Citizenship Competences. Necessary condition for a Vita Activa

Abstract

The present historical-social context is characterized by incessant and repeated alterations which have brought about a true anthropological mutation of the social evolution of man making the context of life precarious and changeable. The man who is living in the era of post-complexity is unable to find a shared horizontal axis and, therefore, his actions are driven by a cosmic relativism which interests every dimension of his being. In such an articulated, complex and disintegrated context, personal individualism becomes the only sensorial compass which compels the actions of the individual, thus creating crisis in democratic values. At this point we need to completely rethink the formative and educational processes, which have to bear the load of an open, problematic and above all plural process. These processes need to address the acquisition of citizenship which is indispensable for placing the subject in a position to responsibly make his choices consciously and autonomously. Such a project must be able to supply a new vital stimulus characterized by a propelling drive in order to re-launch a sense of democratic community.