The role of African immigrant associations in building social cohesion and coexistence in Catalonia, Navarra and Valencian Community. Differing viewpoints

Abstract

This article aims to analyse some possible contributions from organisations funded by immigrants from the African continent to the socio-cultural integration in three Regions in Spain. In order to do so, first there is a definition of integrations as a process, paying special attention to the role that national and international literature have given to the associations of immigrants. Afterwards, there is a focus on associations from people with an African origin, paying attention to the double view point, from one side the one from representatives from African associations and on the other, from administration technicians and representatives of social entities that collaborate with them. The point is to analyse the speech of those actors, about the reasons of its existence, the objectives and activities of the associations of Africans, for the associates themselves as well as for those immigrants from their countries and for the society that welcomes them. The elements in favour and against in the studied perspectives build an action field shared by both actors, in the process of construction of social cohesion and living partnership, but, at the same time, they suggest the existence of some limitations in itself.