MINORITIES AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY

I would like to start by saying that European societies (INV) have not only
become more and more ethnically diverse over the past decades, but immigration has
become one of the most pressing problems facing Europe today. For example, Spain,
and let's not forget that Spain is not a very multicultural country with about 46 million
people, of which five million are foreigners, and more than two million of them have
the right to vote, which implies between five and six percent of the total electorate.

Nevertheless, Spain's minorities feel underrepresented in politics and among other areas
of life. Although the number of foreign residents in Spain has grown to nearly 10% over
the past two decades, they are grossly underrepresented in Congress, where less than
one percent of MPs are ethnic minorities. They argue that if they lived in other
European countries, they would be more widely represented.

This shows a marked difference between Northern and Southern Europe: the further
south you go, the fewer MPs are citizens of immigrant origin. In Greece, where ethnic
minorities make up about eight percent of the population, only one percent of
parliament members are citizens of immigrant origin. In Italy, the figure is two percent.
Consequently, their representatives claim that our parliaments do not represent the
diversity within the population that they should represent, and, ideally, they should
reflect them.

In contrast, Nordic countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands or the United
Kingdom have a long tradition of immigration and this is reflected in their parliaments.
Compared to southern Europe, in the Netherlands and Great Britain about 10% of MPs
belong to different ethnic groups.Well, the very mayor of London is a British citizen of
Pakistani origin. Incidentally, football also reflects this higher level of diversity in the
Nordic countries, as their soccer teams and national teams have far more black players
than in southern Europe.

But I am afraid that not all that glitters is gold, and the appearance can be misleading in
relation to the Nordic countries.Well, I mean that, on the other hand, the countries of
Southern Europe could claim that in the 19th century they did not rule such large
colonial empires as France and Great Britain.

And that now explains why our societies are less multicultural than theirs. If they ruled
over such huge colonial empires, of course, they would also have larger immigrant
traditions.In conclusion, a greater integration effort by southern European countries is
necessary, but by no means we should consider this as a question of good boys and bad
boys, as it would be arguable.
 QUESTIONS

▪ What do you consider Southern Europe countries might do to promote higher

representation of ethnic minorities?
▪

▪ Well, I believe that over time this will be achieved naturally, since the larger the
multicultural population, the more representation in various spheres of society they will
achieve. But of course, this can be encouraged beyond the promotion of minorities in
visible areas of life, such as football, politics or cultural institutions. For example,
seeing blacks, Chinese or South Americans in leadership positions in politics or leading
a football team.

▪ Do you believe multiculturalism may enrich a country?

▪ Well ... I believe so in general, since greater integration of diversity is a sign of respect
and tolerance that enrich democratic life. But, of course, not all that glitters is gold.
Some practices, such as female genital mutilation, must be completely eradicated, or the
highest Western standards of respect for women must remain out of the question. But,
of course, our culture can be enriched with other spiritual traditions, languages, cuisines,
music or new outlooks on life in general.