Governing cultural diversity. Common goods, shared experiences, spaces for exchange

The paper considers cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue as political facts that need to be addressed as objects multi-level governance. The phenomenon of migration in and alongside the Mediterranean ought not to be reduced to the emigration or immigration processes of populations or ethnical groups. Its scope is much larger, for it accompanies the whole history of civilizations, while involving continuous relations and reciprocal exchanges among diverse cultures, and thus translations from the one to the other linguistic, economic, political and cultural context. At stake is the promotion of social cohesion. The objective of this paper is to reflect on the governance of cultural diversity on the basis of common goods, shared experiences and spaces for exchange. The current migrant crisis has made it clear with terrific effectiveness that a most urgent objective is working towards Euro- Mediterranean societies that are inclusive, reflective and attentive to the impact of migration on social and cultural innovation, security and health, environment and biodiversity.