited, and do not unnecessarily restrict civil liberties. A lot of young people now experience depression and anxiety as a result of the pandemic, which has had a negative impact on mental health. To assist people in overcoming the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, it’s critical to offer emotional support, such as counseling services or a secure environment in which to express feelings. Debate 4: Closed Borders and Travel Restrictions. Closed borders are always traumatic to those wishing to travel for whatever reason. Travel restrictions have been implemented previously, although to a more limited extent. This has had implications for refugees, asylum seekers, students, migrant workers, pilgrims, travelers, domestic workers, textile merchants and migrants who have travelled abroad to get medical assistance have found themselves stranded and destitute at airports, at or between land border entry points, and at sea without means to return to their home country. This debate was focused on exploring how closed borders and travel restrictions impacted vulnerable people and citizens. The participants expressed their ideas after pointing out that the effects of these measures on people and communities cannot be ignored. Therefore, offered these recommendations. Recommendations The participants noted that it is difficult to witness scenes of boats with migrants stopped for months at sea using the health emergency as an excuse therefore, the governments should make laws and or restrictions that are humane. Governments should refrain from implementing coercive measures that restrict people’s freedom of movement and enacting laws that necessitate restricted individual freedoms as an act of tyranny, instead, laws should be made to safeguard both individual freedoms and the public’s health. Support for affected individuals and businesses by the governments should be a priority. Young youth who participated in the debates recommended that in future swab tests for young people should made be appropriate for young people. The participants did agree that as we navigate through these challenging times, working together to build a society that is more just and equitable for all should be a priority.
Work Package 4 - Fundemental Rights Seminars The consortium held two seminars each focusing on fundamental rights focusing on two topics: Access to information and gender inequalities during covid-19 pandemic.It was generally agreed that, it is important to recognize that ensuring access to real information is an ongoing process. As the Covid-19 pandemic evolves and new information becomes available, it is important to continue to provide clear, accurate, and up-to-date information to the public. This requires collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders, including health organizations, governments, and media outlets, in order to promote a culture of transparency and trustworthiness. Addressing gender inequalities during the Covid-19 crisis required a multi-faceted approach that involves promoting economic support for women, addressing the digital divide, promoting women’s leadership, addressing gender-based violence, addressing the care burden, and collecting gender-disaggregated data. By implementing these solutions, governments and other stakeholders can work towards a more equitable and gender-sensitive response to the pandemic. Quite a number of men pointed out that men felt more exposed to the risk of contracting the virus and passing it on to their families as most of them worked in services that were deemed critical such as emergency responders, food couriers, construction workers and care givers etc. Some men suffered psychological manipulation by women leading to depression. Women, especially those who worked in the informal sector had less access to social protections and majority of them were single parent households, making them more vulnerable during the pandemic and no recourse to social assistance given by the government. Women cited that there was no privacy in hospitals due to the pandemic as men and women shared the same space due to isolation rules. Some women became victims of domestic violence and given the situation they were forced to live under one roof with their abusers due to isolations restrictions and regulations. From the many recommendations forwarded below is a sample of a few that we picked for this summary: Recommendations Collecting gender-disaggregated data: Governments and other stakeholders should collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data to better understand the gendered impacts of the pandemic and develop effective policies and interventions…
Work Package 5 Kindly remain attentive to this designated page for upcoming revelations.
In mid-May 2020, most people found themselves in a country with closed borders, closed schools and
businesses, and restricted freedom of movement. While the COVID-19 pandemic is considered as
one of the largest public health crises of the past hundred years and has triggered ‘unprecedented’
government responses (Cheibub et al. 2020), the measures implemented also exhibit significant
heterogeneity (Hale et al. 2020a). The Covid-19 pandemic is a social and an economic crisis just as
much as it is a health one – its repercussions, severe and far reaching, are being felt across the world.
From school closures to devastated industries and millions of jobs lost, the social and economic costs
of the pandemic are many and varied.
This project aims to ensure the participation of the target population in decision making processes,
whilst also recommending measures with a gender-based approach. The project would also like to
strengthen cooperation between civil society, citizens and decision makers that can mitigate many of
the challenges and improve the quality of life for the target group. The project objectives are as
follows:
● To undertake a gender-based research study, analysing the social and economic effects on vulnerable groups;
● To undertake a series of debates and seminars, focusing on the curtailment of fundamental rights on vulnerable groups;
● To raise awareness and actively counter disinformation, through a campaign, a publication and workshops focusing on media literacy.
Our activities will be geared towards empowering vulnerable groups like migrants, Roma and other
minorities with media literacy tools to counter disinformation, whilst also researching, discussing and
debating the social and economic repercussions brought on by the COVID-19 crisis to increase their
knowledge on Fundamental Rights.
The identified problems that will be tackled in this proposed project are:
● The widening gender-based inequalities because of the COVID-19 crisis;
● The curtailment of fundamental rights, especially with regards to minorities and other vulnerable groups;
● The proliferation of disinformation and its effect on democratic debate;
● The need for media literacy, with the help of experts.
The project will run for 18 months till April 2024. The project has 7 partners from: Malta (lead), Romania, Portugal, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Slovakia.
Work Packages
Work Package 1 – Research Preparation CCIF and its partners met in Bratislava, Slovakia for two day workshops Research Preparation
to establish the methodology of the research study; determining
methods, procedures, analysis and interpretation. The workshops started
by defining the research question and determining methods of data
collection to be used. This involved several decisions that needed to be
taken in order to come up with the best fit for all the targeted groups. The
overall decision involved the agreed approach to be used to collect data
and from which target groups. This Work Package was led by Babes
Bolyai University (UBB)who coordinated and designed the Research
Questionnaire after all partners had conferred on what UBB had proposed.
UBB will also be responsible for analysing and interpretation of the
research results. “The event took place on date 23-24 January 2023 with
the participation of 25 persons from 6 countries.”
Work Package 2 - Research study CCIF and its partners conducted a gender based research and a total number of 274 respondents, recruited by the project partners from the beneficiaries of their organizations answered one questionnaire regarding the impact of COVID-19 measures (described in the Report https://is.gd/fXXEgA . The respondents were referred to as vulnerable people, given their status in the country, their family situation, their ethnic or social background. With respect to their countries of birth, as part of the respondents were immigrants to the countries of residence, the sample was highly heterogeneous. Most participants were born in Slovenia (a number of 43 of the total number), Romania (33 of the total number), Slovakia (28 participants), Italy (20 participants), Portugal (a number of 19 participants), France (a number of 17 of the total number), Germany (a number of 13), Serbia (11 participants), Macedonia (8 participants), Colombia (7 participants), Timor-Leste (7 participants), Spain (6 participants), Martinique (5 participants), Zimbabwe (5 participants), Greece (4 participants), Poland (4 participants), 3 participants from: Bosnia, Brazil, Iraq, 2 participants from each of the following: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Malta, Syria, and one participant from the following countries of birth: Belgium, Egypt, Georgia, Ghana, Guadalupe, Haiti, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Reunion Island, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, USA.
Work Package 3 - Debates and Recommendations on Curtailed Liberties Amidst Covid Crisis Debates and Recommendations on Curtailed Liberties Amidst Covid Crisis Between March and April, 28 debates and discussions were held across 7 partner countries. More than 900 people from different backgrounds participated in these events that were held in various cities i.e Floriana, Marsa and Marsaxlokk in Malta, Bratislava in Slovakia, Ljubljana in Slovenia, Beja in Portugal, Palermo in Italy, Wuppertal in Germany, and Cluj Napoca in Romania. These events provided a unique opportunity for individuals to engage in meaningful conversations on a range of topics, share their thoughts, ideas, and solutions for some of the most pressing issues facing our societies today. DEBATE 1: Lack of possibilities of working and associated unemployment. This debate was focused on people’s lack of opportunities to work during the Pandemic. One of the freedoms that was curtailed was not only work, but also all that goes with work, not only in terms of income, but also in terms of having something to do in life and to give life a richer meaning. During the pandemic, though, many people finished up without a job to go to because of the lockdown that was imposed. In some parts of the world, civil society organizations have been able to close the gaps that their governments failed to fill and have dealt with the corona crisis creatively. During these debates, participants realized that job loss and business closures may be terrible for individuals and communities during times of economic crisis and health pandemics, therefore they made some of these recommendations. Recommendations Provide support to people who have lost jobs or their businesses, figure out fair system. Job training programs so where governments and organizations can also invest in job training programs to help individuals develop new skills and transition into new industries and also provide Income supplements so as to support the vulnerable in the society who are unable to sustain themselves during a crisis. Providing financial and other support for individuals and businesses affected by the measures, such as unemployment benefits, small business loans, and rent subsidies should be highly considered in times of crisis. The participants did agree, however, that by working together, we can build a society that is more inclusive and resilient and in which everyone has the chance to prevail regardless of the situation. Debate 2: Lack of educational opportunity. The lack of opportunities for education during Covid are associated with the closure of schools. This debate was focused on the implications of Covid on education, particularly its impact on the losing out of its formative aspects in children’s and adolescents’ socialization, and on its implications on their studies and their prospects for advancing themselves, including, at college and university levels. This debate was focused on how Covid has had an impact on education, focusing both on the closure and re-opening of schools, colleges and universities, and what implications it had for the children, their families, and other informal education agents, like youth clubs, sports clubs and activity clubs that children and possibly also older people attend. To address the issues of the lack of educational opportunities during future prospective crisis, a number of points and recommendations have been made by the participants. Recommendations The participants encouraged that governments and organizations need to invest in technological infrastructure that can ensure remote learning access, and provide teachers training and resources for remote learning, offer flexible schedules and accommodations for students with disabilities, and deal with the psychological effects of the pandemic on students. Furthermore, they recommended that in order to ensure that all students have access to the finest educational opportunities and study resources, educational institutions should adapt quickly in terms of syllabuses, as is supporting students’ mental wellbeing by offering free psychological services. The pandemic has brought to light the value of public education and the necessity for increased funding for educational systems to guarantee that all pupils have access to an equal education especially during situations like Covid-19. Debate 3: Harsh measures that restrict people’s freedom. During the COVID 19 pandemic some countries executed harsh measures against people protesting against Covid regulations. This debate was focused on exploring if the measures to curb the pandemic have also been abused to undermine democracy and put people who disagree with the state including human rights activists and certain journalists with voices that dissented with those of governments under pressure. As a result, they put forth a number of recommendations to address the difficulties experienced by diverse groups in an effort to build a society that is more just and equitable. Recommendations Protecting of civil liberties governments can ensure that measures are necessary, proportionate, and time-limited, and do not unnecessarily restrict civil liberties. A lot of young people now experience depression and anxiety as a result of the pandemic, which has had a negative impact on mental health. To assist people in overcoming the difficulties brought on by the pandemic, it’s critical to offer emotional support, such as counseling services or a secure environment in which to express feelings. Debate 4: Closed Borders and Travel Restrictions. Closed borders are always traumatic to those wishing to travel for whatever reason. Travel restrictions have been implemented previously, although to a more limited extent. This has had implications for refugees, asylum seekers, students, migrant workers, pilgrims, travelers, domestic workers, textile merchants and migrants who have travelled abroad to get medical assistance have found themselves stranded and destitute at airports, at or between land border entry points, and at sea without means to return to their home country. This debate was focused on exploring how closed borders and travel restrictions impacted vulnerable people and citizens. The participants expressed their ideas after pointing out that the effects of these measures on people and communities cannot be ignored. Therefore, offered these recommendations. Recommendations The participants noted that it is difficult to witness scenes of boats with migrants stopped for months at sea using the health emergency as an excuse therefore, the governments should make laws and or restrictions that are humane. Governments should refrain from implementing coercive measures that restrict people’s freedom of movement and enacting laws that necessitate restricted individual freedoms as an act of tyranny, instead, laws should be made to safeguard both individual freedoms and the public’s health. Support for affected individuals and businesses by the governments should be a priority. Young youth who participated in the debates recommended that in future swab tests for young people should made be appropriate for young people. The participants did agree that as we navigate through these challenging times, working together to build a society that is more just and equitable for all should be a priority.
Work Package 4 - Fundemental Rights Seminars The consortium held two seminars each focusing on fundamental rights focusing on two topics: Access to information and gender inequalities during covid-19 pandemic.It was generally agreed that, it is important to recognize that ensuring access to real information is an ongoing process. As the Covid-19 pandemic evolves and new information becomes available, it is important to continue to provide clear, accurate, and up-to-date information to the public. This requires collaboration and coordination among various stakeholders, including health organizations, governments, and media outlets, in order to promote a culture of transparency and trustworthiness. Addressing gender inequalities during the Covid-19 crisis required a multi-faceted approach that involves promoting economic support for women, addressing the digital divide, promoting women’s leadership, addressing gender-based violence, addressing the care burden, and collecting gender-disaggregated data. By implementing these solutions, governments and other stakeholders can work towards a more equitable and gender-sensitive response to the pandemic. Quite a number of men pointed out that men felt more exposed to the risk of contracting the virus and passing it on to their families as most of them worked in services that were deemed critical such as emergency responders, food couriers, construction workers and care givers etc. Some men suffered psychological manipulation by women leading to depression. Women, especially those who worked in the informal sector had less access to social protections and majority of them were single parent households, making them more vulnerable during the pandemic and no recourse to social assistance given by the government. Women cited that there was no privacy in hospitals due to the pandemic as men and women shared the same space due to isolation rules. Some women became victims of domestic violence and given the situation they were forced to live under one roof with their abusers due to isolations restrictions and regulations. From the many recommendations forwarded below is a sample of a few that we picked for this summary: Recommendations Collecting gender-disaggregated data: Governments and other stakeholders should collect and analyze gender-disaggregated data to better understand the gendered impacts of the pandemic and develop effective policies and interventions…
Work Package 5 Kindly remain attentive to this designated page for upcoming revelations.
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Work Package 6 Kindly remain attentive to this designated page for upcoming revelations.