Funding body: Pluralism and Coexistence Foundation 

Duration: 2019-2020

IP: Gorka Urrutia Asua

Research Team: Eduardo J. Ruiz Vieytez, José Ramón Intxaurbe and Mariana Rosca

Summary: The aim is to study the various models of managing religious diversity in comparable urban spaces and connect relevant researchers in this field to design a research project that will provide relevant information on the most successful strategies for the effective participation and integration of religious diversity in the management of urban areas.

Reference: DER2017-82466-R 

Funding entity: Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness

Funding amount: €19,360

Duration: 2018-2020

PI: Joana Abrisketa (University of Deusto).

Research team:
Javier González Vega (University of Oviedo), Paula García Andrade (Pontifical University of Comillas), Felipe Gómez Isa, Laura Gómez Urquijo, María Nagore Casas, Steffen Rasmussen, Sergio Caballero, Cristina Churruca and José Ramón Intxaurbe (University of Deusto).

Working group:
Elspeth Guild (University of Nijmejen), Thomas Gammeltoft (University of Aarhus), Violeta Moreno-Lax (Queen Mary University, London), Silvia Morgades (Pompeu Fabra) and Carmen Pérez Gónzález (University of Carlos III, Madrid) and David Fernández Rojo (University of Deusto).

Summary

1. Starting point. In view of the failure of the European Common Asylum System and the reforms that the EU's asylum policies are currently undergoing, the project aims to move forward with a plan of realistic and sustainable recommendations. The intention is to improve the EU’s asylum process both internally and externally. 

To date, studies on EU asylum policies have approached the subject from either the internal or external dimensions, but have not been based on a vision of both policies in a joint convergent manner. The value of this project lies precisely in contributing an analysis that addresses this reality from the complexity and connection of both dimensions.

2. Hypothesis. First: EU asylum policy falls within the global tendency to stop forced immigration, which is seen as a threat to stability and scarcely takes into account other more realistic long-term policies such as regularisation of said immigration and adoption of measures against human trafficking. Second: the mechanisms of the Common European Asylum System which is now in effect do not address the solidarity principle or the guarantee of enforceable rights in the EU and its member states. However, the current reforms do not reverse this orientation. Third: the external dimension of asylum, in other words, cooperation with third counties assumed by the EU and its member states, may raise controversy concerning competences in the EU and their compliance with the human rights of possible applicants for international protection.

3. Objectives: Propose an Asylum Recommendations Plan (ARP) in the EU, targeting its institutions and member states (objective 1). The global tendency of migratory policies which ban entry and their connection with EU measures will be analysed (objective 2); the deficiencies of the Common European Asylum System will be assessed, as well as reforms of the internal dimension (objective 3) and the instruments used by the EU and its member states with third countries to manage the external dimension of forced migration (objective 4).

Duration: 2018 -2020

Work Team (University of Deusto): Cristina Churruca, Sonia de Pablo and Maite Sagasti

Summary:
The European Approach to Quality Assurance for Joint Programmes is a huge step forward in removing barriers to quality assurance for joint programmes. This approach makes it possible for an EQAR registered body to carry out a single quality assurance procedure for a joint programme using the agreed European criteria and methodology. The results of this single quality assurance procedure should be accepted by the other EHEA countries participating in the joint programme. However, three implementation problems can be expected in relation to accreditation and recognition; the employability of graduates of joint programmes; and the transparency of the quality assurance status of joint programmes. 

The main objective of the project will be to support the efficient implementation of the European approach to quality assurance of joint programmes. This objective will be achieved through the successful achievement of the following objectives:
1. To identify the main obstacles in the implementation of the European Approach in the European Higher Education Area in general, and in the project partner countries in particular
2. To support the partner quality assurance agencies in the implementation of accreditation procedures for programmes based on the European Higher Education Area (ex ante and ex post)
3. Supporting partner higher education institutions in the pursuit of external accreditation based on EA.
4. Development of a toolkit for the implementation of EA (set of recommendations and proposed solutions for policy makers and quality assurance agencies)

Further information

Financiación:
24.200 euros

IP:
Dolores Morondo
 

Investigadores:
Cristina de la Cruz, Elena Ghidoni, José Ramón Intxaurbe, Tina Magazzini, Asier Martinez de Bringas, Mariana Rosca, Eduardo Ruiz, Gorka Urrutia, Encarnación La Spina.

Resumen

El proyecto propone avanzar en el estudio de los fenómenos de desigualdad compleja (también llamada interseccional, múltiple, cumulativa) con la finalidad de producir indicadores útiles para el diseño y la evaluación de políticas públicas en materia de igualdad y lucha contra las discriminaciones. El proyecto parte de la hipótesis, avalada por la literatura científica y por informes recientes de organismos estatales, de que en España la investigación relacionada con los fenómenos de desigualdad compleja, en los que interaccionan factores diversos (religión, raza, status migrante, clase económica) y dinámicas diferentes (interseccionalidad, asociación, estereotipización), necesita un ulterior esfuerzo de revisión conceptual y de diagnosis de las fuentes normativas y sociológicas para poder generar dichos indicadores. La investigación propuesta se vale de la experiencia del equipo de investigación en proyectos anteriores, que se centraban en el estudio de las demandas y mecanismos de gestión de la diversidad religiosa, para analizar la complejidad de diversos casos de desigualdad que ponen la religión en relación con otros factores como la raza u origen étnico, el estatus migrante o la clase económica. Los objetivos que se plantean son: 1) revisar los elementos que caracterizan los fenómenos de desigualdad compleja tanto desde el punto de vista teórico como metodológico, escogiendo aquéllos que puedan funcionar como indicadores, 2) realizar un estudio diagnóstico de las fuentes normativas y sociológicas relativas a fenómenos de desigualdad compleja que permitan aplicar los indicadores, y 3) formular unos estudios de caso que permitan la validación del aparato teórico y la experimentación del conjunto de fuentes normativas y sociológicas así como de los indicadores identificados.

Financiación:
Proyecto H2020 financiando por la Comisión Europea

IP:
Cristina Churruca Muguruza
 

Investigadores:
Patricia García Amado y Catalina Uzcanga Lacabe

Resumen

Partiendo de un diagnóstico de las debilidades, fortalezas y retos de la formación en construcción de la paz y prevención de conflictos (CPPC) en Europa, PeaceTraining.eu busca optimizar las capacidades formativas de la UE en este sector con el objetivo de adaptar los cursos y actividades ofertadas a la realidad y los retos de la construcción de la paz. Con esta meta se propone revisar las actuales concepciones y currículos formativos de la CPPC para los múltiples sectores implicados en esta labor; desarrollar e introducir nuevos conceptos y métodos de formación; e implicar a expertos y actores en la identificación de prácticas, requisitos, retos y necesidades de la formación en este ámbito.
El resultado principal de este proyecto será la creación de un currículo de referencia en la formación en CPPC adaptable al nivel de experiencia, público objetivo y temática a abordar. Este currículo será la base de una plataforma web que proporcionará información sobre centros de entrenamiento y formadores, facilitando la búsqueda de formación en CPPC en Europa y la puesta en contacto de actores de construcción de la paz y formadores, además de la creación de una librería de buenas prácticas.

Financiación:
Proyecto de la Diputación Foral de Bizkaia, convocatoria 2016 de proyectos Bizkailab, Bizkaia Solidarioa ref. 2016-0000210 Think Tank 2016: Derechos Humanos y Cooperación. 01/01/2016-31/12/2016. 10.000€
 

IP:
Encarnación La Spina
 

Investigadores:
Trinidad L. Vicente, Gorka Urrutia, Dolores Morondo

Resumen

El campo específico de estudio del proyecto es el análisis de los diferentes procesos de acogida e integración de la población refugiada en el territorio foral de Bizkaia. Los procesos de integración son una realidad de estudio de capital importancia no solo en la Unión Europea sino precisamente en contextos sociales específicos como las ciudades y las provincias que en definitiva son quiénes deben afrontar los desafíos diarios de atención a las necesidades específicas de la población refugiada y garantizar la convivencia intercultural. No en vano, la crisis europea del sistema de asilo ha puesto en evidencia la necesidad de una mayor coordinación interinstitucional en los procesos de integración y acogida y también está siendo una ventana de oportunidad para introducir cambios y mejoras en el diseño de sus futuras áreas de intervención social de lo global a lo local. A tal propósito, entre los objetivos de esta investigación, se plantea evaluar de forma crítica la capacidad de los diferentes dispositivos de acogida existentes, los programas implementados desde las diferentes administraciones públicas y ONG’S así como proponer buenas prácticas y medidas de actuación prioritarias que conduzcan a la mejora de dichos procesos de integración en Bizkaia.

Financiación
Programa de Ayudas a Proyectos de investigación Aristos Campus Mundus, ref. ACM 2016_24. 17/03/2016-17/11/2017. 11.950€
 

IP:
Trinidad L. Vicente, Juan Iglesias Martínez,
 

Investigadores:
Gorka Urrutia, Dolores Morondo, Encarnación La Spina, José Manuel Aparicio, María José Castaño

Resumen

Las dimensiones de la llamada crisis migratoria en Europa han reactualizado la agenda de investigación sobre migraciones forzosas, asilo y refugio en España, especialmente todas aquellas que tienen que ver con el acceso al territorio español a través de la llamada Frontera Sur, y con las procesos de reubicación y reasentamiento de solicitantes de asilo y refugiados en el espacio europeo. Una de las cuestiones relevantes que surge en este contexto tiene que ver con la acogida y posterior integración de solicitantes de asilo y refugiados en España. Un campo donde el conocimiento acumulado aunque creciente presenta todavía lagunas de estudio y observación sobre la deficiente gestión de las políticas migratorias europeas. Siguen existiendo, pues, múltiples interrogantes sobre las trayectorias de dichos migrantes forzosos, y la capacidad de los dispositivos, los mecanismos de protección y medidas que desde la administración pública y la sociedad civil se llevan a cabo para acompañarlas. Se trata de una realidad de estudio de capital importancia dado que dichos procesos de acogida e integración influirán decisivamente en su incorporación a la sociedad española y, finalmente, en la consideración pública del fenómeno. Esta investigación se inserta en este contexto social y de investigación, tratando de sumarse al conocimiento acumulado sobre la cuestión, y revelar nuevas realidades y datos empíricos sobre la realidad de los centros de acogida, pisos tutelados, lugares tradicionales de reunión de la población en España durante el periodo 2009-2015.

Objectives

The Time of Human Rights Network aims to analyse the role of human rights in contemporary societies from a global perspective, identifying the challenges and suggesting solutions that strengthen and expand the rule of law.

The comprehensive analysis of human rights proposed by the Network is directed to achieving practical outcomes. The purpose is to fill a traditional gap in work on human rights: being primarily centred in either theory or practice.

Accordingly, departing from a theoretical study, the analysis offers measures to shape public policy, design institutions and human rights agents’ course of action; it proposes responses to the great human rights challenges in the 21st century and establishes teaching and socialisation of human rights to raise social awareness of their value.


With respect to the above, the following specific objectives can be highlighted:

• Promote quality research on human rights.
• Monitor European and national regulations on human rights and elaborate public policy proposals from a human rights perspective.
• Study, analyse, exchange and create methodological proposals and didactic resources related to education in human rights at all levels.
• Create a space for exchange as well as communication channels between the academic world and social agents.
• Promote and strengthen the social awareness of human rights; encouraging citizens to be aware of their rights and demanding of them.
  
   

Activities

The main activities carried out by the Network are as follow:

• Conduct research projects on contemporary human rights challenges.
• Organise scientific meetings.
• Strengthen publications.
• Enhancement of human rights postgraduate courses and training programmes.
• Design of new human rights teaching methods, with particular focus on clinical methods.
• Elaboration of proposals for the design of public policy.

Participants

The Time of Human Rights Network is formed by the 12 teams in the project entitled Consolider Ingenio 2010 “Time of Human Rights” and includes another 3 groups from a number of inter-university institutions and centres, which are a reference point in education, research and dissemination of human rights on the national and international scene.

1.Carlos III University of Madrid, Bartolomé de las Casas Institute of Human Rights.
2.The University of Deusto, Padre Arrupe Institute of Human Rights
3.University of Valencia, Institute of Human Rights.
4.Institute of Human Rights of Catalonia.
5.University of Valladolid, Human Rights Observatory
6.University of Jaén, Gregorio Peces-Barba Observatory.
7.Jaume I University, Human Rights Effectiveness Research Centre
8. “Information society and human rights” Laboratory, University of Vigo.
9.University of Zaragoza, Social rights implementation and effectiveness laboratory.
10.University of la Rioja, Socio-Legal Research Observatory of Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
11.University of Seville, “IT, Logic and Law” Research Team.
12.University of Cadiz, “Comparative Constitutional Law” Research Team.
13.University of Cantabria, Philosophy of Law Team.
14.Rovira I Virgili University of Tarragona, Philosophy of Law and Political Philosophy Team, Department of Public Law.
15. University of Alcalá, Legal Clinic of the Law Faculty.

Research areas

The project is focused on ten areas related to the contemporary human rights challenges: 

• Rights in the context of ethics, politics and law
• Organisation and international justice
• Democracy, governance and participation
• Implementation and effectiveness of human rights
• Multiculturalism
• Science and technology
• Economic, social and cultural rights
• Development and environment
• Vulnerable groups
• Freedom and security

Organisation chart

The Network is structured in different platforms- Education, Research and Dissemination- designed for the specific research areas mentioned above. A number of activities make up the different platforms:

The Research Platform seeks to develop the main study areas of the research programme: the key contemporary human rights challenges. The following activities are included: Publishing The Age of Human Rights Journal, Time of Human Rights Papers, preparation of “The Time of Rights” reports, which have a practical focus, “The Time of Rights” scientific meetings (on the thematic areas of network participants and other researchers).

The Educational Platform transfers the research results to the field of education, both postgraduate studies and courses for workers and professionals from the field of rights. The platform has three main activities: web-based postgraduate courses, directed to groups, professionals and legal clinics.

Finally, the Dissemination Platform ensures the adequate transfer of activities and their outcomes, and helps them reach institutions-companies-society. The platform has three main activities: creation of a webpage and social network accounts, holding a yearly conference “The Time of Rights” (Zaragoza 2015, Cádiz 2016) and publishing HURI AGE, a webpage with the titles of papers done by the Network, some of which are accessible online organized by thematic areas.

The academic nature of the Network and the excellence of its teams make HURI AGE an ideal tool for postgraduate education in human rights. It comes as no surprise that the main Spanish PhD and Master's programmes are integrated in the Network.

Publications

The researchers and centres in the Network conduct a significant research in the field of human rights, which is reflected in research journals, books and monographic series.

Some of this research is published in The Age of Human Rights Journal and the “The Time of Rights” Papers, jointly with works by other researchers.

Postgraduates degres

• Master’s degree in Advanced Studies in Human Rights, Carlos III University of Madrid.
• Ph.D. Programme in Advanced Studies in Human Rights, Carlos III University of Madrid.
• Master’s degree in Human Rights, Democracy and International Justice, University of Valencia.
• Ph.D. Programme in Human Rights, Democracy and International Justice, University of Valencia.
• Erasmus Mundus Human Rights Policy & Practice, University of Deusto.
• PhD programme in Human Rights: Ethical, Social and Political Challenges, University of Deusto.
   

Courses

• Annual Human Rights Course, Institute of Human Rights, University of Catalonia
  The aim of many social change initiatives is a fairer society where the effectiveness of human rights can become a reality. Beyond the fundamentals and aim of these initiatives, human rights serve as a roadmap for a multi-layered and multi-sectoral course of action. There is no law or public and private action which does not impact the rights and dignity of the individual.
  During the course, the current situation of certain rights will be analysed and mechanisms to protect them will be studied. Groups and people who work to avoid their infringement will share their experiences, alternatives or new insight into human rights for a real social transformation
• Training programme for Indigenous Leaders of Latin-America, University of Deusto.
  The training programme in human rights directed to indigenous peoples has been running since the year 2000. It is a result of collaboration between the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Pedro Arrupe Institute of Human Rights at the University of Deusto. It supported by the Directorate of Development Cooperation, Basque Government Department of Housing and Social Affairs

Further information

Webpage: http://redtiempodelosderechos.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Red_HURIAGE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/huriage
 

Project title:
A new conceptual framework for protection in forced population displacements

 

Funding:
MICINN (Ref. CSO2011-25202)

 

Principal investigator:
Cristina Churruca Muguruza

 

Overview

This projects looks to introduce new theoretical and conceptual perspectives to overcome gaps in protection of internally displaced persons. It aims to set up a conceptual and operational framework suitable for their protection. This analytical and comparative work makes use of case studies to which it integrally applies two corpus of social theories: critical theories of space and territory and social networks theories.

Adequate protection of displaced persons is difficult to achieve due to the lack of a conceptual theoretical framework that defines this protection: It is difficult to design protection programmes without knowing exactly what protection means to the displaced persons or the players related to this phenomenon. Nor it is easy to assess the objectives of the programme or involve the displaced people and the players responsible for their protection. Against this background, the process of preventing displacement and finding long term solutions becomes vague and ineffective, which is shown by different studies on displacement. This study will make it possible to define a theoretical-conceptual framework for protection of displaced persons.

 

General aims

• Define the characteristics of the progress, limitations and deficiencies in the existing system of humanitarian protection for displaced persons in view of the critical approach set forth in theories of space and territory and social networks.
• Define how displaced persons and humanitarian players perceive, define and protect their safe space to achieve their aims.
• Identify how displaced persons and humanitarian players interact with other agents to create effective networks of influence to protect their space.
• Integrate all of the above in a model which explains the complex adaptative system that would open up possibilities for acting to achieve protection.

This project looks to study the socio-political organisation practices of indigenous communities which enjoy a significant level of self-government and compare them with international law on human rights, with ethics and political philosophies.

The research aims are as follow:

1) study the presence of cosmovision in the Nasa and Tseltal peoples' types of self-government (at the different levels);
2) contrast these types of self-government with human rights requirements, taking cultural differences into account;
3) propose, if applicable, initiatives fostering the best possible harmonisation between social practices and human rights;
4) place the various findings in a framework of intercultural dialogue on human rights regarding issues such as secularity or religious pluralism.


The research team brings together researchers from three universities (University of Deusto; Ibero American University, Mexico; Xavierian University of Cali) and the indigenous communities concerned. The approach is interdisciplinary (anthropology-sociology, ethics and political philosophy, law, gender studies).
 

The aim of this project is to describe and analyse religious diversity in Basque society today.

It focuses on showing the most complete possible panorama of this plurality, identifying the religious communities that exist in the Basque Autonomous Community. The project also reflects on the need to accommodate human rights when balancing religious identities with membership in political communities. Analysis focuses on in-depth study of the need to manage religious diversity as a characteristic of present and future society. The purpose of the project is to draft recommendations for Basque public institutions, hence enabling them to proportionally and reasonably satisfy the most pressing demands of minority religious communities in public spaces in the Basque Autonomous Community.

The project originated from an initiative of the Pluralism and Coexistence Foundation, continued by the Ignacio Ellacuria Social Foundation and the Institute of Human Rights, with the collaboration of the UD Faculty of Theology. The working team brings together 10 researchers from different disciplines.

The main aim of this project is to analyse the role of international cooperation in helping Colombia to prevent forced displacement and protect displaced populations.

It looks to identify how international cooperation fosters development of an integral policy on prevention of displacement. It also aims to promote effective protection of displaced communities and populations at risk of displacement from a humanitarian perspective. A human rights perspective calls for a bottom up approach which allows displaced communities and those at risk of displacement to take part in the issues that concern their well-being.

The project originated from some of the results of a previous project on Colombia (see completed projects) and from collaboration between the Pedro Arrupe Institute of Human Rights and the Faculty of Political Science of the Xavierian Pontifical University. The working team brings together 8 researchers from different disciplines.

Project title:
Social and Solidarity Economics as the driver of social integration through employment for the most vulnerable groups of immigrants and women in Biscay

 

Funding:
BizkaiLab: Bizkaia Solidarioa Ref. 5764

 

Principal investigator:
María Esther Aretxabala
 

Summary

Western societies are currently facing dynamics such as sharp increases in their foreign population, high unemployment rates and varying degrees of social exclusion which are potentially more harmful to certain groups showing lower qualifications and higher social fragmentation. These situations exist in Biscay and question the way the entire system works, leading to economic and social outcomes which may have not yet received sufficient attention. 

Access to the job market, a key factor to ensuring that disadvantaged groups are normalised and integrated, requires tackling some aspects of social innovation and active inclusion. This is the area in which Social and Solidarity Economics come into play. They represent a sector which is more receptive to including the most vulnerable social groups. This scope of Biscay’s economy has yielded its first specific results, making it a pioneer in searching for integration mechanisms with and from vulnerable groups by offering novel alternatives from a philosophy based on certain principles which strike a balance between economic value and social values.

This research proposal will be tackled from a multidisciplinary perspective, a quantitative and quantitative approach focusing on attaining deeper broader theoretical, methodological and empirical knowledge of the challenges posed by socio-labour integration of the most vulnerable groups of international immigrants and women and the issue of Social and Solidarity Economics in Biscay. It will also include in-depth reflection on the real problems and good practices found and coordinated from this sector of Biscay’s economy and their work with the disadvantaged. 

General aims

• Main aim: In-depth study of the binomial: Social and Solidarity Economics and disadvantaged immigrants and women residents in Biscay. The research will centre on social and occupational training and integration.
• Specific aims:
  • 1) explore and examine in-depth the processes that disadvantaged groups must undergo to gain the skills and competences needed to enter the regular job market, in order to
  • 2) identify good social and labour insertion practices for vulnerable groups and
  • 3) compare the findings with existing job and development policies.
    
    
     

The Awas Tingni indigenous community lives on Nicaragua's Atlantic coast. In the 90s, the Nicaraguan government gave the South Korean company SOLCARSA timber exploitation rights over the community's ancestral lands in spite of the people’s rights to their traditional lands being officially recognised in the Nicaraguan Constitution and other later laws. The community’s efforts to revoke the company’s rights met with no success in local and national courts.

The community received legal assistance from a group of experts and anthropologists from the University of Arizona Center for Indigenous Rights, led by Prof. James S. Anaya. Having exhausted all the internal legal appeals, the community decided to ask for protection through the human rights system set up by the Organization of American States. After a long complex process, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, based in San José, Costa Rica, issued a historic decision on 31 August 2001 which marked a turning point in the evolution of indigenous rights on the international scene.

The Inter American Court maintained that Nicaragua had violated the Awas Tingni community's property rights to their ancestral lands. As a result, the Court ordered Nicaragua to demarcate and issue deeds to the community's traditional lands, discontinuing any activity that might endanger these rights and establishing a mechanism to adequately protect all the ancestral lands of the indigenous communities in the country.

This project aims to collate experience from the case of the Awas Tingni to obtain some best practices that will enable other indigenous communities or vulnerable groups to adequately defend their rights at the internal level as well as on the international scene.

The starting point of the project requires finding answers to the following questions:

• How was decision making organised during the process? Did the community play a meaningful role in the decision making process?
• What was the role of the different actors taking part in the process? community leaders, local Nicaraguan NGOs, international NGOs, the media...?
• Can the Awas Tingni case be used as a precedent for other similar cases that may arise in the future?
• Are international human rights institutions such as the Inter-American Court prepared to properly defend the rights of alienated communities like indigenous peoples?
• Are the main points of the sentence from the Inter-American Court being implemented?
• Several years on, what is the community’s perception of the process? Do they see major problems concerning the Nicaraguan government’s application of the court decision?

Funding:
Dept. of Education, Universities and Research- Basque Government (Ref. HU2010-40)

Project title:

Integration and international migration: pathways and integration policies (INTEGRIM)

Funding

European Commission - Marie Curie Action (Ref. 316796)

Principal investigator

Eduardo Ruiz Vieytez, PhD, Director of the Pedro Arrupe Human Rights Institute.

Partner universities:

• University of Deusto (project coordinator)
• University of Lieges (Belgium)
• University of Sussex (United Kingdom)
• University of Lisbon (Portugal)
• University of Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
• University of Koç (Turkey)
• Central European University (Hungary)
• University of Poitiers (France)

Summary

The INTEGRIM programme focuses on research training and aims to structure the existing research capacity on migration and integration policies and processes in the European Union and its neighbouring countries. Eight academic and six associated non-academic institutions take part in the INTEGRIM programme. They focus on making innovative contributions to academic knowledge on the concept of integration as a key factor for the future cohesion of European societies.
The programme assumes a multidisciplinary and cross-sectional approach. It covers the four following research dimensions in sectoral thematic areas related to integration policy and processes.

• Identity and cultural integration
• Citizenship and political participation
• Work and social integration
• Urban integration, residential and mobility patterns

General aims

The aim of INTEGRIM is to improve academic research capacity, promote research on relevant policy for public policies, the processes related to migration and immigrant integration and diversity management while facilitating the use of said research in governmental and non-governmental organisations.

http://www.integrim.eu/
 

• Group 1: Factors. This group studies the key factors that facilitate or hinder human rights protection, human rights concepts, democracy, the role of Law and global, regional or national human rights protection institutions and instruments.
• Group 2: Actors. This group focuses on European human rights commitments to the United Nations, regional multilateral organisations, regional and strategic organisations with third counties and non-state actors, in addition to the relationship between European Union institutions and the member states.
• Group 3: Policies. It focuses on promoting European human rights policy on development, trade, human rights violations in conflicts, freedom, security and justice and external action in human rights and democratisation.
• Group 4: Tools. This group develops policy indicators, tools and proposals, including comparative studies of policies to monitor and improve the effectiveness of European human rights policy.

FRAME's vital influence on human rights research in education and policy innovation will continue far beyond the duration of the project itself.
 

General aims

Through FRAME, over 100 outstanding researchers and professionals intend to provide the key elements for coherent human rights policy consisting of:

1. A deep knowledge base, which takes into account the factors, concepts, institutions and instruments that underpin human rights protection;
2. Evaluation of the European Union's full potential to contribute to global human rights governance through its relationship with numerous actors and their diverse policies,
3. A set of policy indicators, tools and proposals geared to better implementation of human rights in policy-making.

http://www.fp7-frame.eu/
 

Funding

Bizkailab initiative Biscay Regional Council – University of Deusto

Principal investigators

Pedro J. Oiarzabal, PhD, researcher on the “RETOS” team, Pedro Arrupe Institute of Human Rights and Nerea Mujika, PhD, Director of the Institute of Basque Studies, University of Deusto

Abstract

Since 2011, testimonies of the last generation of Basque exiles, emigrants and returnees have been retrieved and preserved. The present stage of the project envisages sharing these testimonies by creating the digital platform “Ondare Bizia Euskal Erbestea, Emigrazioa eta Itzulera ". Its objective is to become a repository of this sociohistorical phenomenon and referential framework of the Basque intangible heritage and its diaspora.

Overall aims

COLLECT | PRESERVE | DIVULGE

• Advance in the academic work completed to date, looking to recover the historical memory of emigration and Basque exile and increase the understanding of this reality (see “Centre for Virtual Interpretation of Biscayan Immigration Identity, Memory and Culture of Immigration and Return to Biscay., 2011-2013”. Coordinadores: Pedro J. Oiarzabal and Nerea Mujika. Bilbao: University of Deusto).
• Recover and preserve the oral memory of the last generation of Biscayan emigrants and returnees who played a key role in a past we must remember, divulge and make more visible.
• Preserve and share the oral testimonials of Biscayan emigrants and those who returned as a key part of Biscay’s intangible cultural and historical heritage. Heritage is useless if it is not passed on.
• Engage Biscay society, its institutions and social agents, with particular emphasis on the emigrant population who has returned and their families. They should be encouraged to actively participate in the Centre for Virtual Interpretation by contributing material and testimonials and in the actual historical reconstruction of Biscayan immigration. The project focuses on empowering immigrants and those who have returned to prompt them to take an active part in the project rather than acting as mere spectators of their own experiences.

To this purpose, we present the platform “Ondare Bizia: Euskal Erbestea, Emigrazioa eta Itzulera” is to serve as a reference point in the intangible and tangible heritage of Basque emigration, exile and return while also operating as a digital database repository on this social reality and its unquestionable impact on Basque society and its diaspora.

HUMANITARIAN ACTION AS AN INSTRUMENT TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS: THE PRACTICES OF HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES IN COLOMBIA AND THEIR IMPACT (2006-2007)

This project conducted an analysis of the overall situation of the conflict from a clearly interdisciplinary view. The general objective was to pose humanitarian action as an instrument to protect human rights. For this purpose, the analysis centred on some humanitarian agencies which are considered vital in Colombia, in addition to the reality of human rights and the victims of the Colombian conflict. The main result of this project was the publication "Colombia en su laberinto. Una mirada al conflicto" (See Links) or (See in Publications) 

COLLATION OF CITIZEN PARTICIPATION EXPERIENCES
(2005-2006)

This research was conducted in consortium with the Alboan and Hegoa Foundation. The main objective was strengthening and spreading significant citizen participation practices, prompting awareness in our area of the Basque Country while making this impact felt in social organisations in Colombia, Costa Rica and Spain. Several publications resulted from this project. (See Links) or (See Publications) 

ISLAMIC IDENTITY AND PUBLIC SPACES IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

This study has a double objective:
1) determine to what extent the elements which Moslems feel are key components of their Islamic identity are (in)compatible with certain institutional, legal or political structures in our society and
2) study the possibility of adjusting the compatible structures to said reality.

Islam: basic references of Islamic identities, European Islam: currents, references, key forms of expression. Islam in the globalisation process: Islam and postmodernity.

• Plurality, multiculturality, open or closed societies, State neutrality in religious or identity affairs; the idea of public space: conceptual framework.
• Religious or (religious identity) differences and democratic societies: comparative legal-political vision: analysis of international and domestic regulations and jurisprudence.
• Specific factors or elements (aspirations) which express Islamic identity in public spaces.

Analysis and possibility of reformulating current structures to better adapt to the Islamic identity: philosophical, political and legal changes.

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF HUMANITARIAN ACTION IN GUATEMALA

Research has mainly centred on analysing the role that the international community has played through different channels to implement and enforce the 1996 peace agreements.
The following specific objectives have also been set:

• Validate three methodological approaches such as gender, human rights and indigenous people's rights, analysing their progress in Guatemala after the peace agreements were signed.
• On the other hand, provide an analysis of the true impact of international cooperation in the country during the last decade by studying the role of the various actors that have intervened, strategies and approaches used and their influence on the peace process.
   

THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS

The 50th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights marks a key moment to conduct research on the Declaration's origins and framework. Funded by the Basque Government Department of Education, the project was completed and published in 1999. It analyses the Declaration’s beginnings and content; its development and implementation, particularly through the 1966 treaties; its legal value; the ethical-ideological meaning of the Universal Declaration; the historical-ideological precedents; and the debate on its universal nature. An appendix with a panoramic view of human rights violations fifty years after the declaration is also included.

 

THE SITUATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IN SPAIN

This research aims to determine the social and legal situation of illegal immigrants in Spain. This study was originally sponsored by the Jesuit Refugee Service, with the intention of conducting simultaneous studies in Great Britain and Germany. The field work was conducted in Andalusia, Catalonia, the Basque Country, Madrid and Murcia. The study was completed and the results were published in 1999.
 

THE CONFLICT IN THE GREAT LAKES REGION

This research analyses the causes, development and current situation of the conflict in the African Great Lakes region. The aim is to draw conclusions from the most recent humanitarian crisis, its implications and humanitarian organisations’ actions. The study was conducted by Ladislas Bizimana and published in 1999.
 

HUMAN RIGHTS THEORIES AND PRACTICES IN AFRICA

This project, conducted by Mbuyi Kabunda, PhD, intends to make a diagnosis of the human rights situation in Africa, not only from the aspect of violations but also a possible African conception of human rights theory. The study was completed and published in 2000.
 

THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE BASQUE COUNTRY

This research focused on identifying the current human rights situation in the Basque Country from a double perspective, legal and sociological. It also intends to support Basque Institutions in continuous improvement of promotion and defence of human rights in the Basque Country.
 

THE RIGHT TO SELF-DETERMINATION AND THE BASQUE EXPERIENCE

The subject of self-determination is tackled from different approaches: a legal analysis of the right to self-determination, to identify its meaning and scope; an ethical analysis of said right, from the different approaches of current political philosophy; a study of how this right arises in political debate in the Basque Country; and a comparative study of how it is approached in other national or identity conflicts.

THE UNITY OF HUMANITARIAN STUDIES

This project was undertaken jointly with the Institute of Studies on Conflict and Humanitarian Action in Madrid and the NGO Doctors Without Borders and funded by the European Commission Department of Humanitarian Affairs-ECHO. The objective centres on analysis of the main humanitarian crises at the present time, their implications, humanitarian organisations’ actions and the lessons learned.
The first research stages have been completed, with the results published as a book by Editorial Icaria under the titles: The challenges of humanitarian action, closed doors: access to victims in humanitarian action and Population movements: humanitarian consequences.

 

THE SOLIDARITY ECONOMY AND ITS INCLUSION IN UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

The main objective consisted of preparing a proposal at the university level to include the solidarity economy in current curricula as a subject and a compulsory theme for reflection. This intends to serve as a focus reference point and clear contribution to improving well-being and justice in the Basque Country and Spain. It is organised according to the following four areas:
1) the solidarity economy in the framework of economic, social and cultural rights, 2) analysis of the current situation of the solidarity economy from the international to the local level, 3) analysis of the need for education, research and reflection on the solidarity economy, 4) a proposal for a model to include the solidarity economy in university curricula.