Purpose:
May – Intercultural Dialogue is affirmed in Setúbal as a moment of sharing and joint work, with the aim of promoting intercultural dialogue and coexistence, through the promotion of initiatives that call for the celebration of cultural diversity and the exercise of citizenship. It aims to bring this theme out into the public space, recognizing and valuing the diversity of Setúbal's community and deepening cooperation with the immigrant associations, promoting collaboration amongst themselves as well as with other institutions.
Stimulus/Rationale:
The Intercultural Dialogue Month is an initiative promoted by the Municipality of Setúbal since 2008, in partnership with institutions in the municipality from different areas of intervention and representing various groups or areas of interest.
This initiative is not done for immigrants, but with the whole community in all its diversity. It aims to be more than just a program of different initiatives, so the organisers promote a participatory process, in which immigrant associations, citizens and entities from different areas of work and interest are invited to participate together.
Process:
The municipality, which, at the beginning, developed the project essentially in partnership with the municipality's immigrant associations, has extended the spectrum of action to associations and institutions of another nature, as well as to other municipal services.
The activities focus on:
- Promoting dialogue between the various cultural communities that live in the municipality of Setúbal;
- Valuing cultural diversity as a potential for human and social development;
- Emphasising the work done by immigrant associations and informal groups representing specific communities
The activities developed within the scope of the programme are aimed at the general public and cover areas of activity as diverse as debates, cinema, gastronomy, exhibitions, sports or music.
Impact:
Through this program, the positive interaction between culturally distinct groups is increased, cultural diversity is valued as a potential for human and social development, the work developed by immigrant associations and informal groups representing specific communities is highlighted, which enhances and supports the presence of these movements in the public space, as well as their sense of belonging to the community.
The promotion of work between associations and communities, fostering synergies that reflect aspects of fusion and dialogue between cultures, is another benefit of the Maio – Intercultural Dialogue project.
Key reference documents: https://www.mun-setubal.pt/maio-dialogo-intercultural/
