Citizens of the Sea
The struggle for recognition of one’s rights has always been a prerogative of human history. The last two centuries have seen significant progress, thanks to the constitutions of liberal and modern states, which have seen the affirmation of natural and fundamental rights. It is by no means a given that, after sixty years, the principles contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the so-called “Magna Carta of Humanity,” and in the Ventotene Manifesto are today known, understood, and, above all, implemented. How reasonable is it to treat people differently and distinguish those fleeing persecution and threats to their lives from those fleeing because they have nothing to live on?
Starting from this reflection, in Matera, City of Peace, Energheia proposed the initiative “Literature as a Tool for Civil Engagement” in 2023: the International Citizens of the Sea Project, aimed at discussing and educating new generations on the topic of migration and the arduous journey to protect migrants’ rights, identifying them as Citizens of the Sea.
