Eu integration: Addressing the young generation. The Italian case

Abstract

In the last years Italy saw its immigrant population growing up to more than 4 millions. Among them, the increased number of children touched deeply the educational system, where nowadays 9 pupils out of 100 are foreigners. To face this rapid change the government developed the Italian way to integration, based on intercultural exchange and dialogue. However, the Peninsula school system proved till now unable to deal properly with foreigner pupils, both at human and bureaucratic level. An analysis of the current trends and a comparison between the Ministry of Education guidelines with their concrete implementation at the local level shows us the deficiencies of the system and indicates where efforts should be concentrated more. Furthermore, the Italian case suggests us to reflect on the bilateral aspect of integration, where commitment and dialogue play a determinant role. Xenophobic feelings are unfortunately still widespread in the Union and the task of integration policies should rather underline how migration and a multicultural environment are important in contemporary world. Immigrants could not only be source of wealth for European societies, but would eventually provide a unique opportunity for the development of human being. And what better starting point than education?