Globalization has brought radical changes to every aspect of our social, economic, political and cultural life. This phenomenon has an important impact on society, which is characterized by the gradual weakening of social ties and destructuration of relationships.

Identities are in crisis; traditional references are disappearing. As a consequence ? illogically, if we consider the general homogenization of lifestyle and consumer practices ? there are strong individualistic tendencies, which sometimes degenerate into extremisms, brought about by the need to define our own ?ego?. The collective identities crisis causes a sensation of widespread instability. This deep insecurity does not involve only people who are on the fringe of society; no one can think that they are exempt from risk. Everything can change for everyone at any time.

In this framework two other factors of destabilization must be considered: the financial crisis and the huge migratory flows. The former has impacted on a context characterized by the decline and impoverishment of the middle class: unemployment is increasing and insecurity does not affect only the lower classes and disadvantaged people; everyone can unexpectedly lose their job and become poor.

In addition, the number of refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants, quite often irregular or undocumented migrants, is increasing: they escape from countries at war and countries where human rights are violated; they flee countries where they suffer poverty, to look for a job and better living conditions. European countries are becoming countries of immigration like the USA, Canada, Australia. They have to adapt to the changing characteristics of the population.

In this context, characterized by a disruptive perception of insecurity, the foreigner is often considered as a threat; migrations lead the locals to strengthen their identities, in a climate of conflict. This situation puts stress on the social welfare and health care systems of the various countries, which have to face new, dramatic conditions of marginalization, regarding citizens and foreigners, sometimes in competition with each other. Social security systems need public money, but, during periods of crisis, resources are drastically reduced: when the situation requires greater and more incisive intervention, paradoxically the public authorities have less funds available.

It must also be considered that the financial crisis and huge migrations affect a situation in which funding policies are under pressure. Health and welfare financing policies are also in difficulty because new medicines and other scientific and technological developments expand the range of health problems that can be treated. Moreover ageing populations and rising expectations create growing pressure on costs. It is clear that health care and social welfare systems are failing to keep pace.

Our research aims at understanding and evaluating the impact of globalization and of the other above mentioned challenges on different welfare models. From the methodological point of view, the research will be developed following a comparative approach. In the knowledge and dialectic comparison with foreign experiences, the law finds a key factor for understanding its own dynamics and for assessing the suitability and efficiency of its own solutions.

It must be stressed that global questions cannot be tackled only at a national level. Although within the European Union the organization and delivery of health care and social services is the responsibility of the Member States, the European Union is becoming more and more involved in the governance of health care and coordinates and encourages Member States to combat poverty and social exclusion. Part of the research will be devoted to studying the European policies and regulations in these fields and to finding levers for change to overcome the fragmentation between countries and disciplines. The European Union encourages the national governments to reform their health care and social welfare systems learning from each other and exchanging best practices.

At the same time the investigation will be focused on the role of regional systems and municipalities in pursuing social development. First of all, it should be recalled that the actors of the European Union integration process are not only Member States, but also sub-national levels of government. There is an evolution towards a decentralized system of policy making, in which various sub-national levels are building strong relationships and different forms of cooperation. Moreover, regional and local governments are entrusted with a large number of complex and essential tasks, covering important functions and services such as social services, health care and education, as well as housing, and so on. The importance of the study of the regional and local dimension is due to the fact that regional and local authorities are playing a key role in safeguarding the fundamental rights of individuals and are crucial to the fulfillment of the aims of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.