Comillas leads the debate to stop discrimination and promote the inclusion of migrants in Spain

The University Institute for Migration Studies (IUEM) of Comillas Pontifical University, together with the Public Space Foundation, has organised the meeting "Building Bridges: Migration and Social Transformation", within the framework of the Breaking I+D+i Project funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation. The objective: to generate proposals that favour social cohesion and curb discrimination against migrants in Spain.

The event brought together experts, intercultural mediators and citizens in a participatory format that included a World Café and a round table moderated by the Afghan journalist Khadija Amin. Discussions addressed key issues such as everyday micro-aggressions, emotional health, identity, bureaucratic barriers and access to basic rights such as housing, employment, health and education. The conclusions were clear: integration cannot be the responsibility of migrants alone, but institutions, society and the media must guarantee rights and promote coexistence.

During the meeting, the results of the Breaking Survey, which questioned more than 1,600 migrants in Catalonia, Madrid and the Basque Country, were presented. The data reveal that 75% of them have suffered some kind of discrimination, with a higher incidence among people of African and American origin. The impact of migratory mourning and the lack of access to essential services were also highlighted, as well as the need to combat institutionalised discrimination.

Mercedes Fernández, director of the IUEM, gave a very positive assessment of the conference and highlighted "the need to make the attainment of regularity status and subsequently full citizenship more flexible as a way to achieve a more cohesive society".

The event concluded with a call to include migrants in decision-making spaces and to promote inclusive policies, community networks and tools to stop the hoaxes that fuel hate speech. "Guaranteeing rights and building bridges is key to a cohesive society," the organisers stressed.