Hitaj Arminda, born and raised in Shkodra, in his pocket a degree in Biological Sciences, has left Albania 13 years ago and since 1997 lives in Udine. With a long experience as a cultural mediator, presides over the UCAI (Union of communities and immigrant associations) engaged in the province of Udine. 52 associations participating entity identified by a common denominator, the integration of immigrants. We interviewed to understand what are the main activities dell'Ucai and its plans for the future.
- all'Ucai The member associations are numerous: what are the ethnic groups and what the larger community?
"All'Ucai participating organizations representing many ethnic groups, 42 to be exact. We can say that we are dealing with presone from all five continents of the world, albeit with different numbers. "
- How is the work dell'Ucai, in terms of representation of different ethnic groups?
"dell'Ucai The plan provides for a Governing Council consisting of 7 persons and an executive committee composed of five members whose responsibilities are clearly explained in the statutes of the association. The communities represented in the Governing Council are those from Albania (from I represent), Mali, Ghana, Russia and Senegal, as are those that are more numerous nell'Udinese.
- what they do at the Union?
"dell'Ucai activities are numerous: The main activity concerns the management of multi-ethnic cultural center, in which they not only all'Ucai members and adherents, but also other associations. The center is therefore open to proposals that we receive from other realities. "
- What was the reaction of the Italian community and its institutions since it was founded UCAI?
"The response has been positive, because we are a non- pursuit of profit. The Union is founded by a real need identified after a careful reading of the local scene: he felt the lack of coordination between the various actors. In this way, we offer a reference not only to immigrants and the associations that have joined, but also to the local institutions that are found to interact with immigrant communities. "
- associations how they responded?
"Even in this case very well: first there was no link between the various groups of immigrants in the province of Udine and many people used a private house as headquarters of the association. Now many of them based at the UCAI and coordination allows you to do projects involving more than reality. In our site available to local associations to meet, organize exhibitions and other cultural activities and information. "
- The process of integration also involves mutual knowledge. There are projects and activities concerning this aspect?
"We are carrying out projects on the promotion of culture and language of the country of origin, the organization of holidays based on dance, music, exhibitions of folk costumes and typical dishes, but also realizing conference where he wants to know who we are, where we come from, what resources are and how we want to use in this process and exchange of knowledge. "
- - During the celebration of the Albanian community there were also people of other ethnicities?
"At parties involved so many people. These events are a meeting point for fellow citizens (over 600 attendance), but opportunities are open to all who see the participation of people of different ethnic groups, open to knowledge of other cultures. "
- What is the relationship with local authorities and the media?
"In the many events we organize always count on the presence of authorities that carry the greetings of the institutions they represent. Also help us financially, but their active presence dell'Ucai share the activities themselves. For advertising use every means at their disposal: from print to radio and local television, with good results. "
- For the second-generation immigrants what you expected?
"We are conducting courses for the promotion of language and culture of origin for children, as a means of enrichment and to ensure that these children do not feel foreign to return to their country of origin. The success this year had meant that the project was resubmitted for 2008. A second major project is the creation of a theater workshop, a way that will end with the final performance in February 2008. "
- There particular attention to women?
"dell'Ucai The Governing Council is composed of 5 women out of 7. Dell'Ucai emphasize that the activities are not exclusive to one sex or related to other conditions, but for everyone. We have presented a project together with the service of Equal Opportunities for women to follow and facilitate the process of job placement. "
- she herself is part of a path of integration. What are the difficulties he faced?
"are typical of those who left behind their homeland, their loved ones and must start from scratch in a new country. It 'important to be committed, decide what you want to do and have the tenacity and patience needed to solve the problems and obstacles that arise. "
- For new immigrants who are the main problems?
"Inclusion is a process made up of many parts: you have to adapt, understand what their responsibilities and opportunities in the surrounding area and, above all, learn the language. The UCAI is implementing projects with educational institutions and in the past has carried out literacy courses for foreigners. "
- Knowing Italian is not always enough to know what rights and obligations.
"We are working with the city of Udine, ASGI and brokers to promote community awareness of rights and duties. Yes These meetings are held in places frequented by immigrants because often, many of them do not approach the counter. "
- Continue to maintain relations with his country of origin? It feels more Italian or Albanian?
"I am an Albanian who has now spent a third of his life in Italy. I am very well here, I like to live in this new country, but of course I still maintain family ties, kinship and friendship with my people who are still on the other coast of the Adriatic ".
roland Ndoci
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