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Jovesólides, ACOEC and Espai Obert El Marítim present 'The 15 proposals for the inclusion of migrants in the political sphere of the Valencian Community'.
The association Jovesólides, in collaboration with ACOEC and Espai Obert El Marítim, have presented 'The 15 measures for the inclusion of migrants in the political sphere of the Valencian Community'. This document is the result of the work carried out in a total of three advocacy roundtables, organized by the entities within the framework of the second edition of the 'School of Citizenship'. 
More than a hundred actors from the political, social, academic and communications fields have participated in the preparation of this document over the last few months. The ultimate goal: to promote the inclusion of migrants and work against their underrepresentation in the political arena at the regional level.
The event, held at the Ciutat Administrativa 9 d'Octubre, was conducted by Boutaina El Hadri, manager of Jovesólides. 'Three small organizations came together three years ago with a big dream: to start the path of migrants' inclusion in politics. Today, more than 100 actors from various fields have joined us and we are going to plant the seed of this great dream. Take note, take action: Migrants in politics now'.
El Hadri has also addressed a message to the political class. 'Out there anti-rights speech, hate speech and real and symbolic violence is creeping into our homes. We need you to step forward, we need a firm commitment, we need to occupy the spaces of representation to, together, say loud and clear that immigration is not a problem'.
The consellera d'Igualtat i Polítiques Inclusives, Monica Oltra, has been in charge of closing the second edition of the 'School of Citizenship'. In his speech, he spoke of the Valencian people 'as a land of welcome and full of miscegenation', which values diversity as the wealth it is, and wants to go 'much further than welcoming people who come and want to stay and be part of our lives'.
The vice-president stressed that in the current situation 'we must know how to weave a new society where everyone has a place with a dignified and fulfilling life'. In this sense, he congratulated Jovesólides, ACOEC and Espai Obert El Marítim for the organization of this conference because the rights and representation of migrants 'are key to advance these policies'.
The presentation of the document, whose measures were read by various voices from the social sphere, was followed by a political dialogue with the political leaders of the community's main political parties. In the dialogue, moderated by the communicator Mohamed El Amrani, participated: Pilar Lima, general secretary of Podem, Manolo Mata, deputy secretary of PSPV-PSOE, Estefanía Blanes, head of the Institutional Area of Esquerra Unida, Carles Esteve, deputy for Compromís in les Corts and Pep Todolí, deputy secretary of Civil Rights of the Popular party.
In the dialogue held, the representatives of the political parties reached many consensuses. Most parties argued that education is key to achieving social change.
'Education and empowerment are the key to making change possible and for change to persist,' said Estefania Blanes. The head of the Institutional Area of Esquerra Unida also claimed that it is 'essential' to change the Spanish Constitution to favor the inclusion of migrants in the political sphere.
As to whether a quota system could guarantee the integration of migrants into political life, the majority of political representatives questioned this measure.
'I'm not enthusiastic about talking about quotas. They have not been useful at a representative level. The public sector must rethink how to work in a more open way,' said Pilar Lima. In the same vein, Manolo Mata stressed that political parties are the end of the process: 'What is important are the associative movements that create leadership, that generate society. Likewise, Pep Todolí pointed out that the most important thing is to work from the grassroots and the neighborhoods, 'on the subject of quotas, I do not know if it will work'.
At the end of the day, the political representatives participating in the dialogue pledged to 'do their homework' and review the document presented today with their parties, in order to work towards implementing some of it in their upcoming programs.
'Representativeness cannot be limited to having a label. But it is true that within the institutions, within the government, there must be a real representation of society, and not only of a part of society that has traditionally occupied that position,' said Pilar Lima.
In his last intervention, Manolo Mata advocated the need to increase knowledge of political institutions in order to favor greater access of the migrant community to the political sphere. 'We cannot condemn migrants to be only a reflection of their migrant status. It is essential to understand the political phenomenon and that requires instruments.
For his part, Carles Esteve pointed out that his party could subscribe to all the measures. 'But I would especially select number 10 which talks about increasing links between migrant parties and associations, and I would expand it much more. We have to establish formulas that will last over time and change the agenda'.
The 'Citizenship School' is a pioneering initiative in Spain. The objective: to promote the social inclusion of migrants. After two editions, they have participated in a project funded by the Consellería d' Igualtat i Polítiques Inclusives and the Diputación de València.
