The Italian Network of Intercultural Cities

On September 21, the municipality of Reggio Emilia with the support of the Intercultural cities programme of the Council of Europe and the European Commission hosted the second meeting of the Italian intercultural cities. Nine aldermen for integration policies representing the following Italian cities (Genova, Torino, Savignano sul Rubicone, Fermo, Pompei, Lodi, Senigallia, Bari, Campi Bisenzio and Reggio Emilia) took part in the meeting.

The preliminary meeting was held on 22 May 2010. Since than considerable progress has been made. First, each city adopted a resolution which enable it, even from a legal point of view, to join the Italian network. Furthermore, a charter establishing the network has been signed and an action plan has been launched.

By signing the above mentioned document cities agree to work on topics like integration and immigration policies. More in details, the ten municipalities value the fundamental role of cities in promoting cultural identities, diversity and intercultural understanding and set up tools and practices promoting the interaction between ethnically and linguistically diverse cultural groups.

Cities also seek to develop intercultural competence within local institutions, public services, citizens, civil society, schools and media.

Three different workshops have been organised for the Italian Network of Intercultural cities. They will cover:

"intercultural and linguistic training for municipal officers";

"best practices" policies to maximize the potential of second generation migrants;

as well social mediation in neighbourhoods.

The schedule for the future meetings of the network has already been confirmed: November 17 in Fermo (workshop on intercultural vocational training), November 26 in Savignano sul Rubicone (on Linguistic and cultural mediation), December 3 in Turin (workshop on second generation) and 28 January 2011 in Torino for the first meeting public network.

Interactive map of participating cities

Click on the name of the cities to discover their intercultural profiles and activities.