(18 September 2017) Non-formal education, creative workshops, and training: the “Social Cafè #RefugeesWelcome” was inaugurated by IPSIA and Caritas for the project “Interventi psico-sociali nei campi profughi in Serbia” (Psycho-Social Interventions in Serbian Refugee Camps). Its aim is to be a social space for asylum seekers in the transit centre of Bogovadja, Serbia. Since October 2016, IPSIA (NGO of ACLI), Caritas Italiana, Caritas Ambrosiana, and Caritas Valjevo have worked together in the transit centre for asylum seekers in Bogovadja, 70 km from Belgrade, with local and international staff members that offer psychological support and present educational, cultural, and entertainment. The main objective is to improve the time people spend in the centre, targeting all members of society such as children, teenagers, women, families, and individuals. The idea to open a Social Café – a room renovated by IPSIA and Caritas inside the seat of the Bogovadja centre, but in a different building” satisfies a need expressed by the guests of the centre: “Its goal is simply to be an informal meeting space that breaks the daily repetitive routine that ranges from the distribution of kits, registrations, health visits, or bureaucratic procedures” stated Mauro Montalbetti, President of IPSIA-Acli on the website.

THE BOGOVADJA CENTRE

The majority of the refugees, asylum seeks, and migrants are housed in 18 government shelters among which is the Bogovadja centre which houses approximately 250 people. According to the most recent data, 43% are minors, 14% are women, and 43% are men. 66% are from Afghanistan, 11% from Iraq, 12% from Syria, and 9% from Pakistan. The inauguration will be chaired by the director of Caritas Valjevo. The director of the centre on behalf of the Commission for migrations in Serbia; and representatives of Ipsia-Acli, Caritas Italiana, and Caritas Ambrosiana will also intervene. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be accompanied by performances, dances, and music by the refugees of the camp.