More than a decade ago, Òscar Camps (Barcelona, 1963) saw an image that changed his life. An image of dinghies that disturbed him and made him get off the couch. Today, thanks to that reaction, more than 70,000 people have been rescued in the Mediterranean by the NGO Open Arms. He is an entrepreneur, activist, and one of the clearest and most combative voices against xenophobic discourse. As he himself admits: thanks to being an entrepreneur, he has been able to sustain his humanitarian commitment without depending on a salary.
Òscar Camps was the fourth guest of the Esmorzars de Forquilla meeting series organized by the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce, sponsored by Indra and with The New Barcelona Post as a collaborating media outlet. The activist reflects on the political and social shift towards migration, denounces media manipulation, and defends the value of anonymous citizens who keep his mission alive. And all this, without losing faith in humanity.
--- In ten years, it seems we have gone from the slogan "we want to welcome" to "they are invading us." What do you think is the reason for this change?
--- It is due, evidently, to a very efficient intervention by the great media loudspeakers of our time. This intervention comes from the great powers, especially the right and the extreme right, who use social networks and major media outlets to spread a discourse based on lies and crude interpretations of reality. Unfortunately, the media discourse on migration and what happens at sea dominates.
--- Is it the majority discourse among the population?
--- One thing is the discourse imposed by the media and another is reality. In real life, people have their own opinions and behaviors. On social media, there are many bots and paid pseudo-journalists who create content against me using fake news. They want to discredit my name, that of the NGO, and the work we do to prevent people from supporting us.
"What pushes them to leave is the context, the devastated reality, the forgotten conflicts. No one throws themselves into the sea because there is an NGO that, if they are lucky, can save you," Òscar Camps--- But do people really think that migration is the country's main problem?
--- No, they don't think so. Or, at least, not everyone. But they spread this discourse as if it were a trend, like flat-earthers. I don't think all of them believe the Earth is flat, but they like to be part of a club, to contradict. The same happens with xenophobic discourse. They know that what we do is legal, that we have been doing it for ten years and that we have no open cases. But they want to impose this deceitful narrative.
--- Despite this rejection, you also have a lot of support.
--- Yes, there are recognitions: films, documentaries, awards, medals... but the boat doesn't run on medals, but on fuel. The people who really make all this work are the citizens. Mrs. Francisca, Mr. Joan, who give us 20 euros every month. If it weren't for these donations, we couldn't do anything.
--- And the politicians?
--- It depends on the moment. In sweet moments, they approach; in difficult moments, they disappear. But I cannot say no to any event where I can explain what we do. It is the only way to change xenophobic and racist discourse: by explaining what is happening and answering questions.
--- Some say you provoke a pull factor.
--- Nonsense. Look beyond the Mediterranean. Would you get on an overloaded dinghy with your family if staying out was safe? No, right? What pushes them to leave is the context, the devastated reality, the forgotten conflicts. Nobody throws themselves into the sea because there is an NGO that, if they are lucky, can save you. They often know they won't make it. But they can't do anything else, and for this reason I cannot stop going.
-- You often explain that you started because of a photo of dinghies that impacted you.
--- Yes. That photo made me get off the couch. And thanks to that we have helped rescue more than 70,000 people. I don't know what seed will germinate, but I cannot stop planting them.
--- But you have almost 600 workers. Do you consider yourself an entrepreneur or an activist?
--- Entrepreneur. I always have been. I started my first company at 23, a car rental business in Castelldefels. I have almost always worked for myself, except for nine years at the Red Cross. I have several companies and it is thanks to them that I can dedicate myself to the NGO without earning a salary. I have built my companies from scratch, but I am known for Open Arms. However, if I weren't an entrepreneur, I couldn't do what I do. Until I was 50, I couldn't afford this "luxury" of helping.
--- Have you said you want to retire in two or three years?
--- Yes. I won't last forever. You need good physical condition to be on board for months. I'm already 62 years old. I can't be at the forefront of all battles forever. But I'm not actively working on this handover yet. For now, I will continue going out with the boat.
--- In an interview, Òscar Camps said that "despite everything, he still trusted in humanity."
--- Of course. We've been here for 200,000 years. It won't end because of four weirdos. Our genome improves with cross-breeding and changes. And the ecosystem pushes us to do things. We are what we are because of all those who preceded us.
--- And could Open Arms have emerged outside of Barcelona?
--- Probably not. Barcelona already had the Mercedarians 900 years ago, who rescued people kidnapped in North Africa. It is an open city, a crossroads of cultures. Everything we are, we owe to the fact that everyone has passed through here.
--- Òscar Camps: do you think about the legacy you will leave?
--- Yes. I have four children. My grandfather fought for rights, was wounded in the war and ended up in a concentration camp. His brothers went to France and then returned as politicians. Of course I think about my legacy, but I think about the present and the future. First: What are we doing here? And second: What world do we leave to our children?