BESARKADAK - Emmaüs International

Key areas

Education

Region/country

Spain
Europe

THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

The people of Gipuzkoa have always been diverse and welcoming, as we have seen with the solidarity response from these people in light of the refugee/migrant crisis – aiding these people who are fleeing conflict situations, violence and rights violations which prevented their development in their countries of origin. A cohesive, diverse society is one which is based on principles of interculturality, which pays attentions to the uniqueness of all of the different people in society and which feeds off this diversity. We hope to offer a response to the challenge of supporting and participating in processes for social cohesion by embracing cultural diversity in Gipuzkoa.

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Our goal is to set up forums and relationships to encourage collaborative exchange between people, social entities and local economic stakeholders by using mechanisms similar to time banks and collaborative exchange. Besarkadak wants to be Gipuzkoa’s symbol of hospitality and solidarity towards migrants and refugees. The idea is one led by people and which intends to bring different cultures closer together, to respect other people’s traditions and to lead a right-based approach. Through these fora for exchanging experiences and capabilities we hope to promote the skills that each and every person possesses and can offer to others, and all of this will be achieved through exchange and with the participation of ordinary citizens. There are physical fora, which are based on different topics, and our website also provides us with an online forum. Furthermore we are also working on the Universal Citizenship passport and trying to create working groups with other associations who have a lot of experience with migrants and refugees.

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

3 female companions from Emaús Fundación Social Donostia and companions from Emaús Fundación Social.

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

This is all about highlighting the skills and capabilities that we all possess and which need to be developed in order to progress on a personal and social level.Creating fora and relationships of mutual knowledge and learning between people who were born in the region and those people who have moved to the region (migrants and refugees). Working together to squash stereotypes which stem from a lack of knowledge about one another.

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Little by little we are becoming better known thanks to the fora created and which are given different themes –re-using furniture or multicultural meals. The number of people participating in this initiative is on the rise. Little by little we have more associations interested in participating in these fora either as groups or as individuals via our website www.besarkadak.com