"Mo.Ter" Participatory Research in Southern Italy: A Development Project of Communities of "Phlegraean Area" (1977-1988)

Abstract

The group of Moter research (a territorial model for educational programming) from the University of Naples has been involved for ten years now in the education of local communities in the phlegraean area in the province of Naples. At a scientific level, this work aims at verifying theoretical, methodological and technical procedures of participatory research with regard to the cultural development of disadvantaged areas.. With regard to educational policies, this work finds its place in the debate and interventions of cultural decentralization; which has largely been spreading in Italy since the Seventies: from this point of view the Region, through its legislative action, and the Municipalities, through their educational activities, are playing the leading role. The University participates, in turn, in this renewal process as a public research structure working for the development of the territory.