The project will organize two workshops: a one-day virtual workshop and a two-day in-person workshop in Athens. The virtual workshop will help participants share ideas, become familiar with each other’s expertise and build a rapport before the in-person workshop. Both workshops will bring together 20 faculty members and students: seven from Columbia University, five from Armenia, five from Greece and three from other European Union countries.
These invitation-only workshops aim to convene policymakers, researchers, students, clinicians and legal experts to focus on the nursing workforce and displaced populations in Armenia and Greece. Participants will include a diverse range of perspectives with leaders from American University of Armenia , the International Council of Nurses, the Hellenic National Nurses Association in Greece and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Project leaders aim to facilitate fruitful brainstorming, feedback and discussion.
Overview
Over the last two decades, there has been a significant surge in the number of forcibly displaced populations globally, rising from 33.9 million in 1997 to 82.4 million in 2020, primarily due to long-term conflicts worldwide. Armenia and Greece are among the countries that have experienced an unprecedented influx of refugees over the past several years. In 2023 alone, Armenia received approximately 120,000 displaced people from Nagorno Karabakh (a disputed region currently under the control of Azerbaijan) as well as countries such as Syria, Ukraine, Russia and Iran. In 2023, more than 3.3% of Armenia’s total population was displaced. Greece has also had approximately 130,000 refugees from countries impacted by long-term conflicts.
Such a massive influx of refugees can significantly strain healthcare systems. Studies show widespread unmet healthcare needs among displaced individuals, including lack of access to primary care and mental health services. Healthcare systems in Armenia and Greece struggle to meet the needs of the displaced populations. In both countries, undocumented migrants may be entitled to access emergency care; yet, to promote public health, access to basic health care services is necessary.
Throughout history, nurses have served as advocates for migrants and refugees, a role that remains relevant today as nurses are usually the first clinicians to interact with patients. Nurses are involved in providing primary care services to displaced populations, including routine check- ups, vaccinations and basic medical treatments. They also address the mental health needs of displaced migrants by offering counseling, psychological support and referrals to specialized mental health services, considering the trauma experienced during displacement. Furthermore, nurses engage in health education initiatives to promote preventive healthcare practices among displaced populations. Yet, despite the key role nurses take in healthcare systems globally and the care of the displaced populations, nurses in Armenia and Greece are underutilized and face limited resources, hierarchical medical systems and poor working conditions, limiting their capacity to care for the growing displaced population.
This project brings together the Center for Healthcare Delivery Research and Innovations at Columbia University School of Nursing, the American University of Armenia and the Columbia Global Center in Athens to advance the nursing profession and workforce in caring for displaced populations in Armenia and Greece. The project leverages Healthcare Center’s interdisciplinary expertise, which draws faculty from the School of Nursing, Mailman School of Public Health, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Global Center in Athens. Our plan includes hosting a one-day virtual workshop and a two-day, in-person workshop at the Global Center in Athens in 2024-2025. The workshops will allow the sharing of cross-country perspectives on the challenges of the nursing workforce and identify ways to improve the nursing profession’s ability to care for the displaced populations in Armenia and Greece.
Outcomes and impact
The project will gain insights into the challenges of delivering healthcare to displaced populations in Armenia and Greece and how the nursing workforce can help eliminate these barriers. The project will design policy recommendations on how to support the nursing workforce in caring for the displaced. The recommendations will be included in a published report after the workshops conclude..
Attendees will actively participate in dynamic discussions about future steps and establish long-term collaborations with the organizations mentioned above to design research projects to produce evidence on the nursing workforce and care of displaced populations.
Role of Athens Global Center
The Columbia Global Center in Athens is pivotal to the success of this proposal, offering invaluable support and resources. As a central hub for our team's activities, it will host our in-person workshop and facilitate networking opportunities in Greece and Europe. The Center will help coordinate both with the virtual and in-person workshops.
With a vast network in Greece and Europe, the Center will recruit participants for the workshop from the Hellenic National Nurses Association, local hospital leadership and non-governmental agencies focused on caring for refugees. For the in-person workshop, the Center will provide space and resources and help coordinate the travel arrangements. After the workshops are completed and policy recommendations about fostering the nursing workforce to care for the displaced populations are developed, the Center will help disseminate the findings to local organizations and across Europe.
Our collaboration will foster meaningful connections and elevate Columbia's global profile. Additionally, the Center's strategic location in Athens ensures convenient access for team members from neighboring European countries, facilitating efficient collaboration. By leveraging their support, we aim to forge partnerships with local leaders and experts to work with displaced populations, enhancing the workshops' impact. The Center will also foster future collaborations to drive impactful outcomes and greater global visibility for Columbia University.