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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE May 14, 2007
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| April 19, 2007 |
Las Palmas, Spain – Many Immigrants, One Island |
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| High school students learn about cultural diversity at El Patio de las Culturas |
In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea sit the Canary Islands. Situated between Africa and Europe, the islands attract many immigrants from the neighboring continents seeking a new beginning. To address this influx of migrants and their needs, El Patio de las Culturas was formed. Made up of 5 organizations, it has an emphasis on cultural readjustment, local support and understanding of newly arrived immigrants. Peace Boat organized an exchange programme to this center when the ship called into Las Palmas on April 19, 2007. |
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| Participants giving a presentation on Peace Boat at El Patio de las Culturas |
Immigrants are often misrepresented in the Spanish media. Newspaper front pages depict photographs of people arriving by boat in droves, between 200 -1300 people a day. However in actuality only 12 per cent of immigrants are ‘boat people.’ It is this type of media distortion that causes intolerance among locals to rise. The media also give the impression that many of the immigrants are from Africa, yet only 10 per cent are from there while approximately 52 per cent are from Europe. |
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| Edna speaks about her experiences as an immigrant |
During the programme, participants heard first hand testimonies from immigrants. Edna from Cape Verde, who came to Las Palmas 3 months ago, gave a moving testimonial. “I walked and walked, I looked out at the sea, I shouted ‘I am not human but an immigrant’ I have no legal papers.” When asked what she was running away from, Edna answered “my family, culture, debt, responsibility. I left my heart behind. But since being here I have started studying and hope to find a job in the near future.” |
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| Veronica talks about life in Spain after leaving Ecuador |
Veronica from Ecuador, another immigrant who is also a representative of Caritas, a Spanish-based NGO that gives support to immigrants, spoke about her personal reasons for migrating. “Ecuador experienced a brain drain, meaning more than half of the highly educated left in search of better jobs overseas.” Since living abroad in Belgium and Spain, Veronica has met with the Ecuadorian diaspora community to make a union and help their fellow country people still in Ecuador from abroad. Veronica has a different story to tell of her choice to live in Spain “Don’t look at immigrants as only a problem. I’m highly educated and choose to live here. Living overseas has made my life richer and closer to my culture.” |
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| Sampling local dishes for lunch |
Aiming to help both immigrants and locals adjust as much as possible, El Patio de las Culturas has implemented many cultural exchange activities and awareness workshops in which the community can be actively involved. Example include the numerous festivals held to promote cultural diversity, and youth camping trips for young people of different ethnic backgrounds to help bridge cultural gaps by working and living together. |
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| Cuban dance classes |
Participants had a chance to reflect on the personal accounts of migrating. “They support people who can not support themselves,” said one participant, “For those wanting a better life, a new start, such NGOs make the transition less painful. I started thinking about the situation in Japan and how immigrants are supported there, are we doing enough?” “What can we do to improve the situation?”, asked many Peace Boat participants. Veronica’s reply was to “show interest, give support and learn about the issues.” |
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| Participants giving Japanese cultural workshops to high school students |
In addition to language classes, youth workshops and inter-school programmes, El Patio de las Culturas assists immigrants with daily life needs such as housing, advice on employment rights and general information to make their adjustment easier. They work closely with other NGOs to lobby for greater awareness of immigrants' rights within the Canary Islands, as well as for social justice and cross cultural understanding. |
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