PROFILE

Sabadell is a town in Catalonia and is the co-capital of Vallés Occidental region and, according to January 2013 data, has a total of 207,773 counted citizens. Close to the city of Barcelona (some 26 km) it is the fifth biggest city in Catalonia. In recent history, specifically the 19th and 20th centuries, the city spearheaded the industrialisation process in Catalonia, particularly the textile industry, becoming thus Spain’s most important wool centre, acquiring “the Catalan Manchester” as a nickname.

As of 2000, Sabadell has undergone a significant shift in its demographic as a result of the foreign immigration which has affected Spain in general. As such Sabadell has welcomed citizens from countries all over the world, including Latin America, Africa and Asia. This translates into an increase of foreign population from 1% to 11.65%, 13.2% at its peak in 2010 (source: Local Registers, National Statistics Institute). With regards to the counted foreign population profile, and in accordance with Jan 2013 data, 43.6% of the afore mentioned citizens are of Latin American original (mainly Bolivia and Ecuador), 30.9% are of African origin (generally Moroccan) and 7.11% of Asian origin (mainly China and Pakistan).

In light of this new socio-demographic situation and the challenges this reality poses, the town council established the Intercultural Council in 2006, which in 2007 was renamed the Office for New Citizens, offering welcoming, information and guidance services to newly arrived citizens. This office preceded the consequent Immigrants and Returning Catalan Residents law, approved by Catalonia’s parliament in 2010.

In the current 2012/16 administration immigration and coexistence policies are managed by the Council for Civil Rights and Citizens, which sets out in its Plan Director 2011/15 goals the following with regard to foreign residents: (i) continue the development of necessary tools for the welcoming of recent arrivals, with the help of the local community; (ii) promote creation of associations while supporting a network of powerful speakers working towards inclusion, diversity and civil rights in a bid to strengthen civil society; (c) citizen education, providing tools to confront prejudices and stereotypes, showing proactive approach in the struggle against perceptions, encouraging critical thinking; (d) encourage associations to projects promoting intercultural, inter-personal and inter-generational strategies which promote areas for association, experiences exchange and mutual understanding, placing high value on diversity.

YouTube videos

meetings

Anti-rumour agents meet in Sabadell

23 March 2015 Sabadell
On 9 February 2015, the anti-rumour agents met for the second time in Sabadell, Spain.  The main goal of this meeting was to inform and talk about the situation of the Communication for Integration...

Gastronomic month in Sabadell

10 Nov. - 5 Dec 2014 Sabadell, Spain
The Sabadell City Council suggests approaching its citizens to other cultures. To do so, a series of gastronomic events will be held during the lunch buffet at Escola d’Hosteleria, Vapor Llonch...

The Sabadell Bar Association has joined the Sabadell “Anti-Rumors” Network

The Sabadell Bar Association has joined the Sabadell “Anti-Rumors” Network, originally started by the City Council, in order to stop and deny the misconceptions, clichés and stereotypes regarding...

Action anti-rumour in a celebration of Solidarity Party

4 October 2014 Sabadell, Spain
The cultural event “Mostra de la Solidaritat” (Solidarity Show) was held on October 4th 2014, with more than 700 visitors attending the event and counting on the presence of the Anti-Rumour...

The Sabadell Anti-Rumours Network Introduces the European Project C4i Communication for Integration

The Sabadell City Council, also known as Casal Pere Quart, served hosted a presentation  by the C4i project, which is part of the project Teixint la convivència (promoting coexistence): Sabadell...

sabadell on the map

TABLECLOTH

VIDEO