"It is an initiative that came into being to develop educating communities" said Fr Stefano Mondin "thanks to a two-year project that began in July 2023, in partnership with other bodies which led to a Pact presented to the area in January 2024."
As explained by Francesca Maurizio from the Salesian Social Committee for Piedmont, "the project aims to consolidate the relationships between the bodies involved and open up to new collaborations, expanding and integrating the neighborhood community, to build a permanent garrison for formal and informal education that starts from the bottom: an ecosystem of learning and inclusion that gives rise to a territorial educating community, called GenerAzioni in Barriera".
"From October to today" added Fr Mondin "more than a thousand girls and boys have passed through the oratory and many more will arrive when the former area in front of the Michael Rua oratory is redeveloped."
There are many activities and services provided, such as carpentry, robotics and videomaking workshops. An innovative science classroom will also be built soon, thanks to a partnership with "Lavazza". Vocational training and job start-up opportunities are offered, thanks also to the collaboration with several companies and the involvement of Api Torino.
"The Barriera Oggi project" said Alessandro Cutrupi "was created to involve the young people of the neighbourhood and make them become community activists, always accompanied by educational teams, to encourage involvement by boys and girls of two age groups in particular: 6-14 and 15/19 years old. To ensure that the community responds to its own needs, listening and making the different generations in the area discuss things, starting from shared values and relationships, but with a pact open to all."
During discussion in the Committee, with representatives of different parties, Ivana Garione asked for further information on the "connection" methods of the new generations, always connected to smartphones and "virtual" situations. Amalia Santiangeli spoke on the roles and services provided; Luca Pidello spoke on the activation of youth involvement and preparation for work; Anna Borasi spoke on the cultural and consumption models experienced by young people, on fragility and involvement of companies; Sara Diena spoke on the use and listening to volunteers; Vincenzo Camarda spoke on the multicultural integration of the different generations, on professional training and on collaboration with the District and Municipality of Turin.
"A relaunch in this area" Camarda concluded "can only take place thanks to social policies: law enforcement and redevelopment of urban spaces are not enough."
Massimiliano Quirico
"CittAgorà", Turin City Council magazine
