Ukrainians In Spain: Imaginaries And Discourses of Settlement Refugees In Low Population Density Areas.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2025-1158

Keywords:

ukranians, refugees, reception, resettlement, remote areas, integration, in-depth interview, depopulation

Abstract

Introduction: The war in Ukraine and the massive outflow of refugees in search of safety have marked a milestone in the history of refugee reception in Europe, remarkable for its speed and efficiency. Spain has quickly adapted its administration to receive thousands of Ukrainian refugees, many of whom have been resettled in low population density territories. Methodology: This research uses a qualitative approach through in-depth interviews with Ukrainian refugees to study their imaginaries and discourses about their resettlement in the province of Cuenca. Discussion: The study examines the extent to which low population density territories meet the needs of refugees and whether they fulfil the objective of being a good destination for their resettlement. Conclusions: The results provide valuable insights for refining refugee reception strategies and offer possible solutions to counteract the depopulation of low population density territories, thus presenting an opportunity to rejuvenate Spain's rural areas.

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Author Biographies

Cecilia Estrada Villaseñor, Comillas Pontifical University


Cecilia Estrada Villaseñor holds a PhD in International Migration and Development Cooperation from Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Master’s in international relations and communication from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Degree in Communication Sciences from the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, México. She is currently Director of the Chair of Refugees and Forced Migrants - INDITEX. Coordinator of OBIMID (Ibero-American Observatory on Human Mobility, Migration and Development). She is currently the principal researcher in the project Data Culture in Human Trafficking II to apply of a statistical model Multiple Systems Estimation (MSE) in the collection of data for the identification of victims of human trafficking in Spain. She currently teaches the following subjects: Migrations and development cooperation and Narratives and discourses on immigration. 

Víctor Pérez-Segura, Comillas Pontifical University

Pérez Segura holds a PhD in International Migration and Development Cooperation from Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Sociologist by the Complutense University of Madrid. He has completed postgraduate studies in applied, equality and statistics. He is currently developing her research work studying the impact of catastrophes on human populations. He has conducted research on the link between the COVID-19 pandemic and social vulnerability. His thesis work deals with the study of forced migrations associated with climate change.

Raquel Verdasco, Comillas Pontifical University

Verdasco Martínez is a researcher in training at the Chair of Refugees and Forced Migrants at the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas and graduated in Law at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. She is currently a research assistant at the Chair on Refugees and Forced Migrants and collaborates in the project Data Culture in Human Trafficking II to apply of a statistical model Multiple Systems Estimation (MSE) in the collection of data for the identification of victims of human trafficking in Spain. Her thesis work deals with the study of hard-to-detect profiles in human trafficking.

Paz Ramírez, Cáritas Diocesana de Cuenca

Paz Ramírez López, holds a PhD from the Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Her doctoral thesis focuses on psychosocial acculturation in migrant populations. She has several publications in scientific journals of important rigor. She has also participated in different national and international congresses. In recent years she has combined her research activity with her work in Cáritas Diocesana de Cuenca. Since 2012 she has been working as a labour intermediary in the Area of Solidarity Economy of that Entity, in May 2017, she becomes responsible for the Area of Communication and Solidarity Economy. In August 2020 she was appointed Program Coordinator of the Entity. Since April 2021 she has been General Secretary of Cáritas Diocesana de Cuenca.

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Published

2024-11-05

How to Cite

Estrada Villaseñor, C., Pérez-Segura, V., Verdasco, R., & Ramírez, P. (2024). Ukrainians In Spain: Imaginaries And Discourses of Settlement Refugees In Low Population Density Areas. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 10, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2025-1158

Issue

Vol. 10 (2025)

Section

Humanism and Social Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2024 Cecilia Estrada Villaseñor, Víctor Pérez-Segura, Raquel Verdasco, Paz Ramírez

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