International advocacy in Sicily

FMSI went to the city of Syracusa, Italy, on February 7 and 8, in order to discuss the situation there regarding the rights of migrants and meet up with Carla Tromino, the Public Children’s Guardian of the city, as well as with students of Jurisprudence at the University of Catania.

Based on their first-hand knowledge of the local context, they are participating in the preparation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Italy to defend the rights of migrants through this international forum.

The students at the Legal Clinic of the Department of Jurisprudence within the University of Catania are actively involved in the process. They are preparing a report and recommendations to be sent to the Italian Government at the end of March.

Networking and contact with authorities and experts in this field ensures an effective use of the mechanisms of the United Nations to which the Marist Institute has access.

In October 2016 the Marist community started in Syracusa (Sicily, Italy) as part of the Lavalla200> initiative. Two years later, in January 2019, the Intercultural Centre for Assistance and Orientation (CIAO) was inaugurated to provide an outreach to the young migrants and refugees who have arrived in Sicily.