"The financial aid always depends on the context. Solidarity is not helping for the sake of helping, giving alms, but promote social justice". This was explained by Mohamed Talbi, intercultural social mediator of ANAFE-Cite (program of Comisiones Obreras in Navarra to assist immigrants), as a result of the VI workshop of solidarity "volunteer activities and immigration" that was held at the University. The activity is organized by Universitarios por la financial aid Social (UAS).

meeting Teresa Martín, coordinator of Social Affairs at the University of Navarra, spoke on "UAS: a reason to be a volunteer". José Luis Alli, director general of Social Welfare, Sports and Youth of the Government of Navarra, and Andrés Jiménez Abad, head of the Technical Unit of design and development Curricular, delivered a lecture on the "Analysis of social services to immigrants: plan for the social integration of the immigrant population".

"Study of the migratory phenomenon in Navarra: place of origin, evolution, cultural peculiarities and social habits", was the topic of the intervention of Eva Arrese, from Cáritas Diocesana. Likewise, Agustín Velloso, professor of the UNED, spoke about what it means to be a volunteer today.

Respect, the basis of coexistence

For his part, Mohamed Talbi also pointed out the importance of the Education: "I believe that the university should promote the knowledge of different cultures. Sensitivity plays a very important role here. I don't think it's good to know for the sake of knowing. To respect, one must first know and, to live together, respect is fundamental". Despite this, "the vast majority of immigrants do not go to university. Many have degrees and diplomas in many different subjects, but they cannot use them. There are numerous obstacles in terms of homologation or validation of degrees".

Regarding the immigrants' illusions of achieving a decent standard of living, he said that "obviously, they arrive with the hope of improving themselves, both economically and in terms of their security, etc. Some come to work and others are subject to forced displacement, but each person is different". And he continued: "Many of them already know that this is not going to be a paradise, that they are going to have to do jobs that others refuse. At ANAFE we also receive offers from employment and we try to offer them a way out".