The role of the ethnic majority in integration processes: attitudes and practices towards immigrants in Catalan institutions

Abstract

The main objective of the REPCAT project was to examine how diversity is represented, and what barriers there are for the participation of immigrants and ethnic minorities, in Catalan public institutions. The basic assumption was that the ethnic diversity of the Catalan society is underrepresented by its institutions, which contributes to hamper integration processes and cement inequalities, as minority groups lack both role models and access to influencepolicy-making and institutional practices. At a general level, the project aimed to expand our understanding of why the inequalities between the native majority and the ethnic minorities remain deep despite policies that embrace interculturalism and non-discrimination, and why the ethnic diversity of society is still not represented by its institutions.