Profughi di guerra e nuovi cittadini: quali istanze formative?

More than a million migrants and refugees crossed into Europe in 2015; the vast majority arrived from Syria by sea (principally via Turkey). Most of those heading for Greece take the relatively short voyage from Turkey to the islands of Kos, Chios, Lesvos and Samos – often in flimsy rubber dinghies or small wooden boats. Despite this and because of the large amount of the media coverage and the political and rhetorical discourses, immigration and refugee issues do not seem to be perceived in a real way by the general public. Meeting, talking and listening to migrants and refugees can change our perceptions. I had the opportunity to do this in August of 2015 on the island of Chios, Greece, where I met many refugees coming from Syria and I recorded 15 interviews. In this paper I will try to share that experience, both the difficulty of establishing a meaningful contact and yet – at the same time – the ease of developing a personal rapport with them. In particular, I would like to focus on at least two learning potential that arose from this encounter: for them, as people who have lost everything and need to build their future, and for us, as people who need how to live in this changing world.