Cities As Shifting Archives: Empathy and Social Love in the Care of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors in Italy

This paper examines cities as shifting archives in the reception of unaccompanied foreign minors (UFM) in Italy, emphasizing the importance of empathy and gratuitousness within socio-educational professions. Engaging with marginalized individuals, particularly UFMs, necessitates that professionals—such as social workers, cultural mediators, and educators—navigate a multitude of variables while demonstrating profound empathy, patience, and a willingness to give selflessly. These minors, typically aged between 12 and 17, undertake perilous journeys in search of a better life, carrying experiences that often surpass those of their Western counterparts. Upon arriving at their destinations, they face the complex challenge of integration, which can be more daunting than the journey itself.

As of July 2024, Italy had received 20,213 UFMs, predominantly males, hailing from countries including Egypt, Ukraine, Gambia, and Tunisia. Socio-educational professionals are essential in welcoming these minors, aiding them in finding safety and emotional stability, even within the limitations of institutional care. This paper underscores the significance of social love—grounded in empathy and altruistic giving—as a core element of care for UFMs. By drawing on case studies from Italian communities and centers of first reception, the analysis highlights how social love facilitates integration and provides emotional security for these vulnerable minors, demonstrating its transformative effect within the socio-educational profession.