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‘De Voorkamer’ (‘The living room’) is a social design method for integration which combats the loss of identity often experienced by residents of refugee centres. Using participants’ specific skills, Pim van der Mijl’s team creates a meeting space in the middle of a Dutch town, outside the refugee centre. Skills may be technical, to build furniture or fittings, but also more intellectual; in the pilot, a refugee with a degree in English created a magazine. Then the team cooks with the local residents and everyone shares a meal. Encounters based on equality that bring a sense of involvement, confidence, pride, and laughter for both the hosts and their guests.

In Molenbeek, Belgium, youth are fighting terror with laughter, all thanks to their coach, comedian Mohamed Ouachen.

Syrian refugees in Canada are using painting, drawing and photography to learn to adjust to their new setting. Sick Muse Art Projects hosts free weekly art workshops for children at Romero House in Toronto.

Mohammad came to Europe by boat. Now he volunteers for Lampedusa Cruises, piloting tourists through Amsterdam's canals on a migrant boat pulled from the Mediterranean Sea. This time, it's just for fun.

In Paris, a Syrian refugee is taking over a trendy restaurant to show off his cooking skills and to break stereotypes. Many other refugees are also taking part in the Refugee Food Festival.

Doctors Without Borders asked refugees in Lebanon what the word “refugee” means to them. This is what they answered.

Syrians don't have it easy even when they've arrived in Europe. We spoke with some Syrians about the challenges they face after landing in a Berlin refugee camp.

Alex Assali fled Assad in Syria and ISIL in Libya. Now he runs a charity kitchen in Berlin.

Read his story:
http://aje.io/GivingBack