Inclusion: The Principle of Responsibility and Relational Reciprocity

Abstract

The aim of this essay is to discuss the social inclusion in an epistemological perspective, identifying the concepts of responsibility and reciprocity a-priori for the formulation of policies and means for social economic and cultural inclusion. The migration policies characterized by mere assistance often do not guarantee inclusion understood as participation. When forms of exclusion are combined with cultural and ethnic marginalization the reaction instead of having the integration characters assumes those of apathy and of conflict. This is why it is considered necessary to go back to the concepts of responsibility and reciprocity focusing on person and relationship. Furthermore, these concepts having a solid theoretical background in various disciplines allow to propose a multi-faceted picture of the pre-conditions to build up a culture of inclusion. They are then presented statistical stock on international and national migration flows. The role of the relational reciprocity is fundamental to create the inclusive society. The paper concludes with the presentation of some operational proposals to the knowledge of the ‘other’, the deconstruction of social fears that slow social innovation and sustainable development.