|
|
09 / 09 / 2004
Jordi Hereu: “Multiculturalism is not a synonym of insecurity”
The Councilor for Security and Mobility of the City Council of Barcelona took part in the workshop on “Security and cultural diversity: intercultural dialogue and mediation at the digital age”
Jordi Hereu, Councilor for Security and Mobility of the City Council of Barcelona stated today, “Multiculturalism is not a synonym of insecurity. On the contrary, multiculturalism should mean security but it is true that if there is a lack of adequate policies in place, these two concepts could be related.” In his address during the dialogue “Promoting Coexistence and Dialogue in the Information Society” Jordi Hereu referred to the increase “in the new migration flows” to Barcelona in the last five years and pointed that whereas in 1999 these accounted for 2.7% of the city population, this figure has reached 13% at present.
Although this percentage is low by comparison with other European countries, Hereu stated that, up until now, the city has not put in place policies that address this situation. He pointed, however, the “there is already a culture of reception and mixing” among the citizens of Barcelona.
In his opinion, “Security is much more that fighting against crime,” and he emphasized the importance of public spaces as spaces where democracy can be exercised by establishing relations between cultures aimed at creating security mechanisms.
Albert Serra, Professor of Public Management of ESADE and director of the program on migrations of the Fundació Jaume Bofill of Barcelona, referred to the public perception of insecurity and the concept of risk. “”Not knowing others is a factor of risk while knowing each other is the key to do away with fear.”
In his address to the dialogue, he advocated for the strengthening of democratic institutions that enable security while insisting, “If we are unable to ensure security people will look for it elsewhere.”
The workshop “Security and cultural diversity: intercultural dialogue and mediation at the digital age” presented several projects aimed at security, conflict resolution and work with vulnerable communities and groups from France, the United kingdom, Canada and Switzerland.
|
|
|
Send to a friend
print