Barcelona: Research and Book on Reception and Employment of Immigrants

The presentation of the research project on immigration, carried out in collaboration with PICM, was held at the Abat Oliba CEU University in Barcelona.

The research project is entitled “Empowerment and Communication to Enhance the Employability of Socially Excluded Arab Migrants.” It is funded by AGAUR, the Catalan agency for university grants.

The university team has worked with Arab women living in Barcelona. The aim is to promote their communication skills through language learning and to enhance their employability. The main conclusion is the need for training.

The presentation took place on November 7, 2025, at the Abat Oliba CEU University. Dr. Alessandro Mini, Vice-Rector for Research, welcomed attendees. Ms. Rebeca Zapata, from AGAUR, expressed the administration's support. Following the presentation, a documentary explaining the work carried out was screened.

The project was explained by its directors, Dr. Carmen Parra, Professor of International Law; Professor Dr. Olga Lasaga; Ms. África Motes, Director of the Puente Arab Cultural Center Association; and Ms. Isabel Santaolalla, a Psychology student.

Dr. Rafael Rodríguez-Ponga, President of the International Platform for Cooperation and Migration (PICM), congratulated them on the completion of this work. This project was launched when Dr. Ponga was Rector of the University. Also participating were Ms. Elisabeth Diaz, Director of the Trinijove Foundation and President of the CEC (European Coordinating Committee for the Social and Solidarity Economy); Ms. Sonia Guillera, of the Federico Ozanam Foundation; Ms. Andrea Peralta, UAO CEU; and the Veus Cantants Choir, from Catnova, directed by Luis Eduardo Galián.

The book "Empowerment and Communication to Enhance Employability: An Intervention Guide for Migrants" (Barcelona, ​​Bosch Editor, 2025), written by Olga Lasaga Millet, Carmen Parra Rodríguez, Javier Barraycoa Martínez, and Marc Llabina Esteller, was presented. All four are professors at Abat Oliba CEU University. The book bears the PICM logo.