To celebrate World Justice Day 2025, Vania Freitas (AER Secretary General) and Marlen Niubó Edeler (Catalan Coordinator of the Committee for the Assistance of Refugees) feature on the Open Doors podcast, an initiative by UNITEE (New European Business Confederation) presented in their online magazine The New European. In this half-hour episode, they share personal and professional insights on migration and integration, with a focus on the EU-Belong project and the Intercultural Regions Network.
The Open Doors podcast explores how societies can become more inclusive and embrace diversity, highlighting the need for all voices to be heard. It provides a platform for individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds to share their experiences, addressing themes such as education, entrepreneurship, democracy, climate action, and social justice. The series aims to inspire listeners with guests’ visions for participation in today’s super-diverse world.
Just because a place is considered diverse, it does not mean that it is inclusive. Inclusion is not a result, it is a process – Vanessa Cotterell, UNITEE Project Coordinator
Released to mark World Day of Social Justice, the episode brings together the AER, the Catalan Government, and UNITEE for an open conversation on migration and integration. The discussion examines the concept of home and belonging, the distinction between diversity and inclusion, and the role of networks in fostering intercultural societies. It also considers how policymaking can promote interculturality, the challenges of securing funding for impactful initiatives, and opportunities for future collaboration between regional governments and key stakeholders. The speakers invite regional authorities to join the AER Intercultural Regions Network and explore the resources offered through the EU-Belong project.
An inclusive region embraces and values diversity, providing equal opportunities to those that live in their communities – Vania Freitas, Secretary General of the Assembly of European Regions
The conversation highlights the importance of creating safe spaces for democratic participation and implementing measures to address discrimination, hate speech, and violence. It underscores how intercultural understanding nurtures a sense of belonging in both public and private spaces. This episode exemplifies the value of intercultural dialogue in building a healthy, inclusive society rooted in unity and mutual respect, contributing meaningfully to the Transfer Cluster ‘Healthy Society’ and promoting solidarity and social cohesion.
When we think about migration it is always about flow management. We do not speak about the many millions of people that live within EU borders that need to have the right to build their home, feel safe and can contribute a lot in our communities. We cannot imagine Europe without its diversity – Marlen Niubó Edeler, Catalan Coordinator of the Committee for the Assistance of Refugees
