The Press Project's Myrto Aretaki spoke to the organization Generation 2.0 (for Rights, Equality & Diversity), about the uncertainties still facing some 200,000 young people who find themselves in limbo in the country that they were born and grew up in, Greece. 

From the outset it's interesting to note what rights these young people are deprived of in this country, despite the fact that they were born here and have lived all their lives here.  
 
They don't have identity cards, and instead upon reaching adulthood are forced to renew residence permits.

They have no political rights. They can't vote in any election, even though they are living in and contributing to Greek society.
 
They don't have free access to the labour market. They cannot work in the public sector, which even if this seems straightforward to some, also means that they can't work as teachers or doctors in public institutions. Likewise they can't receive a license to practice professions such as physiotherapy, psychology, speech therapy, or even to work as a lawyer, nurse or hairdresser.
 
They live precarious lives. They can dream and plan for their future, but their realities will continue to be uncertain. They are living legally in the country that they were born only as long as their residence permits allow. 
 
Fortunately the leadership of the new Ministry of Immigration Policy looks set to tackle some of these problems. 
 
At a recent event held by Generation 2.0 in Athens, the new Alternate Minister of Migration Policy, Tasia Christodoulopoulou, called to express her support for their campaign #‎EqualCitizens and to declare her commitment to drafting a new law on citizenship. We only hope that SYRIZA's coalition partner, ANEL, will not obstruct the passing of such legislation.
 
So what will be the next steps after the granting of citizenship? The basic acceptance and recognition of second generation immigrants as equal citizens, and an end to intolerance and racism. There's still much work to be done.  
 
GENERATION 2.0 for Rights, Equality and Diversity
 
Generation 2.0 is is an organization which conducts research and orchestrates social actions to promote rights, equality and diversity, and the fight against racism, xenophobia and discrimination.
 
It is a voice representing young people with different origins who were born and /or raised in Greece.

With a volunteer network of 25-30, and 5-6 core members who have selflessly given their time to the organisation, activities to date have included

– Offering counselling services in their headquarters in central Athens

– Research work in collaboration with the University of the Peloponnese

– Information campaigns in schools

– A weekly radio show at portokaliradio.gr

– Volunteer counselling work in one of the Athens Immigration Centres

In an attempt to expand its activities, the group organizes Basketball Tournaments in neighbourhoods around Athens with the only requirement for participation being that each team contains at least 3 nationalities. 


You can find out more about them through their facebook page, here.