The Anti-rumours Barcelona Network (Xarxa BCN Anti-rumours)
The main collective is the nationals, without any type of specificity. The activity is developed in the entire social group, due to the character of the practise.
La Xarxa is a space for collaboration and coordination among the different agents committed to an intercultural city model joining equality, coexistence and cultural diversity. It is characterized by the fact of being an initiative under construction; it is always open and flexible. It was born on July 2010 as one of the first courses of action powered by the Council of Barcelona, following the participative elaboration process of the Barcelona Interculturality Plan and at the request of the involved associative network. Nowadays, it has expanded to other communities, including the Basque Country, Andalusia, Cantabria, Madrid, Canary Islands, Melilla and Ceuta. Due to its extremely innovative nature, this good practise is an innovation within the Spanish framework for action. It is a very creative and original idea, which directly acts in the focal point of the social conflict, since it deactivates preconceived and misguided ideas that criminalise and construct a negative idea of the other which interrupts the communication among the different individuals. It aims at: maintaining the social cohesion and favouring the positive interaction and the intercultural coexistence in the city from equality, through the fight against the rumours, stereotypes and existing prejudices about cultural diversity; deconstructing the rumours and countering the stereotypes that affect coexistence; preventing the spread of new rumours and the creation of stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory attitudes; facilitating the positive interaction in the relationship between individuals who belong to different collectives in order to favour a context of non-proliferation of rumours. The action is based on the viralisation of infography about a rumour (identified in the population of action) to deconstruct it, making it reach as many people as possible. The network works in commissions and volunteering groups with people, entities and different equipment of the cities to insist on these key sectors (education and trade). In addition, awareness actions are being taken and the collaboration of the media is pursued, trying to foster a press which advocates for cultural diversity. They also have educational offer to respond and give tools to the individuals who work in the intercultural perspective for this type of training to be integrated in diverse fields and sectors. Lastly, a catalogue of anti-rumour activities is available in the online platform; it is open to any person or entity who wants to apply the strategies of the network to other contexts. |
- Socially: the network promotes real equality both in the social rights and in the duties and opportunities of the citizenship, favouring equity and fighting against exclusion and discrimination due to the origin or the cultural differences. It also manages to recognise the diversity and give it visibility by valuing, respecting and taking advantage of the opportunities that can derivate from this pluralistic socio-culturality. A shared feeling of belonging is generated, based on common union aspects and efforts are made to work for coexistence, always stimulating the contact, the mutual knowledge and the dialogue as a means to foster cohesion.
- Methodologically/quantitatively: it is an innovative tool that involves a great interaction between the individuals. Each member of the community gets involved, either directly or indirectly, which makes the action have a great impact: it manages to have impact on a great number of people.
□ Citizenship & Civic Engagement
□ Social Cohesion & Identity
□ Education
□ Cultural awareness
□ Intercultural communication
□ Mentoring sessions
The strategy is developed in neighbourhoods, villages and cities. Each network operates in its Autonomous Community, though there is an interconnection between them (mainly online). Fostering an inclusive culture is the main work area of this good practice.
BCN Acción Intercultural. Ajuntament de Barcelona
Contact: antirumors@bcn.cat
Web page: http://ajuntament.barcelona.cat/bcnacciointercultural/es/la-red-antirumores