The transition from a multicultural society to an intercultural society. Educational implications

Abstract

From the second half of the twentieth century, the presence of immigrants in Europe has become increasingly significant and structural. The problems and difficulties arising from this presence and, above all, from the coexistence between people of different cultures require the promotion and the development of intercultural societies, in which the encounter between people belonging to different ethnic groups produces profound changes in virtue of impact of diversity of people, in a dynamic interchange between the parties.In this regard, interculturalism does not refuse the specificity and originality of a culture, but recognizes the right of everyone to preserve and to strengthen their cultural identity. At the same time, since the cultures are characterized by dynamism, the encounter between different people pushes individuals to be open to changes and differences, in order to encourage a continuous redefinition of themselves. Foreigners and natives are called to live their everyday life on base of a common value system which makes possible the interchange and the supportive collaboration between individuals of different cultures.I adopt the method of theoretical research and I focus attention on the extensive literature dedicated to these issues. Keywords: Intercultural societies,overcoming ethnocentrism, promoting dialogue between cultures.