Migrations and the Young Citizens: The Role of Educational Institutions

Europe is facing a social, cultural, economic and political challenge due to the rise in migration flows . European Countries are dealing with the phenomenon through different approaches. For the Mediterranean Countries this is a relatively recent challenge that they feel is straining their capacities to adequately plan their refugees and migrants reception policies and to culturally absorb and accept the change. Educational institutions are a vital turning point in building the conditions for social integration, exchange and growth of a common sense of citizenship. This paper will focus on how the Italian educational system is succeeding or failing in contributing to acknowledge and appreciate the cultural differences and in building a common ground for the young and sometimes new Italian citizens of tomorrow.