Literature as a tool for promoting the culture of human rights

Abstract

Italy has the advantage of facing problems concerning policies of immigration differently from other European countries with a colonial heritage. Italy has to develop a process of integration aiming at contrasting the phenomenon of racism. Moreover the policy for a correct integration must unfold strategies whose goal is that of constructing a correct cultural identity among the new generations. In particular it is important to foster a dialogue concerning these matters not only among governments but also involving schools, universities and cultural institutions. The introduction, for example, of literary texts from their countries of origin in the school curricula of the younger generations of immigrants could help them approach the concept of 'culture of citizenship' in the right way. The aim is that of facilitating the possibility to acquire Italian citizenship and also to develop a correct policy for integration based on the principles of lawfulness. The University 'Kore' of Enna is carrying on an ambitious program whose goal is that of developing policies on intercultural matters as well as starting a correct process of integration and fostering a cultural dialogue among the countries of the Euro-Mediterranean area.