integration
Is it hard to integrate into society in Barcelona as an expat? The international community in Catalonia respond
Migrant children: integration through popular culture
As unaccompanied minors continue arriving in Catalonia, popular culture may help them feel welcomed
Catalan Government strongly criticises Spanish Minister for linking jihadism with immigration and independence
The Spanish Home Affairs Minister, Jorge Fernández Díaz, linked Islamic terrorism with immigration and organisations working for Catalonia's independence. Fernández Díaz made this controversial statement last week, after the Catalan Government's Police Force arrested 11 alleged jihadists in Greater Barcelona. His words were reacted to by Catalan politicians and opinion makers. However, Fernández Díaz and other members of the Spanish Government have insisted on linking jihadist terrorism with the peaceful movement for Catalonia's independence as well as with immigration in general. On Tuesday, the Catalan Minister for the Presidency, Francesc Homs, accused Fernández Díaz of acting in "a total reckless" way, an attitude that puts "the entire Spain in danger". The Spanish Minister replied to this, saying that he rejected any "lessons about security" from those who want to split from Spain.
The People’s Party (PPC) puts immigration at the centre of its campaign
In the last months, the Catalan branch of the Conservative People’s Party (PPC) raised controversy in breaking a taboo in Catalan-level politics: using immigration as a political tool. Many actions were performed earlier linking immigration with insecurity. such as spreading leaflets. Yesterday a videogame where the PPC's leader was shooting at illegal immigrants was put online and, after the complains, shut down. Last week, the PPC’s President and candidate, Alícia Sánchez-Camacho proposed an “integration contract” for immigrants that, if not respected, will enable public powers to expel immigrants. The rest of the parties accused the PPC of being xenophobic and populist.
Immigration in Catalonia drops 1% in a year
The drop is primarily in the male immigrant population, while the female population experienced a slight increase.
Guissona becomes first municipality in Catalonia where foreign citizens are a majority
Guissona, in the centre of Catalonia, has a large immigrant population, which now represents 50.08% of the village’s population. The reason is that Guissona hosts the largest company in the province, the Cooperativa Agropecuària de Guissona (CAG), a meat processing business. 90% of Guissona’s population is employed.
Lleida finally approves full-face veil ban in public institutions
The Lleida City Hall approved the controversial ordinance that prohibits the use of headwear in municipal buildings, including the burqa or niqab, as well as helmets or other clothing fully covering the face. Islamic local groups are at odds as to whether or not the ban is justified. The ban does not apply to the street, private spaces or buildings owned by other public instituitions.
World’s first virtual museum of Roma people in Catalonia opens
The website is part of an integral plan agreed on between the Roma community’s representatives and the Catalan Government. The museum opens in a moment of debate in France about the Roma people’s integration, which has been brought to Catalonia by the Catalan branch of the Conservative People’s Party (PPC)
Catalan schools integrate newcomers
President Montilla visited a new centre for foreign children?s´ educational integration. These centres are the first step for integration when a student coming from abroad joins a school in Catalonia.