On October 23, we undertook two activities:
Visit CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim
We arrived at CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim at 10:15 am with Mr. Rafael Hernández Arnaiz, where we had a tour of the site with Ms. Khadija El Mataalib, the Centre Coordinator, along with Ms. Merche from the Employment Programme, who served as our translator. The organisation’s mission is rooted in creating an inclusive society that promotes equality, intercultural cohesion, equal rights, gender equity, and solidarity.
Our meeting began with introductions and discussions about our ongoing project. Formerly known as CEPAIM, this organisation, now called CONVIVE, traces its roots back to 1994, when it initially focused on working with immigrants. However, the organisation’s scope has since broadened, encompassing all individuals in need. With a presence in 39 centres all across Spain, including seven offices in Murcia, CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim is actively involved in developing 288 projects in different categories such as international protection, employment, and more. Their ultimate goal is to foster an inclusive society where everyone enjoys equal rights and opportunities.
Programmes run by CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim
Humanitarian Care: This programme primarily focuses on non-regular immigrants awaiting a response from the Ministry. It caters to people who have arrived from the South Frontier in humanitarian emergency situations. These immigrants, who have arrived irregularly, can stay in CEPAIM for a month as per the Ministry’s allowance.
The organisation ensures they receive basic necessities such as housing, food, healthcare, and Spanish language lessons to aid in their integration. Immigrants are gradually transitioned from the Red Cross to CEPAIM or other similar entities and then to other social organisations such as ACCEM, Cruz Roja, and APRAM.
CEPAIM maintains five houses, where the living arrangements cater to men, women, and families. The migration dynamics change over time, with the organisation now seeing an increase in the number of families. The participants’ nationalities vary, contingent on global events and the Spanish government’s diplomatic efforts to relocate refugees.
CEPAIM’s primary aim is to ensure that people do not remain homeless and to provide them with language lessons and workshops on life and legal processes in Spain. The programme also includes recreational and cultural activities to facilitate integration.
Entrepreneurship and Employee Formation: This programme is designed to enhance the professional competencies of participants. The focus lies on developing soft skills, hard skills, and employability skills, covering subjects like economics.
Participants work on social entrepreneurship projects that create positive social and ecological impacts. The programme encourages participants to think outside the box, thus enabling them to thrive in diverse professional situations.
International Protection: This programme mainly works with regular immigrants who have asked for international protection, those who already have international protection or asylum, and individuals who are stateless (apátrida). Only those recommended by the Ministry of Social Security and Immigration are accepted into this programme.
CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim hosts a total of 60 participants, who can stay for 18 months or up to 24 months in special cases; this duration is divided into two phases. The first phase focuses on acquainting participants with their environment, offering access to medical facilities, providing assistance with the census, enrolling children in school, and organising social and cultural excursions. The Asylum and Refugee Office (OAR) and the Interministerial Asylum and Refugee Committee (CIAR), Spanish national organisations working with asylum seekers, play a crucial role in this process.
Those who receive a positive response from the Ministry proceed to the second phase, which promotes autonomy while providing economic support. The duration of stay depends on the Ministry’s response, and participants are encouraged to lead autonomous lives after 18–24 months. If their international protection request is denied, CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim ensures that they are not left homeless and helps them connect with family members or pursue other mobility options.
Community Coexistence and Interculturality: Social worker Marco Marchionni and anthropologist Carlos Giménez developed the methodology for this program, which is accessible in 15 different Spanish cities. The programmeme operates in three different projects in Cartagena: one in a village near Cartagena, one in the programmeme areas, and ICI located in the city centre. These projects focus on education, health, participation, and raising awareness through the sensitization of racism.
The programme is supported by social administration, technicians, and citizens, all working together to promote equal rights for everyone. Over time, the organisation adapts its activities to align with the evolving needs of the community, fostering inclusivity and awareness. They conduct round-table discussions that engage various stakeholders to ensure the programmes remain relevant and adaptable to the neighbourhood’s current needs.
Promoting Inclusivity and Awareness: The workshops conducted by CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim facilitate critical thinking, especially about news related to migrants. This includes discussions about the mass immigration and social assimilation that are prevalent today. The organisation encourages open-mindedness, empathy, and respect for human rights. They employ various strategies to challenge stereotypes, such as games with images that help break down stereotypes and change perceptions.
CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim emphasises that participants have both rights and duties. If a participant violates the rules, the organisation reports the situation to the Ministry, which then takes action based on the gravity of the situation. Although participants may be excused from the programme, it does not impact their international protection process.
The organisation also collaborates with companies to promote hiring immigrants, advocating for the enriched values of working in a multicultural environment. CONVIVE Fundación Cepaim receives funding from various sources, including the government, donations, and European funds, among many other sources.
By applying these learnings, organisations and individuals can actively contribute to advancing inclusivity, equity, and diversity in society.
