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Introduction

This module/course on EUROPEAN CULTURE(S), CITIZENSHIP(S) AND GOVERNANCE is the result of a project elaborated by some scholars who have devoted their researches and academic activities to themes such as interculture, intercultural dialogue, citizenship, governance, migrations, globalization, from different perspectives, ranging from sociology to international relations, to EU information and communication studies and other. They have together decided to design a course/module whose aims and objectives would be to introduce the students to the EU integration process;  develop the knowledge about EU policies and programmes in the field of Culture, Citizenship and democratic participation;  develop a critical mind set about a multicultural Europe. The considerations on which the project of the course/module has been based are explained below.

Europe is at a crucial point in the process of European integration. Under the historical perspective, it emerges that Europe has always been a dynamic and continuously evolving entity, with multiple identities and diversified cooperation forms. Nowadays we experience a new challenging confrontation between the actual European multifaceted political, economic, cultural and institutional reality, and its responsibility in the  world. The EU  must find a new balance between integration and diversity by mobilising not only its institutions but also acting at citizens level, in order to promote respect of commonly shared values, cultural diversity and  democratic practices.

The EU process shows clear internal and external tensions that endanger the specificity of the European integration process, i.e. the European unity in diversity. The major challenge today is how the EU as a unique integration process, based on a common cultural heritage, common historical experiences, common and shared values, can maintain its specificity at local and global level. The challenges are multiple and multidimensional within and outside the EU.

Europe, as a relevant global actor, plays an important role from which a strong responsibility derives; such responsibility is related to the capability of enabling and facilitating dialogue between cultures, citizens and governance structures. The specific characteristic of the European model remains strongly related to the concepts of mutual understanding, respect for diversity and human dignity and responsible acting in an era of increasing complexities and changing societies. The learning processes leading to development of intercultural dialogue, active citizenship and multi-level governance require an interdisciplinary approach in education and applied reflection.

The University “La Sapienza” of Rome (Italy) has become a solid and dynamic reference point for the activities aimed at fostering discussion through the development of a critical and informed state of mind in its students.

In particular, the Faculty of Communication Sciences, is seen as a very progressive institute as regards communication at all level and  under various disciplinary perspectives. Many are in fact the international activities of the Faculty, among which those aimed at students exchange within the EU are particularly taken care of.  Nevertheless, taken into consideration that the EU plays a crucial role as a leading region in the world at all levels, the students of University of Rome “La Sapienza” and  in particular those of the Faculty of Communication Sciences are only seldom exposed to an organic and critical European approach to the crucial issues of culture, citizenship and democratic participation in an organized way.

The organization of a course on such issues in a clear framework acts as a reference point for current and future needs of the students in a true European perspective.