L’ipotesi del contatto alla prova dei campi estivi internazionali per bambini e adolescenti: due esperienze a confronto
Federico Zannoni - federico.zannoni3@unibo.it
According the hypothesis of contact by Gordon Allport (1954), if supported by certain conditions (equal status between the protagonists, the persistence of significant interpersonal relationships, cooperation in the successful experiences, institutional and social support), the contact between different groups facilitates the relaxation of stereotypes and prejudices. This hypothesis works as a theoretical basis for the experiences of some international villages and camps, where children and adolescents from different countries can meet and spend a few weeks together, in a contest of friendship, peace, mutual understanding, creativity and playful attitude. The short and long term effects of such experiences seem to confirm Allport’s hypothesis, albeit with specific characteristics, critical and unresolved issues.
