Migrations Programme - [10/29/2009]

Interaction, integration and new citizens

On 16 and 17 October, the Council of Europe, in collaboration with Barcelona City Council, held the conference “Interaction between immigrants and the welcoming society. Learning from policy and practice”. Gemma Pinyol, Coordinator of CIDOB's Migrations Programme, participated in the event, which brought together almost 50 experts and professionals connected with the different administrations that work in processes for integrating immigrants. The participants, who came from a range of countries, including Great Britain, Belgium, France, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, Italy, Sweden, Croatia, Holland, Greece, Ukraine, Norway, Germany, Turkey and Armenia, discussed such key issues as: how to provide governments with an environment suitable for interaction between people of immigrant origin and autochthonous citizens? How can the sense of belonging and mutual recognition between autochthonous people and newcomers be stimulated? And how can we help to forge a collective identity and respect for common values and wealth of diversity?

During the conference, Daniel de Torres, Commissioner to the Mayor's office for Integration and Intercultural Dialogue, gave a presentation of the city’s experience and the work that is being carried out within the framework of the Barcelona Interculturality Plan.

For more information:
>> Pla Barcelona Interculturalitat
>> Council of Europe

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