An expert visit of the Intercultural Cities (ICC) Programme to Pontedera, Italy, focused on education and cultural policy for inclusion. Taking place from 5-6 September 2025, the visit was an opportunity for the mayor, deputy mayors and city officials to exchange on intercultural inclusion policy and practice within the city. The results of the ICC Index for Pontedera were also presented by ICC expert Marta Perez Ramirez.
The ICC delegation also met with the “Tavolo Intercultura”, a recently established body which represents the municipality’s commitment to ensuring that all local actors and stakeholders can take part in decision making and have a voice within the municipality. A number of local initiatives were also included in the programme of the visit, including local educational institutions working in an intercultural way, as well as after school clubs and local placemaking initiatives.
In focus groups, education was particularly highlighted as an area of vital importance to ensuring local migrant communities are a part of local society. Whether that is through schooling and the role of teachers and curricula in including children of migration background, or non-formal education where migrant women learn the Italian language after dropping children at school, education is widely seen as the keystone for effective inclusion.
Culture and cultural events were also on the agenda as important ways to make intercultural contacts. The Sete Sois Sete Luas Festival, based in Pontedera, works with cities across the world to foreground lusophone and creole cultures and music – including in Cape Verde, La Réunion (France), Luxembourg, Portugal, and Spain. Participants in the meetings emphasised that whilst initiatives which promote interaction across different cultures are always welcome, there is a need for systemic policy and follow-up to ensure these contacts are meaningful and long-lasting.
The ICC Programme will now produce an Intercultural Profile reflecting the findings of the visit, which will be shared with the municipality.
