Intercultural Dialogue • Main findings

GALLUP®EuropeanCommission

FLASH EUROBAROMETER N° 217

13-17 November, 2007

Note: Percentage of people who had such interaction in the last 7 days

Note: Percentage of total sample

Note: Percentage of total sample

Nature of such interaction

Interaction

Italy

Q2. Thinking back to the LAST 7 DAYS, did you have any interaction – either personally or virtually – with the following group of people I will read to you?

“Intercultural dialogue” – first reactions Q1. When you hear the expression “Intercultural dialogue in Europe”, what FIRST comes to your mind?

[If ANY interaction at Q2.] Q3. When / where do you have these contacts?

44

43

39

35

48

42

36

44

P eople …having a different ethnic origin than yours

…from a different country in the EU

…from a different country outside the EU

…having a different religion than yours

Country

EU27Yes (in the last 7 day s)

49

40

35

22

15

12

9

15

53

49

36

25

24

18

19

23

In the public space, e.g. in the neighbourhood, while shopping etc.

At my workplace

During my free time while participating in cultural activities

At school / university / other educational establishment

While travelling

During my free time while participating in sports activities

During my free time while surfing the Internet

Other

Country

EU27

Yes

% of target group AgeEducation (end of): Years

With people of/ from a different

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

-15

16-20

20+

Still in educ.

…ethnic origin 56 55 43 34 23 42 65 59

…EU country 46 55 42 36 29 43 57 47

…other country 38 47 40 33 24 39 59 39…religion 40 47 36 26 20 33 53 42

% of target group AgeEducation (end of): Years

Interaction…

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

-15

16-20

20+

Still in educ.

Public space 36 38 53 61 66 48 48 36

Workplace 19 44 59 29 26 50 56 15

Cultural activities 39 41 28 34 16 36 39 42

School, etc. 66 19 14 6 5 10 17 63

Travelling 21 19 11 12 11 12 21 17

Sports 13 21 12 4 6 12 14 17

Internet 18 8 7 5 2 6 11 16

Other 8 16 10 22 11 16 20 9

35

65

Mentioned something;

67DK/NA; 33

EU27

country data

32

17

15

8

6

5

5

3

2

2

1

5

Communication among different communities

Cooperation, exchange, transnational mobility

Living together/knowing/understanding different cultures

Education, exchange of information and ideas

Shared European culture

Tolerance, equal rights

Coexistence and cultural diversity

Dealing with linguistic diversity

Immigration/minorities

Cultural events and access to culture

Dialogue in the sphere of politics and economics

Other

Note: Percentage of people who had mentioned something

Just under one-third of Italians (32%, the second-highest EU percentage) chose inter-community communication as the key message that the phrase intercultural dialogue brought to mind. Another 17% opted for trans-national mobility, while slightly less (15%) leaned towards understanding different cultures. Education and the exchange of ideas came to mind for 8% of respondents – the highest EU figure.

Rates of contact (59% overall) were in line with EU averages. The exception was contact with citizens of a different religion (only 35%). Overall, most encounters were reported by the 25-39 year-olds and those with more education.

The figure that stood out from the crowd in Italy was that regarding virtual meetings (9%), as it was the lowest in the EU. Only one in five of 15-24 year-olds reported such intercultural contact.

Intercultural Dialogue • Main findings

GALLUP®EuropeanCommission

FLASH EUROBAROMETER N° 217

13-17 November, 2007

Interest in the intercultural events of 2008

Attitudes to cultural diversity Q5. I will now read out opinions that are sometimes heard. Please tell me if you agree very much, agree, disagree, or very much disagree with them.

Diversity’s impact on cultural life Q4. Would you say that [COUNTRY]’s cultural life is enriched by people with different cultural background than the majority?

2008 will be the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. During this year there will be several events where people who have different cultural, ethnic or religious backgrounds can learn about each other and/or can meet each other.Q6. Would you say that you would be interested in such events?

49

16

7 523

Rather not enriched; 15

Not enriched at

all; 12

DK/NA; 4

Enriched very much;

26

Rather enriched;

44

EU27

country data

34

37

48

27

49

45

40

40

10

12

9

24

3

3

1

5

4

3

2

4

Very much agree

Agree Disagree Very much disagree

DK/NA

EU27

Country

Country

EU27

Young people benefit from being in contact

with their peers of other origins / beliefs

Young people

should stick to the family traditions

43

21

15 1 20

Rather not; 18

Not interested at all; 19

DK/NA; 1

Very much; 19

Rather; 44

EU27

country data

% of target group AgeEducation (end of): Years Any interaction

Enriched…

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

-15

16-20

20+

Still in educ. Yes No

very much 39 36 22 18 12 22 32 48 32 17rather/very much 79 71 71 63 58 67 78 82 75 61

% of target group AgeEducation (end of): Years

Any interaction

Agree very much

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+ -15 16-20 20+ Still in educ. Yes No

Benefit from contact

48 39 34 35 29 31 47 49 40 33

Stick to traditions 40 38 51 57 56 51 46 35 45 52

% of target group AgeEducation (end of): Years Any interaction

15-24

25-39

40-54

55+

-15

16-20

20+

Still in educ. Yes No

very much 22 23 18 16 13 17 25 25 23 13rather/very much 71 69 59 59 46 62 75 72 69 53

Italians were close to the average EU citizen in saying that young people did benefit (very much) from intercultural dialogue (37% vs. 34% EU average). This view was mainly from the younger people, the more educated and those still in the educational system.

As for the young keeping family traditions (48% were strongly in favour), Italian views were firmer than those held in the EU as a whole. These views were even more numerous amongst the over 40s and the less educated.

Overall, the Italians were in line with EU thinking when it came to saying if their lives were being enriched by intercultural contact. Positive views were mainly held by younger people and those still in the educational system.

Italians were very much in line with the average EU citizen when it came to showing interest in events linked to the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

Italy