“A Science Has No Borders”
Founder Vincenza Palmieri: The International Association of Family Specialists and Family Pedagogists is born
After 40 years of research and experience, the definition of an original working method, thousands of families saved, and the institutional recognition of the Family Pedagogist as an autonomous profession that does not overlap with any other
A science has no borders. By its very essence, it is structured as a set of systematic knowledge that recognizes itself through a rigorous, replicable, and universal method.
This is why Family Pedagogy—a full-fledged science founded by Professor Vincenza Palmieri—has found such wide application over the last 40 years; first in Italy, then in Europe, and subsequently throughout the world.
As a science, it has been substantiated in a tested method that has provided solutions for thousands of children and families. Throughout its history, it has defined a professional figure—the Family Specialist / Family Pedagogist—that is completely original, autonomous, and distinct from any other.
Family Pedagogy was born in Matera, in southern Italy, where Vincenza Palmieri gained her first professional experiences with women victims of “caporalato[1]” (illegal labor recruitment). She also worked during the historic social and cultural revolution resulting from the closure of psychiatric hospitals following the Basaglia Law[2].
Over time, this experience was structured into practice and then into a method, compiled within a manual—the first Manual of Family Pedagogy: Helping Families at Home, by Vincenza Palmieri (Armando Editors)—which also serves as a true Manifesto of Family Pedagogy.
The profession—original, autonomous, and non-overlapping—received institutional recognition from the relevant ministerial authority (MISE[3]) and is gathered in an Association (ANPEF[4]) that operates in Italy to ensure training, updates, support, and shared initiatives for every Family Specialist.
Its expansion into every country in Europe and then the world—to protect children and families across the planet—has been rapid, effective, and unstoppable.
As a Science and Method (protected by copyright) and as a decisive work within the family unit, Family Pedagogy is inherently transnational, though it may have local nuances to adhere to the laws of individual countries.
The Editorial Staff
[1] Caporalato: Illegal labor intermediation involving the recruitment of workers to perform various types of labor, predominantly in agriculture, characterized by illegal recruitment, labor exploitation, and deplorable living conditions. European Labor Authority – Factsheet on Undeclared Work in Italy
[2] Basaglia Law or Law 180 (Italian: Legge Basaglia, Legge 180) is the Italian Mental Health Act of 1978 which signified a large reform of the psychiatric system in Italy, contained directives for the closing down of all psychiatric hospitals and led to their gradual replacement with a whole range of community-based services, including settings for acute in-patient care. The Basaglia Law is the basis of Italian mental health legislation. Basaglia Law – Wikipedia
[3] MISE: Ministry of Economic Development (Italian: Ministero dello Sviluppo Economico). In November 2022, the ministry was officially renamed. While many people still use the acronym “MiSE” its current official name and acronym is Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (Italian: MIMIT – Ministero delle Imprese e del Made in Italy). It is a government ministry of the Italian Republic. It deals with production, economic activities, energy and mineral resources, telecommunications, consumers, tourism, internationalization and business incentives. It was formed in 2006 after the reorganization of the Ministry of Productive Activities (called Ministry of Industry, Trade and Handicraft until 2001) to which were merged the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of International Trade in 2008. Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy | Digital Skills and Jobs Platform
[4] ANPEF: National Association of Family Pedagogists (Italian: Associazione Nazionale dei Pedagogisti Familiari). In May 2019, the Ministry officially recognized the role of the “Family Pedagogist” and added ANPEF to its list of authorized professional associations. Portale Dati MIMIT – Associazioni professionali
