Small groups randomly selected were created during our visit in Birmingham at the Eurasia Learning and Support Center in order to discuss topics related to culture, inter-cultural relations and experiences. In specific, seven questions were put forward;

1)      How do you great each other at your country?

2)      What cultural aspects are being discussed?

3)      Why people emigrate?

4)      What makes your life a good life?

5)      In what way is your life influenced by religion?

6)      What would you like to change in your country?

7)      What is your experience in different cultures?

All the participants agreed that the above questions constituted a kind of stimulus for more intimate exchange of ideas, opinions, and experiences. Following this exchange of ideas within small groups, we all reflected on the key topics raised within each small group. A presentation of these key points follows;

Cultural aspects most commonly discussed include issues of cultural identity maintenance, tradition, cultural diversity and emigration, rapid change of homogeneous societies, healthy integration vs assimilation, anti-social behavior, religious practices, various ways of life, creation of borders as protective mechanism ensuring emotional safety for community members, economic recession and unemployment, globalization and localism, fund policies and culture preservation.

Religion and how it connects to everyday life:  a range of opinions were expressed concerned with the importance of religion in the everyday life depending on the ethnicity, and religious orientation. Religious was approached as a source of identity, social order and personal resource (coping strategy). Religion as a kind of philosophical reflection was also discussed. Contextual factors such as state regimes, region, traditions, family background were thought to be strong determinants of religion. Private and public practices of religion were differentiated. Most agreed that religion practices are mostly connected with major events of life course (celebrations/ weddings/ public expression) while religion is strongly constructed by means of language (God bless you!).  Lastly, religion was suggested as a means to compare cultures.

A good life is everything but mostly intimacy, reciprocal love, family ties, children being protected, freedom of choices, creativity, job satisfaction, physical landscape, money, and having a good meal!

Experiences in different cultures include feelings of loneliness, architecture conformity, differences in time perspective (asian time vs west time), discrimination, highly structured societies vs societies will less structure and order, universal uman needs.

People emigrate because of money, job, love and education.

 Notes of Greek partner organisation