The Mediterranean, Frontier of Peace, Education and Reconciliation project: A challenge for ethno-cultural identity?

Rondine Cittadella della Pace is an Italian organization which aims to form people from different cultures and Countries to become responsible citizens and active participants in their life context. The present research aimed to test whether there was a change in the perception of ethno-cultural identity among the students involved in the first edition of the project “Mediterranean, Frontier of Peace, Education and Reconciliation” (i.e., a project aimed to host a small group of students coming from Mediterranean Countries to develop a cross-Country network and promote dialogue and peace). This longitudinal research (October 2020-May 2022) was composed of 6 waves. Participants (N = 10), at each wave, completed a self-report questionnaire containing the Ethno-Cultural Identity Conflict Scale (Ward et al., 2011) and participated to a focus group. Paired sample nonparametric t-tests showed no significant results, but descriptive analyses highlighted that the students increased their level of ethno-cultural identity. These results were confirmed by focus groups: The stay at Rondine enhances knowledge, relationships, and mutual cohabitation with people belonging to different ethnic groups and cultures. Rondine shapes a new concept of one’s own identity and integration of the new ethno-cultural identity components, allowing the participants to experience ethno-cultural differences without feeling threatened and with the possibility to preserve a stable and cohesive identity.