In recent years, a rebound in xenophobic ideologies and the after-effects of the economic crisis have led to situations creating segregation and an increase in racist attitudes in many of Madrid’s neighborhoods. With a view to preventing and/or avoiding conflicts of a racist and xenophobic nature, the Ibn Battuta Foundation proposes the promotion of activities to drive and inspire social cohesion, integration and peaceful co-existence. Creating spaces for debate and interaction, where we can move forward from diagnosing difficulties to sharing experiences and positive proposals, in which diversity becomes a source of richness and stimulating challenges that allow mature, democratic societies to grow, advance and enrich themselves within a context of global citizenship. At this round table discussion, the objective is to increase the visibility of intercultural empowerment experiences in different fields, as well as proposals for an intercultural society, both from a more theoretical vantage point in universities, and in the form of real activities that are already being worked on through public services.

This day of events shall attempt, on the one hand, to spur joint thought about the concept of interculturalism, which involves a relationship of sharing, on the basis of which each party can construct something new that it could not have constructed on its own independently. And on the other hand, it is meant to increase the awareness of those participating about the prejudices and stereotypes which affect our co-existence, but from the positive perspective of good practices and practical experiences in taking action, providing sources of reflection and inspiration.

The event will be presented by Pedro Martínez-Avial, the General Director of Casa Árabe, and Mohammed Chaib Akhdim, president of the Ibn Battuta Foundation.

With the participation of:

-Mohamed Lemrini, a communication expert. “The image of Moroccans in the Spanish press.”
-Zenib Laari, a world champion in personal defense, with a Master’s degree in Spanish as a foreign language, with “Racism divides, sports unite.”
-Miriam Hatibi, spokeswoman for the Ibn Battuta Foundation. “Fighting racism through communication: telling alternative stories.”
-Fath El Hamzaoui, a political scientist and human rights activist, with “New objectives for an intercultural society.”
-Nessrin El Hachlaf Bensaid, who is responsible for the Legal Section of the ibn Battuta Foundation in Madrid. “Mechanisms for denunciation used by victims of discrimination due to racial or ethnic origin.”  
-Carolina Coldeira Fernández, an agent with the Diversity Management Unit of the Madrid City Police. “Tools to fight racism, xenophobia and other forms of intolerance intended for cities and, especially, community police.”

Moderated by: Mohamed Said Ribbi Khalifi, youth coordinator for the Ibn Battuta Foundation in Madrid.