The head of the Consenso Imigração’s working group, Rui Marques, expressed concerns about the integration efforts of the AIMA during a conference on migration at the University of Lisbon. He highlighted the need for stronger and more comprehensive solutions, noting that less than ten percent of municipalities have integration plans for migrants.
Marques pointed out that the Ministry of Education failed to renew contracts for cultural mediators, affecting over 150,000 children of immigrants in schools. This situation, he suggested, may have arisen due to bureaucratic challenges.
The Consenso Imigração advocates for a positive and realistic approach to immigration in Portugal, emphasizing the importance of respecting human dignity. The group aims to combat societal polarization and promote constructive debates, addressing the spread of “algorithm-fueled rage.”
Rui Marques stressed that “hatred is a poison” and underscored the significance of family reunification as a fundamental right. He also called for changes to nationality laws to foster social harmony.
At the conference’s opening, a message from President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa praised civil society’s organized efforts, urging collaborations across Portuguese society that prioritize facts over emotions.
The President emphasized the importance of informed consensus on immigration, nationality, and integration issues. Meanwhile, the Rector of the University of Lisbon, Luís Ferreira, remarked that migration is a fundamental aspect of human societies and warned that stagnant societies are destined to become extinct.
The Consenso Imigração group, established in mid-June, includes four former high commissioners, former Secretary of State Catarina Marcelino, researchers Lucinda Fonseca and Catarina Reis Oliveira, and associative leaders Eugénia Quaresma and Paulo Mendes.
