Foligno, is called “Letter to the city” and is the project to combat educational poverty. The words of Bishop Domenico Sorrentino

FOLIGNO – Countering educational poverty by strengthening training initiatives dedicated to young people, making them protagonists of the democratic life of the city. The project developed in Foligno through a partnership between the Diocese, in the leading role, the San Domenico da Foligno Foundation and the social cooperative Densa is ambitious. A project created to respond to an urgent need, as evidenced by the data from the Poverty Report in Umbria prepared by the Aur. A survey which shows that the poverty of Umbrian families in 2019 stood at 11.2% against a national average of 10.4%. But not only. Another study, this time referring to 2022, highlights how 67.6% of children under 17 have never gone to the theatre, 62.8% have never visited an archaeological site, 49.9% have never been to a museum and 22% have never practiced a sport or physical activity. It is within this framework, therefore, that the “Letter to the city” project fits: born from the experience of Don Lorenzo Milani, it obtained funding of 194,500 euros as part of the public notice “Educate together”, promoted by the Department for the family policies of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Resources which, as explained by Chiara Corica of Densa, will be used to implement and strengthen a whole series of actions for the benefit of an audience of approximately 2 thousand children, between 5 and 14 years old, residing in the municipality of Foligno.

THE DETAIL

Going into detail, the project will develop over a period of 12 months, during which young people will be protagonists of projects designed on the basis of their needs, starting from the extra-scholastic sphere, with the promotion of recreational and educational activities within the cultural places of the city, such as museums and libraries, but also in the internal areas of the municipal territory and in peripheral and rural oratories, where there is a high index of social fragility. And also initiatives aimed at developing their transversal skills and life skills in the field of communication in collaboration with Radio Gente Umbra and the Gazzetta di Foligno, but also at making them experience the city, allowing them to reclaim urban spaces. The resources allocated will also allow the implementation of the “Citizens of the world” project, which the Diocese and the Coordination of Oratories have been carrying out for some years now, promoting moments of active citizenship in schools through the discussion of pressing current issues such as attention to the environment or legality. Young people, but not only: “Letter to the city” also calls into question the educational community, providing training experiences for teachers. Ahead, therefore, is a one-year journey, which will end with the publication and dissemination of a “letter manifesto” that involves the Foligno community at all levels: from families to schools and up to institutions. “Educational poverty – comments the bishop of Foligno and Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino, Monsignor Domenico Sorrentino – is the problem of problems, because what is missing today is a shared horizon of values ​​at all levels and the first to pay the price are the boys. We find this educational poverty in homes and schools which, despite being an essential hub, are struggling today. But there is also ecclesial educational poverty. We therefore need a change of direction and this Letter is a shout out to the city on multiple levels.” “With the launch of this project – echoed Monsignor Luigi Filippucci, president of the San Domenico da Foligno Foundation – we can say that spring has blossomed in our city. Educational agencies have been working in the area for years and the church itself is rolling up its sleeves. It is not easy, but this Letter will help us work to give affection and security to our children and presence to their families.” “I hope that at the end of these 12 months – declared the Councilor for Culture, Decio Barili – it will become a communication of commitment from the city, from all the institutions towards the children who are the unavailable heritage of our community, because we cannot have them but we must support and enhance it.” Also speaking at the presentation of the project was the president of the Cassa di Risparmio di Foligno Foundation, Monica Sassi. “It is a very challenging and beautiful project, which brings together many objectives and creates a network, which is everyone’s modus operandi today. I like the idea that kids are at the centre, because only by actively involving them will we get the best for them. But it is also important to get to homes, which are the starting point, because that is where the values ​​and foundations are strongest.”

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