In this short report, Sandra Astudillo Moreno from the City of Terrassa reflects on her experience in vitalgood practice sharing with The World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments. 

On November 15, 2023, ECCAR member city Terrassa presented their good practice "Darija courses for teachers, with anti-racist and intercultural perspective" in the framework of a peer learning exchange on Local and Regional Government (LRG) actions to address discrimination and foster participation for migrants and refugees, organized by The World Organization of United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG).

UCLG had learned about Terrassa’s good practice from the ECCAR Guidebook on Local Actions against Anti-Muslim Racism, where it has been featured under the section “Intercultural Competence in Education. ”The good practice will thus now also be published in UCLG’s Call to Local Action report to contribute to the formal UN review processes of the Global Compacts on Migration and Refugees and to the good practice database of the UN Migration Network and UNHCR.

The peer learning exchange on November 15th focused mainly on civic participation, and other participating cities in the session were Mechelen (Belgium), Nador (Morocco), Buenos Aires (Argentina), Godoy Cruz and Quilmes (Argentina), Braga (Portugal), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). The diverse presentations showed how much still needs to be done to guarantee the rights of migrants and refugees, as well as racialized persons with no migratory background because of structural racism. The presentations also demonstrated how important it is to foster the civic participation of migrants and refugees in the host societies. The session stressed the importance of individuals knowing their rights (so they can claim them) and incorporating intersectional perspectives into public policy design to apply principles of equality and non-discrimination.

During the peer learning exchange, recognition was given both to ECCAR and the UCLG for bringing together cities and national associations of cities, regional, and other supralocal entities to combat racism and provide spaces for mutual learning. The City of Terrassa is delighted to have been allowed to participate in this important networking event where we could share inspiring experiences with different cities worldwide.