“YOUTH SOCIAL INCLUSION AND REFUGEES INTEGRATION THROUGH DANCE-BASED INTERVENTIONS - YOU DANCE”: AN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH

Abstract

This paper aims to present the results of an exploratory research conducted in 2024-2025 within the Erasmus+ Youth social inclusion and refugee integration through dance-based interventions - YOU DANCE project. Studies show how dance can become a form of personal narration that can be translated into the body (Gallese, 2011). Dance promotes non-verbal communication (Kaeppler, 1981) thanks to the neural mechanisms that underlie the understanding of emotions (Gallese et al., 2009). Dancing increases awareness of both one's body and one's emotional states, motivations, and intentions, an aspect that makes it a device capable of stimulating better self-intimation as well as social cohesion (Gomez & Danuser, 2007). Through a qualitative-quantitative approach, the research investigated the role of dance-based body-motor activities in promoting the processes of social and cultural inclusion of young people, especially refugees