Experiencing Diversity: Complexity, Education, and Peace Construction

Abstract

The relationship with diversity is one of the basic aspects of human experience. In the present contribution, a broad definition of diversity is proposed, which includes, but is not limited to, cultural diversity. The analysis of the experience of diversity is especially focused on children’s attitudes and behavior. The role of education is also highlighted. Though education is generally considered by the author in its broad sense, namely, as the sum of all the elements of reality that in one way or another affect human development, a special emphasis here is given to school. The main assumption of this chapter is that complexity, diversity, education, and peace construction are intimately interrelated. Diversity is one of the essential components of complexity, and considerations regarding the reality of complexity should be the prerequisite of any educational program and of any effort toward peace construction. These reflections partly draw on a number of studies (especially through the use of anonymous open-ended essays) we conducted in Italian secondary schools on children’s (aged 9–18) attitudes toward multiculturalism. Some suggestions are also prompted by a brief analysis of a passage from the Australian novel My Place by Sally Morgan.