Adult Learning and Education for Active Democratic Citizenship: Policies, Practice and Public Pedagogy for Immigrants in Veneto, Italy

This is a transnational essay written in preparation for the activities of the Comparative Group 4 of the Adult Education Academy 2022 edition. I explore the theory and practice of adult learning and education for active democratic citizenship (ALEADC) in Italy. Specifically focusing on ALEADC for immigrants in the Veneto Region of Italy, I examine the Citizenship and the Integration of Foreign Immigrants in Veneto (CIVIS) project. Research questions that the essay attempts to answer based on the selected comparative categories, are: What are the main aims, content and competences acquired in formal and non-formal ALEADC programmes for immigrants in Veneto, Italy? How do national or regional adult education and lifelong learn ALE policies support and frame ALEADC for immigrants in Veneto, Italy? How international ALE policies support or frame ALEADC for immigrants in Veneto, Italy? I deployed the theoretical framework of democratic citizenship education for newcomers. Desk analysis and case study approaches were deployed, relying on secondary data from policy documents and empirical reports. Findings indicated that ALEADC for immigrants in Italy focuses on the acquisition of Italian language skills and civic competences necessary for social inclusion and formal integration. The ALEADC relates with several regional, national, and international policies in terms of aims and finance. However, it was concluded that ALEADC in Veneto, Italy lacks elements of critical pedagogy.