Seventy years ago interculture was bornan association that has made the meeting between cultures and the spread of the ideals of peace its main mission. Since 1955, Intercultura has accompanied generations of young people and families in experiences of cultural exchange, promoting values of inclusion, mutual understanding and global citizenship.
In these decades, the association has created an international network of relationships that embraces over 60 countries, transforming the journey not so much on an opportunity for linguistic learning, but above all in an opportunity for personal growth and construction of bridges between different worlds.
A single mosaic consisting of 88 thousand cards: 55 thousand Italian students who have experienced a study experience abroad and 33 thousand international students welcomed by Italian families. This is the story of the first seven decades in the history of Intercultura, which pursuing the ideals of peace traced by its founders has transformed lives, demolished barriers and built cultural bridges between countries.
In the last 30 years, two thirds of the students have been able to make this dream come true thanks to the 25 thousand scholarships assigned by Intercultura, with the support of foundations, bodies and partner companies. Today, 5,500 volunteers distributed in 160 Italian cities welcome and guide these young people, hosted by families and local schools. Together, they share a mission that crosses the generations: to form global citizens, aware and responsible, ready to face the challenges of our time with opening and determination.
In Cosenza the 70 years of history are celebrated with a look towards a future open to change: 8 students leaving in the summer 2025 awarded
In an increasingly complex and interconnected world, Intercultura remains faithful to its mission and the 70th anniversary is not only an opportunity to celebrate the past, but also to look forward, innovating the programs and expanding the opportunities for exchange for the new generations.
The 70th anniversary is also celebrated in Cosenza with a big party. The first starting from Cosenza for the USA was in 1991. The local center of Intercultura of Cosenza was born in January 2003. Since then 117 have started and more students from Cosenza and its province, many thanks to a scholarship.
The event of 23 May, which obtained the patronage of the Municipality of Cosenza, will be conducted by Rosita Paradiso President CL Cosenza DS Liceo Fermi & Polo Bruitium.
Aldo Trecoci delegated to education will be present, Antonietta Cozza delegated to culture, Alessandra Bresciani delegated to Interculture and Carmela for vice -president CL Cosenza, to give a reality to a reality that has generated an important social impact in the area in all these years.
During the meeting, ex-student and ex-student will be given item, families, teachers who during these decades have experienced an intercultural growth experience of great value, as confirmed by the Ipsos research that analyzed the long-term benefits.
The benefits of the experience will be invited to speak, former scholarships, students Esse winners as 2025-2026, boys and hosted and host families.
The 8 winning students of the territory of the Intercultura Competition for the school year 2025-26 will be awarded: Sophie B., Erica L., winners of an annual school program, respectively in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador; Giulia M., Giacomo Maria G. and Ludovica Maria Chiperia R., winners of a half -yearly school program, respectively in Japan, France and Finland; Giovanni Attilio A. and Nina A., winners of a quarterly school program, respectively in Germany and Ireland; Alessia De winner of a summer program in Spain.
Much of them will be able to live this experience with great educational value thanks to a scholarship from Intesa Sanpaolo or INPS.
Together with the winning students, Lizzie from New Zealand, Olivia from Switzerland and Lorena from Brazil also participate, welcomed by families this year.
Rosita Paradiso President of the CL and DS Liceo Fermi & Polo Brutium: “For us it is a great joy to see these guys who embody the future of interculture. Since the dawn of this long history, our association undertakes to promote intercultural dialogue and international student mobility, to encourage the encounter and dialogue between people of different cultural traditions, help them understand and collaborate in a constructive way to prevent the conflicts and promote peace.
Act the change, with the heart
Andrea Franzoi, secretary general of Intercultura: “The Pandemia Covid19 has accelerated a lot the social and cultural changes that were already in place in addition to having caused other completely new ones. AFS and interculture in over 100 years of history have promoted a vision of the world based on the values of peace, inclusion and dialogue. Values that the global crisis is questioning the overbearing re -emergence of sovereigns, Nationalisms, partisan interests, fascisms.
During its first 70 years of history, Intercultura has built a very important heritage of knowledge and skills in the specific sphere of international school exchanges and more generally of the care and development of teenagers. Changing is not simple: it means however to get out of your comfort zone, abandon consolidated habits, question. But Interculture knows the value and opportunity for change: embracing uncertainty is a necessary step to turn it in a positive change project “.
Happy Birthday Interculture!
The event obtained the patronage of the city of Cosenza.
IPSOS research: experience with decisive interculture for their lives for 68% of former participants
Starting with Intercultura is not only a stay abroad, but an experience that leaves its mark for life. An IPSOS survey on 958 former students, today between 20 and 64 years, confirms it
68% recognize a decisive impact on their identity and attributes to volunteers a key role in their own personal growth path
Living and studying abroad with interculture allows you to develop transversal skills, fundamental both in personal and professional life.
58% have chosen unconventional destinations including Asia, Latin America and Africa developing an attitude of opening to cultural diversity and linguistic skills: everyone speaks at least another language as well as English.
Soft skills come out strengthened: 97% improve relationships, 89% become more autonomous and 74% feel ready for the challenges of today’s world.
On a personal level, those who have experienced the interculture experience denotes great attention and acceptance of diversity and an advanced and sensitive social consciousness to the issues of fairness.
And finally, 65% declare themselves happy with their life, an aspect that derives from the greater awareness of their resources and a marked adaptability in the face of changes.
Intercultura is not only a journey, but an investment in the future of oneself and the whole world.