Step by Step guide to support #HumanityB4Nationality !

My petition is online for almost a month now. Unfortunately, I only have 24 amazing supporters so far. But I'm very happy and grateful that they come from different countries. I have supporters from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, England, Italy, and Greece.

In the recent four weeks, I made the following experience with people who I talked to about the petition: 

There are three kinds of people:

1. The ones, who understand the seriousness of the issue, agree with me, talk and complain about it but are not willing to be active and use their voice in public for whatever reason!

2. The ones who like to be supportive but are worried, unsure, or afraid of sharing their name and contact information on a public platform.

3.  And finally, the ones who like to be supportive but just don’t know how to use the online platform.

Unfortunately, I can’t change and force the ones who prefer to complain all day long but are not willing to be active and supportive.

But I can assure those who are unsure and worried about using their names and contact information, that not even I (as the petition organizer) see your private information such as your Email address, home address, etc. Your information is handled professionally by the online platform openpetiton.eu.  And if you don’t want your name to appear on the website, you can even sign the petition anonymously.

And finally, for those who don’t know how to sign up for a petition, here we go. A step-by-step screenshot! I hope this is helpful and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me! 

1. Enter your name & 2. Email address and click the blue sign button!

Enter your 3. Zip Code, 4. Street, & 5. Country and click SIGN

The three questions here are OPTIONAL. 

The most important question is: Who should see your support? 

PUBLIC or PRIVATE? 

OPTIONAL: 

1. Why is the petition important to you?

2. My concern

OPTIONAL: 

3. My involvement

ALMOST THERE! 

YOU ARE NOT DONE YET!

PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL AND CONFIRM YOUR SIGNATURE!

AND NOW YOU HAVE THE CHANCE TO INFORM

YOUR PEOPLE ABOUT THIS PETITION BY EITHER USING

THE FB, TWITTER, WHATS APP, OR EMAIL BUTTON!

NOW YOU ARE DONE! THANK YOU! :-)

Show solidarity 4 #HumanityB4Nationality with creativity!

My summer blog series about “Creativity” has ended. I want to use this opportunity and thank all my international blog guests! 

Now my focus is on my online petition. I hope I can bring awareness to the plight of refugees worldwide. Those who are stuck in refugee camps and those who are suffering under an unfair refugee law in European countries.

With #HumanityB4Nationality I’m not asking for donations. I’m not asking you to support me personally, but all the innocent and voiceless refugees of today. All you need to do is sign the petition and show solidarity for humanity. Because at the end of the day, we are all the same! Remember, blood is always red!

Please sign, share and support. You can also show your solidarity with the petition by using creativity. Get inspired by the #HumanityB4Nationality Hashtag and send us your artwork. You can express yourself in all possible forms of art. Be it painting, drawing, graphic design, photography, handicrafts, a song, a song lyric, a poem, or even the art of baking or cooking. 

Show Solidarity 4 #HumanityB4Nationality 

with Creativity! Be inventive. Be creative. Be unique! 

Please email me a picture of your masterwork and I will share and promote it on my blog and social media pages. Thank you. Danke. Grazie. Merci and God bless.

SIGN THE PETITION IN YOUR LANGUAGE! 

You can sign the petition anonymously because we respect your privacy! 

HUMANITY BEFORE NATIONALITY

MENSCHLICHKEIT VOR NATIONALITÄT

L'UMANITÀ PRIMA DELLA NAZIONALITÀ 

L'HUMANITÉ AVANT LA NATIONALITÉ 

HUMANIDAD ANTES QUE NACIONALIDAD

HUMANIDAD ANTES QUE NACIONALIDAD

 

¡Puede firmar la petición de forma anónima porque respetamos su privacidad!

Es horroroso y desgarrador presenciar la falta de voluntad del gobierno para encontrar una solución que sea beneficiosa para todos. ¿Por qué está causando este problema tantos dolores de cabeza a estas personas, altamente cualificadas y en exceso remuneradas, de los gobiernos, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y organizaciones benéficas? ¿Por qué es tan difícil encontrar una solución simple y útil que de una vez por todas ponga fin a este sistema de integración roto? ¿Por qué son tratadas como parias las personas que han venido a Europa en busca de seguridad? En lugar de cuidar de estas personas inocentes, las envían a edificios abandonados fuera de los centros de las ciudades o las castigan como delincuentes en campos de refugiados. Los solicitantes de asilo y los refugiados son tratados como si fueran terroristas portadores de una enfermedad por la que deberían ser apartados de la sociedad, castigados y condenados a cadena perpetua como prisioneros.

Hemos sido testigos de esta horrible crisis humanitaria durante más de una década. Es hora de hacer un cambio fundamental y rescatar a los refugiados de una vida en la miseria. Los refugiados merecen una vida digna, seguridad y privacidad, vivienda y alimentación, atención médica y social y orientación para participar en el proceso legal de solicitud de asilo.

Cuando las personas solicitan asilo, después de haber abandonado sus hogares y a sus seres queridos para escapar del conflicto y la persecución, están desesperadas por comenzar sus vidas otra vez de cero. Pero la actual Ley de Refugiados se lo impide de todas las formas posibles. Aquellos que acaban en campos de refugiados sufren tanto como quienes llegan a países europeos.

Las tiendas de campaña y las mantas no son soluciones a largo plazo. Ya es hora de ayudar DE VERDAD a los desamparados. Los solicitantes de asilo, los refugiados, los desplazados ya lo han perdido todo. No deberían ser castigados. No deberían sufrir en condiciones horribles e inhumanas en campos de refugiados o edificios abandonados. Sus consecuencias son depresión, graves problemas mentales y de salud, y aislamiento social.

Los solicitantes de asilo y los refugiados están sufriendo en sus países de adopción en Europa porque no tienen derecho a una educación y a un empleo adecuados, ni a su adecuada integración.

Todo ser humano que solicita asilo debe tener derecho a una educación, a su integración y a un trabajo adecuados en su país de adopción en Europa. Conceder el derecho al trabajo a los solicitantes de asilo y a los refugiados fortalecerá las oportunidades de estas personas para poder integrarse en sus nuevas comunidades. Les permitirá vivir con dignidad y mantenerse a sí mismos y a sus familias. Les permitirá utilizar sus habilidades y aprovechar al máximo su potencial. Mejorará la salud mental de las personas en el sistema de asilo.

Por eso los refugiados deben ser tratados con respeto. Toda persona merece vivir su vida con seguridad y dignidad. Toda persona debería vivir una vida segura en un hogar y no en una tienda de campaña o en una casa de asilo abandonada.

¡Todo refugiado merece prosperar en la vida y no solo sobrevivir!

Reclamo lo siguiente para los refugiados en los campos de refugiados:

Derribar los campos de refugiados.

Proporcionar a los refugiados un hogar adecuado.

Ofrecer asesoramiento legal en su proceso de asilo.

Ofrecer atención médica y mental.

Exijo lo siguiente para los refugiados en los países europeos:

Exijo más derechos para los solicitantes de asilo y los refugiados en materia de educación, empleo, residencia e integración. Unos ingresos regulares y un permiso de residencia adecuado reducen la delincuencia, la pobreza y los matrimonios falsos o forzados.

Los solicitantes de asilo y los refugiados en los países europeos deberían participar en un proceso de asilo más rápido y transparente.

¡Humanidad antes que nacionalidad! ¡Necesitamos ser la voz de los que no tienen voz y poner fin a esta tragedia humana de una vez por todas!

“Lily4Refugees” es mi proyecto de pasión. Soy escritora, bloguera y Voice4Refugees. Soy una exrefugiada de guerra que ha sufrido durante casi tres décadas bajo la ley de refugiados que detiene a los solicitantes de asilo y "tolera" a los refugiados en el sistema educativo y con respecto a su integración total. Por eso elijo "Humanidad antes que nacionalidad" como título de nuestra petición. Durante toda mi vida me han reducido a una hoja de papel, ¡y eso convirtió mi vida en un infierno!

L'HUMANITÉ AVANT LA NATIONALITÉ

Vous pouvez signer la pétition de manière anonyme car nous respectons votre vie privée !

Il est désolant et douloureux de voir l'incapacité des gouvernements à trouver une solution efficace et univoque. Pourquoi ce problème donne-t-il du fil à retordre à ces personnes hautement qualifiées et surpayées que travaillent dans les gouvernements, les organisations à but non lucratif et les organismes de bienfaisance ? Pourquoi est-il si difficile de trouver une solution facile et utile qui mette un terme, une fois pour toutes, à ce système d'intégration fallacieux ? Pourquoi est-il si difficile de trouver une solution simple et utile qui mette fin, une fois pour toutes, à ce système d'intégration qui échoue? Pourquoi les personnes qui sont venues en Europe pour chercher la sécurité sont-elles traitées comme des exclus? Au lieu de prendre soin de ces innocents, ils les envoient dans des bâtiments abandonnés à l'extérieur des centres-villes et les punissent comme des criminels dans les camps de réfugiés. Les demandeurs d'asile et les réfugiés sont traités comme des terroristes qui devraient être retirés de la société, punis, et condamnés à perpétuité comme des prisonniers.

Nous sommes témoins de cette horrible crise humanitaire pendant plus d'une décennie. Il est temps d'apporter un changement radical et de sauver les réfugiés de leur misère. Les réfugiés méritent une vie digne. Sécurité et vie privée, logement et nourriture, soins médicaux et assistance sociale, et soutien pour participer au processus légal de demande d'asile.

Lorsque des personnes demandent l'asile, après avoir quitté leurs foyers et leurs proches pour fuir les conflits et les persécutions, elles cherchent désespérément à commencer une nouvelle vie en repartant de zéro. Mais la loi sur les réfugiés le rend impossible. Ceux qui finissent dans des camps de réfugiés souffrent autant que ceux qui parviennent à rejoindre les pays européens.

Les tentes et les couvertures ne sont pas des solutions à long terme. Le temps est venu d'aider VRAIMENT les gens sans aide. Les demandeurs d'asile, les réfugiés et les personnes déplacées ont déjà tout perdu. Ils ne devraient pas être punis. Ils ne devraient pas souffrir dans des conditions terribles et inhumaines dans des camps de réfugiés ou dans des bâtiments abandonnés.

Les demandeurs d’asile et les réfugiés souffrent dans les pays européens d’accueil parce qu’ils n’ont pas droit à une éducation adéquate, à un emploi et à la pleine intégration. Les conséquences sont la dépression, des graves problèmes de santé et de santé mentale et l’isolement social.

Tout être humain qui demande l'asile devrait avoir droit à une éducation adéquate, à l'intégration et à un emploi dans le pays d'accueil. Donner aux demandeurs d'asile et aux réfugiés le droit de travailler renforcera leurs chances de s'intégrer dans leurs nouvelles communautés. Cela leur permettra de vivre dans la dignité et de subvenir à leurs besoins et à ceux de leur famille. Cela leur permettra d'utiliser leurs compétences et de faire ressortir le meilleur de leur potentiel. Elle améliorera la santé mentale des personnes participant au processus de demande d'asile.

Les réfugiés doivent être traités avec respect. Chaque personne mérite de vivre une vie sûre et digne. Chaque personne devrait vivre une vie sûre dans une maison et non dans une tente ou une maison abandonnée.

Chaque réfugié mérite de prospérer et pas seulement de survivre !

Je demande combien de suivis pour les réfugiés dans les camps de réfugiés

Fermez les camps de réfugiés.

Donnez aux réfugiés un foyer convenable.

Offrez-leur des conseils juridiques dans le processus de demande d'asile.

Offrez-leur un traitement médical et une assistance psychologique.

Je demande ce qui suit pour les réfugiés dans les pays européens

J’exige plus de droits pour les demandeurs d'asile et les réfugiés dans les domaines de l'éducation, du travail, du logement et de l'intégration. Un salaire régulier et un permis de séjour régulier réduisent la criminalité, la pauvreté, les mariages faux ou forcés. Les demandeurs d'asile et les réfugiés dans les pays européens devraient avoir accès à un processus de demande d'asile plus rapide et plus transparent.

L'humanité avant la nationalité ! Nous devons être la voix des sans-voix et mettre un terme à cette tragédie humanitaire une fois pour toutes !

« Lily4Refugees » est le projet auquel je tiens beaucoup. Je suis écrivain, blogueur et porte-parole des réfugiés. Je suis une réfugiée de guerre qui a souffert trente ans à cause de la loi sur les réfugiés qui rejette les demandeurs d'asile et les réfugiés « tolérés » dans les domaines de l'éducation et de la pleine intégration. C'est pourquoi j'ai choisi "L'humanité avant la nationalité" comme titre de notre pétition. Toute ma vie, j'ai été réduit à un morceau de papier et cela a fait de ma vie un enfer !

Merci beaucoup pour votre soutien, Lily Amis de Suisse

 

L'UMANITÀ PRIMA DELLA NAZIONALITÀ

Puoi firmare la petizione in modo anonimo perché rispettiamo la tua privacy!

È terribile e doloroso constatare l’incapacità dei governi di trovare una soluzione efficace per tutti. Perché tale problema sta dando del filo da torcere a queste persone altamente qualificate e superpagate nei governi, nelle organizzazioni no-profit e in quelle benefiche? Perché è così difficile trovare una semplice ed utile soluzione che metta fine, una volta per tutte, a questo fallace sistema di integrazione? Perché le persone che sono venute in Europa per cercare sicurezza vengono trattate come degli emarginati? Invece di prendersi cura di queste persone innocenti, li mandano in edifici abbandonati fuori dai centri cittadini e li puniscono come criminali nei campi profughi. I richiedenti asilo e i rifugiati vengono trattati come se fossero terroristi che dovrebbero essere rimossi dalla società, puniti, e condannati a vita come prigionieri.

Abbiamo assistito a questa orribile crisi umanitaria per più di un decennio. È ora di apportare un cambiamento radicale e salvare i rifugiati dalla loro condizione di miseria. I rifugiati meritano una vita dignitosa. Sicurezza e privacy, alloggi e cibo, cure mediche e assistenza sociale, e supporto per partecipare al processo legale di richiesta di asilo.

Quando le persone chiedono asilo, dopo aver lasciato le loro case e i loro cari per scappare da conflitti e persecuzioni, cercano disperatamente di iniziare una nuova vita ripartendo da zero. Ma la legge sui rifugiati glielo rende impossibile in ogni modo. Quelli che finiscono nei campi profughi soffrono tanto quanto quelli che riescono a raggiungere i Paesi europei.

Tende e coperte non sono soluzioni a lungo termine. È arrivato il momento di aiutare  VERAMENTE le persone prive di aiuto. I richiedenti asilo, i rifugiati, e gli sfollati hanno già perso tutto. Non dovrebbero essere puniti. Non dovrebbero soffire in condizioni terribili e disumane nei campi profughi o in edifici abbandonati.

I richiedenti asilo e i rifugiati soffrono nei Paesi europei che li ospitano perché non hanno diritto ad un’istruzione adeguata, ad un impiego e alla piena integrazione. La depressione, seri problemi di salute e mentali, e l’isolamento sociale ne sono le conseguenze.

Ogni essere umano che chiede asilo dovrebbe avere diritto ad un’istruzione adeguata, all’integrazione e ad un lavoro nel Paese che lo ospita. Dare ai richiedenti asilo e ai rifugiati il diritto di lavorare rafforzerà le loro possibilità di integrarsi all’interno delle loro nuove comunità. Permetterà loro di vivere con dignità e di provvedere a se stessi e alle loro famiglie. Consentirà loro di utilizzare le proprie capacità e tirare fuori il meglio dal loro potenziale. Migliorerà la salute mentale delle persone coinvolte nel processo di richiesta di asilo.

Ecco perché i rifugiati dovrebbero essere trattati con rispetto. Ogni singola persona merità di vivere una vita sicura e dignitosa. Ogni singola persona dovrebbe vivere una vita sicura in una casa e non in una tenda o in una casa abbandonata.

Ogni singolo rifugiato merita di prosperare e non solo di sopravvivere!

Chiedo quante segue per i rifugiati nei campi profughi

Chiudete i campi profughi.

Date ai rifugiati un alloggio adeguato.

Offrite loro consulenza legale nel processo di richiesta di asilo.

Offrite loro cure mediche e assistenza psicologica.

Chiedo quanto segue per i rifugiati nei Paesi Europei

Chiedo più diritti per i richiedenti asilo e i rifugiati nel campo dell’istruzione, del lavoro, delle politiche abitative e dell’integrazione. Uno stipendio regolare e un regolare permesso di soggiorno riducono il crimine, la povertà, matrimoni falsi o forzati. I richiedenti asilo e i rifugiati nei Paesi Europei dovrebbero avere accesso ad un processo di richiesta di asilo più rapido e trasparente.

Humanity Before Nationality! Dobbiamo essere la voce di chi non ha voce e mettere fine a questa tragedia umanitaria una volta per tutte.

“Lily4Refugees” è il progetto che mi sta a cuore. Sono una scrittrice, blogger e una voce per i rifugiati. Sono una ex rifugiata di guerra che ha sofferto per quasi trent’anni a causa della legge sui rifugiati che respinge i richiedenti asilo e “ha tollerato” i rifugiati nel campo dell’istruzione e della piena integrazione. Per questo ho scelto “Humanity Before Nationality” come titolo per la nostra petizione. Per tutta la mia vita sono stata ridotta ad un pezzo di carta e questo ha reso la mia vita un inferno!

MENSCHLICHKEIT VOR NATIONALITÄT

Sie können die Petition anonym unterschreiben, da wir Ihre Privatsphäre respektieren!

Es ist schrecklich und herzzerreissend mitanzusehen, dass die Regierungen nicht in der Lage sind, eine Lösung zu finden, die für alle Beteiligten von Vorteil ist. Warum bereitet dieses Problem hochgebildeten und überbezahlten Menschen in Regierungen, gemeinnützigen Organisationen und Wohltätigkeitsorganisationen solches Kopfzerbrechen? Warum ist es so schwierig, eine einfache und hilfreiche Lösung zu finden, die dieses kaputte Integrationssystem ein für alle Mal beendet? Warum werden diese unschuldigen und hilflosen Menschen wie Dreck behandelt? Anstatt sich um sie zu kümmern, werden sie in gottverlassenen Gebäuden ausserhalb der Stadtzentren oder in Flüchtlingslagern entsorgt. Sie werden behandelt, als wären sie Aussätzige mit einer ansteckenden und lebensbedrohlichen Krankheit. Sie werden von der Gesellschaft ausgeschlossen, bestraft und wie lebenslang verurteilte Gefangene behandelt.

Seit über einem Jahrzehnt sind wir Zeugen dieser schrecklichen humanitären Krise. Es ist an der Zeit, eine grundlegende Veränderung vorzunehmen und die Flüchtlinge aus ihrem Elend zu retten. Flüchtlinge verdienen ein Leben in Würde. Sicherheit und Privatsphäre, Unterkunft und Ernährung, medizinische und psychische Betreuung sowie rechtliche Beratung am legalen Asylverfahren.

Wenn Menschen Asyl beantragen, nachdem sie ihr Zuhause und ihre Angehörigen verlassen haben, um Konflikten und Verfolgung zu entkommen, versuchen sie verzweifelt, ihr Leben wieder von null aufzubauen. Aber das Flüchtlingsgesetz macht es ihnen in jeder Hinsicht schwer, ja gar unmöglich. Diejenigen, die in Flüchtlingslagern landen, leiden ebenso wie diejenigen, die es in europäische Länder schaffen.

Zelte und Decken sind keine langfristigen Lösungen. Es ist endlich an der Zeit, den Hilflosen WIRKLICH zu helfen. Asylbewerber, Flüchtlinge und Vertriebene haben bereits alles verloren. Sie sollten nicht auch noch bestraft werden. Sie sollten nicht unter entsetzlichen und unmenschlichen Bedingungen in Flüchtlingslagern oder verlassenen Gebäuden leiden müssen. Depressionen, ernsthafte gesundheitliche und psychische Probleme sowie soziale Isolation sind die Folgen.

Asylsuchende und Flüchtlinge leiden in ihren Aufnahmeländern in europäischen Ländern, weil sie kein Recht auf Bildung, Fortbildung, Beschäftigung und Integration haben. Depressionen, ernsthafte gesundheitliche und psychische Probleme sowie soziale Isolation sind die Folgen.

Jeder asylsuchende Mensch sollte das Recht auf Bildung, Weiterbildung, Integration und Arbeit in seiner Wahlheimat in Europa haben. Asylbewerbern und Flüchtlingen das Recht auf Arbeit zu geben, stärkt die Chancen diesen Menschen, sich in ihr neues Zuhause zu integrieren. Es ermöglicht ihnen in Würde zu leben und für sich und ihre Familien zu sorgen. Es ermöglicht ihnen, ihre Fähigkeiten zu nutzen und ihr Potenzial voll auszuschöpfen. Es wird die psychische Gesundheit der Menschen im Asylsystem verbessern.

Deshalb sollten Flüchtlinge mit Respekt behandelt werden. Jeder einzelne Mensch verdient es, ein Leben in Sicherheit und Würde zu leben. Jeder einzelne Mensch sollte ein sicheres Leben in einem Haus und nicht in einem Zelt oder einer verlassenen Asylunterkunft führen.

Jeder einzelne Flüchtling verdient es zu leben und nicht nur zu überleben!

Ich fordere folgendes für Flüchtlinge in Flüchtlingslagern

Alle Flüchtlingslager sollten schnellstens geschlossen werden.

Den Flüchtlingen sollte man ein richtiges Zuhause geben.

Den Flüchtlingen steht eine ordentliche und faire Rechtsberatung in ihrem Asylverfahren zu.

Den Flüchtlingen sollte man mit gesundheitliche und psychische Beratungen unterstützen.

Ich fordere Folgendes für Flüchtlinge in europäischen Ländern

Ich fordere mehr Rechte für Asylbewerber und Flüchtlinge im Bereich Bildung, Weiterbildung, Beschäftigung, Aufenthalt und Integration. Ein regelmässiges Einkommen und eine ordentliche Aufenthaltserlaubnis reduzieren Kriminalität, Armut, Schein-/Zwangsheirat. Asylbewerber und Flüchtlinge in europäischen Ländern sollen ein schnelleres, faires und transparenteres Asylverfahren erhalten.

Menschlichkeit vor Nationalität! Wir müssen die Stimme der Stimmlosen sein und diese menschliche Tragödie ein für alle Mal beenden!

„Lily4Refugees“ ist mein Leidenschaftsprojekt. Ich bin Autorin, Bloggerin und Voice4Refugees. Ich bin ein ehemaliger Kriegsflüchtling, der seit fast drei Jahrzehnten unter dem Flüchtlingsgesetz gelitten hat. Mir wurde als Asylbewerberin und „geduldeten“ Flüchtling jegliche Rechte auf Bildung und Integration verweigert. Deshalb wähle ich als Petitionstitel „Menschlichkeit vor Nationalität“. Mein ganzes Leben lang wurde ich auf ein Stück Papier reduziert, und das machte mein Leben zur Hölle!

HUMANITY BEFORE NATIONALITY

You can sign the petition anonymously because we respect your privacy! 

It is horrifying and heartbreaking to witness the government's lack of will to find a solution that is beneficial for everyone. Why is this issue causing headaches for these highly educated and overpaid people in the governments, non-profit organizations, and charities? Why is it so difficult to find a simple and helpful solution that ends this broken integration system once and for all? Why are people who have come to Europe to seek safety treated like outcasts? Instead of taking care of these innocent people, they are sent to abandoned buildings outside the city centers or punished like criminals in refugee camps. Asylum seekers and Refugees are treated as if they are terrorists with a disease who should be removed from society, punished, and given life sentences like prisoners.

We have witnessed this horrible humanitarian crisis for over a decade. It is time to make a fundamental change and rescue the refugees from their life in misery. Refugees deserve a life of dignity. Safety and privacy, housing and food, medical and sociological care, and guidance for participating in the legal asylum-seeking process.

When people claim asylum, having left their homes and loved ones to escape conflict and persecution, they are desperate to start their lives from zero again. But the Refugee Law today makes it impossible for them in every possible way. Those who end up in refugee camps suffer as well as those who make it to European countries.

Tents and blankets are not the long-term solutions. It is finally time to REALLY help the helpless. Asylum seekers, refugees, and displaced humans have already lost everything. They shouldn’t be punished. They shouldn’t suffer under horrifying and inhuman conditions in refugee camps or abandoned buildings. Depression, serious health and mental issues, and social isolation are the consequences.

Asylum seekers and refugees are suffering in their adopted countries in European countries because they have no right to proper education, employment, and integration. Depression, serious health and mental issues, and social isolation are the consequences.

Every human being who seeks asylum should have the right to proper education, integration, and work in their adopted country in Europe. Giving asylum seekers and refugees the right to work will strengthen people’s chances of being able to integrate into their new communities. It will allow them to live in dignity and to provide for themselves and their families. It will allow them to use their skills and make the most of their potential. It will improve the mental health of people in the asylum system.

That’s why refugees should be treated with respect. Every single person deserves to experience life in safety and dignity. Every single person should live a safe life in a house and not in a tent or an abandoned asylum house.

Every single refugee deserves to thrive and not just survive! 

I demand the following for Refugees in Refugee Camps

Shut down the refugee camps.

Give the refugees a proper home.

Offer them legal advice in their asylum process.

Offer them health and mental care.

I demand the following for Refugees in European Countries

I demand more rights for asylum seekers and refugees in education, employment, residence, and integration. A regular income and a proper residence permit reduce crime, poverty, sham / forced marriages. Asylum seekers and refugees in European countries should get a faster and more transparent asylum process. 

Humanity Before Nationality! We need to be the voice for the voiceless and end this human tragedy once and for all!

“Lily4Refugees” is my passion project. I’m a writer, blogger, and Voice4Refugees. I’m a former war refugee that has suffered for almost three decades under the refugee law that stops asylum seekers and “tolerated” refugees from education and full integration. That’s why I choose “Humanity Before Nationality” as my petition title. All my life I was reduced to one piece of paper, and it made my life a living hell!

Design your own hope!

We need HOPE now more than ever! We all are going through difficult and challenging times and life has definitely changed for everyone since 2020. 

From 2005 till 2017 my lovely and talented mum Sima spent years working on three amazing fully handmade gowns for the black Madonna in the most beautiful abbey in Switzerland. Her only motivation was hope! She spent hours embroidering pearls and sequins.

When she first had the idea back in 2005 to design a gown for the black Madonna, she never thought about the impact that it would have on the abbey visitors from around the globe. People from all generations and religions visit the Abbey in Einsiedeln every year. My Mum just did it because it brought her joy and hope. She enjoys the creative process of designing and creating something from scratch. 

Witnessing desperate and sad people seating in front of the black Madonna, sharing and praying their deepest desires and wishes with a statue that is wearing my mum’s piece of art is a satisfying, overwhelming, and fulfilling feeling.

Hope is the most powerful feeling of all. Being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness and sadness is what keeps us all going through difficult and challenging times. Every one of us is different though and I honestly pity people who are not able to impress their feelings and emotions through creativity. 

As I mentioned in my previous posts, it is extremely important to design your own happiness, design your own paradise, and design your own joy. But hope is probably, if not definitely the most important one of all. Because totally without hope, one cannot live. Without hope and faith, we have nothing.

In desperate and lonely times learn to design your own hope and if it is something that also other people can benefit from and find their little piece of hope, the better!

In 2017 two of my mother’s gowns (the white and the blue one) were also exhibited along with other historical gowns from the black Madonna in the National Museum of Zurich “Das Landesmuseum Zürich”. That was like the cherry on the ice. And as if this was not enough it was also printed in an officially illustrated book “Madonnas Fashion” that was published by the abbey about the history of the Black Madonna’s gowns. You can also get a postcard of the first (white gown with pearls) at the abbeys souvenir shop!

So please remember whatever challenges and obstacles you are facing right now, never ever give up on HOPE! Everything can only get better! 

Q & A Interview with American Songwriter Debra Gussin

During this horrible global pandemic crisis, everyone was challenged in one or another way, which gave me the idea to feature a few creative guests in my summer blog series Corona & Creativity. 

My last guest in my blog series 2021 is the lovely multiple award-winning American songwriter and lyricist, Debra Gussin. She discovered her passion for music at the age of twelve. Her career would lead her on a journey through TV production and the entertainment industry until she won the Concord Records & Barry Manilow Songwriting Scholarship (four times), prompting Debra to shift her focus to creating songs.

Debra has been named Best Lyricist at the 2016 and 2017 HOLLYWOOD MUSIC IN MEDIA AWARDS, as well Best Adult Contemporary/AAA Song in 2013. In 2015, she won the UK Songwriting Contest with the song lyric "Best Actor" and in 2018 she became a Grammy-voting member of The Recording Academy. She is also a Grand Prize winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and has won several Film Festivals around the world in the categories of Best Original Song and Best Music Video.     

 

Debra is truly an inspirational and lovely lady. When she was asked if luck played a meaningful role in her life and business, her response was:

 

“I don’t really believe in bad luck. When I want something to happen, and it doesn’t, I try to look at it as being pointed in a different direction. I do my best to remain positive and open to what the universe brings my way.” 

Debra Gussin

Lovely Debra, thank you so much for being my blog guest. It is truly an honor. Tell me, what does creativity mean to you? 

To me, creativity means transforming your imagination and ideas into reality…generating something that didn’t exist before, or seeing something that does exist in a different way. 

As a lyricist, one moment there’s a blank page, and a period of time later, there are words on the page.  For an artist, it could be a blank page followed by a drawing, or an empty canvas followed by a painting.  

Creativity is what happens in between the blankness and the content.

What is your favourite creative activity?

My favorite creative activity is songwriting.  Coming up with a musical and lyrical creation from nothing, and ultimately making someone else feel something from that.

What is your favourite color?

My favorite color is blue.  Particularly navy blue and turquoise.

Do you think creative people are happier in general?

I’m a creative person, so I would like to say yes, but I don’t know that every creative person is necessarily happier than a less creative person.  Yet, in their own way, isn’t everyone creative at doing something?  A scientist can be creative in coming up with a cure for a disease, just as much as a songwriter can be creative in coming up with an idea that moves someone, makes them laugh or makes them cry.  

Creativity can be an outlet for one’s inner thoughts. Many people voice their emotions through their creations, using creativity as a form of therapy, healing, and figuring out life. 

If someone has a consistent way to express themselves, their moods, and experiences, I would think that would lead them to be happier in general, as they wouldn’t have to keep anything bottled up.  

On the other hand, if someone is creating something emotional, it might mean re-living a sad time in their life while drawing from that experience.  While it might not make them happy in that moment, later on they may find that working through that emotion helped them release the sadness related to it.

Just knowing that your creation may help someone also brings a sense of contentment.  Creative people feel most fulfilled and happy when they enrich the lives of others through their creations.

Would you say creativity is kind of a self-therapy?

Yes, it can be. Not everything one creates is necessarily therapeutic, but I think our life experiences certainly contribute to our creations, whether consciously or unconsciously.

As a lyricist and songwriter, I have the ability to create a character in a song, and give them the words and thoughts I might have wanted to say in a situation, but perhaps didn’t, or thought of it after the fact.  Similarly, a painter can come up with a scene that details their perspective on a situation.  

Would you say that creative people are more driven and disciplined?

I’m not sure whether drive and discipline are necessarily related to creating.  It can take a long time to create something that feels finished to the creator.  In songwriting, I re-write a lot until a song communicates what I want it to say.  Has it been said before?  How can I say it differently or in a fresh way, or in a way that an artist wouldn’t write it for themselves?  While that does take drive and discipline, to me that’s still part of the creative process.

Once a song feels finished to me (which doesn’t mean it actually is!), and it’s recorded in a way that best demonstrates the song I intended to write, that’s when my drive and discipline to get people to hear it come into play.  But that’s more of the business side of things, and not all creative people are adept at that aspect.  Many people like to move on to create their next project, and let someone else take care of the business part of their creations so that they can continue to create.

I think drive and discipline depend on an individual’s strength in that area, separate from the act of creating.  But the more of it you have, the more people you can hopefully get to experience your creations.

What did you create during Lockdown? 

I actually worked on holiday songs during lockdown.  Since the news around the world was filled with so much sadness, I tried to use the opposite emotion to create some happiness and positivity.  Santa was a big inspiration during that time, ho ho ho!

Were your creative skills natural or trained?

When it comes to songwriting, I would have to say both.  Growing up, I always had an inclination to rhyme.  So, that part is probably natural.  I also took many music classes in school, learning the violin, flute, guitar, piano, and sang in my school chorus.  I’m sure I’ve drawn on those early lessons without realizing it, as things learned in our youth can become second nature over the years.

But the craft of writing a song and lyrics, such as song structures, how words sing, and how they fit with melody, are definitely something that I had to be trained to do.  I’m grateful to a number of wonderful songwriters and teachers who have mentored me over the years, and I continue to learn from them.

Lovely Debra with my favorite TV character, Monk (Tony Shalhoub)

I love this man! :-)

A new study from researchers has found that women are engaged in creative fields like art, music and literature at higher rates than men and are generally more creative than men. What is your thought on that?

I haven’t heard of this new study that you mention, where more women are engaged in creative arts than men.  I work with many men when writing songs, and recently heard a statistic that only 2% of music producers are women.  In country music for example, radio plays mostly male artists, even though there are many female artists making music in that genre.  

It just might be a matter of the “powers that be” deciding which of those creators they will invest in to market and promote.  So perhaps in pop music we hear about more female artists, and in rock we hear about more male artists? 

Perhaps men and women are drawn to different areas of creating, but I think in general we’re all creating.    

Debra's inspiration from young age, the legendary Barry Manilow

Do you think being creative and productive is also related to season?

I tend to create more new songs in the winter months, at least first drafts and new ideas that I can work on and finish up throughout the rest of the year.  But in general, I create all year long, regardless of the season.  With regards to time of day, I’m more creative late at night.

Words that describe myself to your blog visitors? 

Storyteller, musical, lyrical, imaginative, innovative, authentic, enthusiastic, articulate, dynamic, productive, energetic, inquisitive, perceptive, insightful, sensitive, expressive, compassionate, empathetic, artistic, friendly, kind.

Debra with the crème de la crème of the Hollywood & Music industries

Debra, thank you again for being my summer blog guest, and best of luck with all your creative activities and music projects. You have motivated me to participate in this year's UK songwriting contest. I hope I can share positive news! 

If you like to know more about Debra Gussin, follow her on Social media or visit her website!

Website 

Instagram 

Facebook 

Twitter