The long history of the relations between the Iberian Peninsula, North Africa and the Levant is not without contradictions: a unique history, made up of conflicts, but also common interests and strongly interconnected social and economic dynamics. A history built upon contact with the Other (seen as "different") and the consequent practice of alterity or otherness. A negative and positive alterity, which, in the latter case, often led to fruitful cultural exchanges resulting in profound experiences of interculturality.

Europe is increasingly heterogeneous ethnically, with constant migratory flows and problems of integration of migrants. Therefore, based on knowledge of the deep roots of this coexistence, we intend to understand and outline actions that can contribute to the understanding and implementation of the European Commission's integration policies.

Exploratory project support by CHAM , NOVA FCSH and UAç, through the FCT strategic project (UIDB/04666/2020 and UIDP/04666/2020.