Refugee language training classes opened in Vitebsk and Gomel

September 28, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. Refugee language training classes have opened in Vitebsk and Gomel, reports BELTA correspondent. In Vitebsk, a refugee language training class has been established at the P.M. Masherov University, and in Gomel, at the F. Skorina University. The funds allocated for these purposes amounted to about 20 thousand euros in total. The opening of refugee language training classes was implemented within the framework of the EU-UNHCR international technical assistance project "Integration of Refugees in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine". At the opening ceremony in Vitebsk, Sholeh Safavi, a representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, noted that this project has been implemented since 2009. Over the first three years, more than 600 thousand euros were allocated for its implementation in Belarus, and a refugee language training class was opened at Belarusian State University. The second phase, with funding of 138 thousand euros, has been implemented since 2012. However, in October, the organization will consider the feasibility of doubling this amount. Emphasizing the significance of the "Integration of Refugees in Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine" project, Sholeh Safavi noted that the official opening of refugee language training classes in Vitebsk and Gomel took place today, but they actually started operating about two weeks ago. "During this short period, representatives of local authorities, interested departments, and public organizations in the regional centers have been able to see their relevance in terms of language adaptation of refugees. This is a fundamental component of refugee integration into the society of the host country," said Sholeh Safavi. The issue of opening similar classes in other regions of Belarus is not yet being considered due to the small number of recognized refugees there, but the possibility is not excluded, added the UNHCR representative. Representatives of the UNHCR, P.M. Masherov PSU, F. Skorina PSU, Belarusian Red Cross Society, Ministry of Education of Belarus, and the Department for Citizenship and Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs took part in the official opening ceremony of the refugee language training class in Vitebsk. Memoranda of cooperation were signed between them during the event. -0-