CALABRIA, FROM TRANSIT TERRITORY TO PLACE OF WELCOME : POLICIES, EXPERIENCES AND CURRENT PROJECTS

In Italy, the immigrant flow has developed differently to that of other european countries, in particular the territorial and urban contexts with peculiar characteristics similar to the southern ones, being the arrival point for the majority of migrants to Italy. In this scenery, Calabria is the natural crossroad of migrants, a very important point of transit, in particular with regards to the Ionian coast. Yet, Calabria is not only a crossing point, but it has become a place where lots of immigrants have decided to live: the most recent ISTAT evaluations say that 65.000 foreigners live in the region. In the last few years, a number of cities and territories in Calabria have been experimenting with strategies and policies regarding migration, seeing the migration itself as a positive factor enhancing the whole society economically, socially and culturally. The regional government has started working on policies regarding the main issues connected to immigration: work, housing, utilities, social exclusion and racial segregation. The regional government has passed a law (regional law no. 18/2009) on the reception of immigrants who seek refuge which aims to improve the social, economic and cultural development of small communities that could experience welcoming paths and actual opportunities of social and economic integration of immigrants who have lived or still live in Calabria. Of the many different experiences, an important development is within the Ionian zone of the province of Reggio Calabria, known as Locride. In this part of the region a few small villages, such as Riace, Caulonia, Stignano and Badolato, have become successful models of integration; offering a warm welcome and a kind hand to immigrants arriving from across the sea. These experiences are based on a very strong idea of territorial development, through the rebirth of rural economies that had almost disappeared but has been provided a new lease of life to rural villages once abandonded have now been repopulated and become lively communities once again. These actions have been strongly supported by the municipalities and by the Regional administration, and originate from the idea that “welcoming and inviting small groups of immigrant in marginal contexts, that were depopulating and being subject to economic and social decline, may be the most effective solution to the issues of integration and, at the same time, represent an opportunity for the local development”. This consideration is a rational and critical report about how a vast territory could be a real example of integration model, especially for a local level, by considering different experiences, from the widespread hospitality models of the so-called “welcome’s dorsal” to the integration and urban transformations experiences that some cities/villages have already experimented, activating effective processes aimed to the territory social-economic revitalization.