From Iraq to Italy: Young People’s Visions for Peace and Security. Academic exchange and youth cooperation for the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (UNSCR 2250).
On Thursday 18 June 2026, the closing conference of the “Youth Peace & Security in Italy and Iraq” project will be held in Rome at Palazzo Valentini – the Council Chamber of the Metropolitan City of Rome. The project is coordinated by the University Centre for Human Rights “Antonio Papisca” at the University of Padua, in partnership with Un Ponte Per (Italy) and the Peace and Freedom Organization (Iraq), and funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – Directorate-General for Political and Security Affairs.
The conference is being hosted with the support of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital at Palazzo Valentini, with the aim of fostering dialogue between institutions, universities, civil society and young people from Iraq and Italy on the themes of Youth, Peace and Security.
An Iraqi delegation of around 10 representatives from government bodies and civil society, who are involved in drafting Iraq’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, will be attending.
The event will be held in English, with simultaneous interpretation into Italian, English and Arabic (headphones provided).
Venue: Palazzo Valentini, Council Chamber
Time: 10:00 – 13:15
A light lunch will be provided for all participants at the end of the morning session.
The conference is open to the public, but registration is required via the following link:https://forms.microsoft.com/e/AR3PXDPHWq
On February 25, 2026, a conference will be held in Damascus, Syria, to launch two new interventions in the country—one led by WHO and the other one by Un Ponte Per (UPP) — both funded by the European Union. To strengthen the local healthcare system and ensure access to care for local populations, the European Union has allocated the necessary funds to continue the relief effort.
The EU-funded initiative aims to improve access to quality, people-centred primary health care services while reinforcing national systems and implementation capacity. By combining policy and institutional strengthening with service delivery support at community level, the project contributes to Syria’s transition from emergency response towards recovery and longer-term health system strengthening
UPP's work will focus on 22 primary health clinics in Aleppo Governorate, where local capacity to respond to the population's needs will be strengthened.
The launch event for the two projects, held on February 25 at the Center for Strategic Studies and Training on Health in Damascus, will be attended by the Syrian Minister of Health, Dr. Musab al-Ali, and Michael Ohnmacht, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim, EU Delegation to Syria. Speakers will include Dr. Asmus Hammerich (Acting WHO Representative in Syria) and Murad Sido, UPP Country Representative in Syria.
On Friday, 7 November 2025, at Palazzo Valentini (seat of the Metropolitan Council of Roma Capitale, Via IV Novembre 119/A - Rome), the Global Meeting of the Shelter City programme partners will be held, entitled "Networked Cities, Rights in Common - Towards a Sustainable Protection Ecosystem".
It will be an international meeting to jointly define the role of the global Shelter City network, in which Un Ponte Per coordinates the Shelter City Rome initiative.
We will focus on how municipalities, local institutions and civil society work together in the protection of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), through concrete examples, operational tools and territorial alliances.
Speakers will be:
- Tiziana Biolghini, Councillor of the Metropolitan City of Rome
- TheAmbassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy
- Justice & Peace / Un Ponte Per / Shelter City Global
- A series of testimonies and lessons learned from West Asia and North Africa on the defence of civic space
It will be an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen alliances and build safer and more supportive cities together for those who defend human rights.
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PROGRAMME:
09:30 Arrival and registration
10:00 Welcome Words A Bridge For
10:15 Speech by the Councillor of the Metropolitan City of Rome - Tiziana Biolghini
10:30 Speech by the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy
10:45 Questions and reflections - Moderation: Lodovico Mariani (UPP/Shelter City Rome)
11:15 Coffee break
11:30 Shelter City Rome in practice: reflections by Omar & Lorenza
12:00 The key role of municipalities and diplomats in protecting human rights defenders
- Lodovico Mariani, UPP / Coordinator Shelter City Rome
- Nicoleta Mitut, Municipality of Deventer / Coordinator Shelter City Deventer
- Sjoerd de Vries Lentsch, Municipality of The Hague
- Hanne Küpers, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Representative of the Italian Network of Shelter Cities
12:30 Questions and reflections
- Moderation: Maral Khajeh (Justice & Peace/ Shelter City Global)
12:45 Protecting HRDs in practice: lessons from West Asia and North Africa on defending civic space
13:15 Closing Moment
DECOLONIAL ARENAS
Rome, Tor Marancia Tower Park | 8-14 September 2025
ARENE DECOLONIALI is the festival that puts the theme of decoloniality, the heart of Un Ponte Per's approach to international cooperation and solidarity, at the centre of public debate.
For one week, the Parco della Torre di Tor Marancia (Viale di Tor Marancia 31, Rome) becomes a space for discussion and political imagination to explore through images, words and memories the colonial past and its legacy in the present. A programme interweaving art cinema, literature, photography and public meetings, in an open dialogue between arts and activism, history and identity.
The festival is realised under the patronage of the Municipality VIII of the Municipality of Rome.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The first edition 2025 will host the screening of 10 films, documentaries and short films from different geographical contexts, six book presentations, two photo exhibitions and a bilingual Arabic-Italian reading with musical accompaniment, to give voice to the removed memories and resistances of colonised peoples.
The films are subtitled in Italian and introduced in sign language. The arena is accessible to persons with mobility disabilities.
There will also be a book stand by Liberia Griot and afood area by the Ararat Cultural Centre and Resaka Brewing Tribe.
HOMAGE TO PIER PAOLO PASOLINI
On the 50th anniversary of his death, the festival opens with a retrospective dedicated to Pier Paolo Pasolini. Two days dedicated to his cinematographic works exploring his gaze on otherness, with particular attention to his relationship with Africa and the East.
EXHIBITIONS
During the festival and afterwards, two photographic exhibitions to broaden the scope of reflection:
DECOLONIAL ARENAS AWARD
To recognise and valorise the contribution of cinema to the decolonial movement, we have established the Premio Arene Decoloniali, awarded each year to one of the films in the festival according to the opinion of experts and the audience. The prize will consist of a specially created work of art each year. (Regulations of the Decolonial Arenas Award).
HOW TO GET TO THE FESTIVAL
The entrance to the Tor Marancia Tower Park - in Viale di Tor Marancia 31 - is easily accessible by public transport, a few metres from the Colombo - Rufino stop of bus lines 714, 716, 30 or the Tor Marancia - Rufino stop of bus line 160.
The programme follows.
PROGRAM
DECOLONIAL ARENAS
1st Edition
8-14 September 2025
Tor Marancia Tower Park
Viale di Tor Marancia 31, Rome
MONDAY 8 SEPTEMBER
Pasolini & the Orient: The Author and the Otherness
This evening is dedicated to a critical look at some of Pier paolo Pasolini's cinematographic works, in particular exploring the author's oriental imagery, not as mere exoticism, but as a complex authorial construction. Through his 'journey to the Orient', Pasolini interrogates otherness and reflects on his own role as a European author.
Presentation of the book Orient (to) Express. Film di viaggio, etno-grafie, teoria d'autore with the author, Professor Marco Dalla Gassa, expert in Orientalism, Arab literature and postcolonial studies (Ca' Foscari University of Venice). Dalla Gassa will present Pasolini's works projected to follow in dialogue with the audience.
Short film: The Walls of Sana'a (Yemen, 1971 | 14')*
Pasolini launches an appeal to save the ancient city of Sana'a, threatened by modernisation. A poetic and political short film on the link between culture and urban landscape.
Screening of the film Il fiore delle Mille e una notte (Italy, 1974 | 129')
Inspired by oriental tales, the film weaves stories of love, adventure and desire in a fairy-tale and sensual world, where the search for the other is also self-discovery.
Trigger points: frequent nudity, explicit scenes of a sexual nature, references to slavery and violence (not graphic).
TUESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER
Africa as a mirror of revolutionary utopia
This day will explore the limits and insights of Pasolini's view of the 'Third World'. Pasolini speaks of Africa and for Africa, but from an external, albeit empathetic and politically committed point of view.
Human Library with the Association Movimento Italiani Senza Cittadinanza and the Shanghai People's School.
Introductory viewing meeting with Professor Vito Varricchio, (history of Africa), in dialogue with Lorenzo Teodonio, historian by passion, author of Razza Partigiana, scholar of decolonial criticism.
Screening of the film Appunti per un Orestiade africana (Italy, 1970 | 65'). Film-essay in the form of visual notes, in which Pier Paolo Pasolini imagines a possible transposition of Aeschylus' Oresteia in post-colonial Africa, interweaving visual notes, music and political reflections on the continent as a mythical and revolutionary space.
Trigger points: references to violence and slavery (not explicitly depicted)
WEDNESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER
Artistic heritage and re-significations
Presentation of the "Echoes from Dogali" initiative with Giulia Grechi and the Tezeta Association; followed by a presentation by Rosa Anna Di Lella on the collections of the former Colonial Museum and the activities of the Museum of Civilisations (MUCIV). With the collaboration of the Yekatit12-19February Network.
Screening of Abandon de poste by Mohamed Bouhari (Morocco / Belgium, 2010 | ca. 15) Silent confrontation between a security guard and a life-size African statue: the former on duty in front of a building, the latter chained like ancient slaves at the entrance to an art gallery. An ironic and disenchanted look at the stereotypes of colonialism and slavery through the figures of the 'new slaves' of western society.
Online connection with the director* and screening of the film Dahomey by Mati Diop (France/Senegal, 2024 | ca. 67').
A Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival, it narrates the return to Benin of stolen objects from the Kingdom of Dahomey during colonisation and kept at the Musée du quai Branly in Paris.
THURSDAY 11 SEPTEMBER
Visions of the colonial removed
Presentation of the book Visions of the Remover, with authors Daniela Ricci and Micaela Veronesi (National Film Archive of the Resistance) in dialogue with Leonardo De Franceschi and the Yekatit12-19February Network.
Screening of the film ADWA - AN AFRICAN VICTORY, by director Haile Gerima, (Ethiopia/USA, 1999 | ca. 90'); Through testimonies, archive materials and historical narration, the film reconstructs the Battle of Adwa (1896), in which Ethiopian forces defeated the Italian colonial army. A militant work that celebrates African resistance and collective memory against colonialism.
Trigger points: Descriptions and images of war and colonial violence
Liaison with director Haile Gerima , in dialogue with Micaela Veronesi and Daniela Ricci(National Film Archive of the Resistance), commentary on the film and debate
FRIDAY 12 SEPTEMBER
Decolonial Resistances
Presentation and readings of extracts from the book Il Re Ombra (The Shadow King) by Maaza Mengiste, with the author in connection, together with Sandro Triulzi (Archivio Memorie Migranti) and the writer Djarah Kan*; in collaboration with the Yekatit12-19febbraio Network. Moderator: Soumaila Diawara.
Screening of the film SEARCHING FOR AMANI (Kenya/USA, 2023 | Director: Debra Aroko | ca. 87' | Produced by Generation Africa - COE) When his father is murdered, Amani, a 13-year-old boy, starts filming to give voice to his grief and search for answers. The documentary follows his journey between grief, memory and justice, offering an intimate and courageous look at rural violence in Kenya and youth resilience.
SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER
Decolonising the school
Presentation of the book 'Tra i Bianchi di scuola' by Espérance Hakuzwimana together with Daniela Ionita from the Italian Movement without Citizenship, writer Christian Raimo, in connection, artist Takoua Ben Mohamed, and Angela Mona from the education working group Un Ponte Per.
Screening of the film A.O.C by Samy Sidali (2022, France | ca. 18′) in which Latefa and his two sons, Walid and Ptissam, advised by the administration, Frenchify their names when they acquire French citizenship. The film is inspired by a true story.
Followed by the film Soleil Ô (Mauritania/France, 1970 | 98') by M. Hondo. An African immigrant manages to arrive in Paris, he comes up against indifference, rejection, humiliation and racism; presentation of the film by Micaela Veronesi and Daniela Ricci (National Film Archive of the Resistance).
Screening of the short film MUNA (UK, 2023 | 19′)
Muna, a 13-year-old British-Somali boy, wants to go on a school trip. Before departure, she receives the news of her grandfather's death in Somalia. During the funeral, she discovers through traditional music (the oud) a new part of her own identity and roots.
SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER
Between poetry and memory: testimonies of Italian colonisation in Libya
Introduction by UPP and presentation of the poems translated from Libyan to Italian by the poet Fadil al Shalmani, deported to Favignana, the poems will be interpreted by the director, journalist and screenwriter Khalifa Abo Khraisse and the actress Valbona Kunxhiu, accompanied by the projection of the short film La terra dei padri by Francesco Di Gioia. This will be followed by the presentation of the book Il mio solo tormento - Canto di el Agheila, by Rajab Abuhweish, written in the Italian concentration camp in Libya of El Agheila, with readings by Mario Eleno and Manuela Mosè (editors of the Italian edition of the poem). During the readings there will be a musical contribution by Luca Chiavinato, a musician who contributed to the soundtrack of the film "The Order of Things".
Yesterday's Colonialism and Today's Migrations
Introduction to the film "L'ordine delle cose" with Giulia Torrini, president of Un Ponte Per; Marina Pierlorenzi, president of ANPI Rome; Papia Aktar, head of migration ARCI Roma and Silvano Falocco, Yekatit12-19Febbraio Network, Ass. Tezeta.
Presentation of the 'Decolonial Arenas' Award
Award ceremony for the film in the exhibition that has most contributed to bridging the repressed colonial memory
Screening of the film L'ordine delle cose by Andrea Segre, 2017, 115'
An official is tasked with stemming illegal immigration from Libya but his journey has an unexpected outcome.
Under the patronage of
Media Partner
In collaboration with
Together with journalist Francesca Fornario, and speakers from the Italian and European STOP ReArm Europe campaigns, we will question the defence paradigm based on the arms race.
Appointment on Friday 27 June from 17:30 at the METES FLAI CGIL Foundation (Via Dell'Arco De' Ginnasi 6, Rome).
Greetings:
Giovanni Mininni, General Secretary FLAI CGIL
Speakers:
Francesca Fornario, journalist and satirical author
Raffaella Bollini, Stop ReArm Europe Campaign
Francesco Vignarca, Italian Peace and Disarmament Network
Futura D'Aprile, freelance journalist
Giulia Torrini, A Bridge For
This was followed by a tribute to the memory of Ali Rashid, together with Luisa Morgantini, Assopace Palestine.
Event organised as part of the National Assembly of Un Ponte Per.
On 17 June 2025, we look forward to seeing you at Spazio Europa (Piazza Venezia, Rome) for an important day of discussion and mobilisation as part of the Net4Defenders project, dedicated to the protection and support of activists and movements at risk.
The meeting will focus on the theme of the progressive restriction of civic space in Italy and on the consequences of the new Security Decree, which directly affects the right to protest and the viability of social and political activism. An opportunity to discuss, reflect and act together with institutional representatives, organisations and activists committed on the front line on a daily basis.
During the event, theHolistic Protection Hub, a pilot initiative aiming to become a stable and replicable European reference point for the protection of human rights defenders, will be officially presented.
When: Monday 17 June
Time: from 9:00 to 16:00 (official presentation of the hub at 12:00)
Where: Spazio Europa - Piazza Venezia, Rome
For organisational reasons (and to order lunch!), please confirm your participation by filling out the registration form available here.
An event full of inspiring speeches, marking another step in our commitment to HRDs. We look forward to seeing you there!
Results and perspectives of participatory actions towards Italy’s new NAP on Women, Peace, and Security.
Civil society organizations from Italy and the South-West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region, experts in the UN Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, and peacebuilders, will share the results and challenges of their commitment to promoting and supporting the active participation of women and young women in peace processes.
This initiative is promoted by Un Ponte Per ETS within the framework of the Women’s Action For Peace project, aiming to share the results achieved on the ground, promote dialogue with representatives of Italian institutions that have supported the project in the implementation of the IV Italian NAP on WPS, and encourage the exchange of experiences between organizations working and engaging on this theme.
In addition to direct testimonies, Storytelling will be shown, highlighting the everyday and professional experiences of women activists from the intervention areas.
Local practices and experiences will be compared with institutional tools and actors, guiding us in identifying future, participatory trajectories for the definition of Italy's new NAP on WPS.
Downolad the Report IMPACT ASSESSMENT ON WOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN PEACEBUILDING PROCESS >>
The event is part of the “Women’s Action forPeace” project, implemented by Un Ponte PerETS, with the support of DGAP - DirectorateGeneral for Political and Security Affairs of theMAECI - Ministry of Foreign Affairs andInternational Cooperation.
Meeting with activists and institutions Thursday 17 October, h 16:30 at Villa Altieri - Viale Manzoni 47, Rome.
In 2023, worldwide, at least 300 Human Rights Defenders were killed for their activism.
Thousands have suffered arbitrary arrests, persecution, death threats and violence. Because in a world adrift, amidst wars, humanitarian and environmental disasters, there are still thousands of people who believe that another world is possible and fight every day for freedom, justice and peace, facing repression and violence.
Since 2016, Un Ponte Per, an NGO that has been active for over 30 years in the Middle East, and In Difesa Di, a network of Italian civil society organisations, have been working to promote the 'sanctuary city' model in Italy as well, with the aim of raising awareness among local administrations on the need to implement actions in defence of Human Rights Defenders.
In 2022 they intensified their joint efforts with the idea of promoting a similar model also in the capital: Rome as an open city for Human Right Defenders.
n outcome ofUn Ponte Per's experience supporting HRDs in the countries where it operates, andIn Difesa Di's commitment to promoting joint actions among Italian civil society organisations to supportHRDs.
A commitment that has achieved important milestones over the past year:
Thanks to "Shelter City Rome", Rome becomes a "shelter city", offering those who fight for human rights a protected space of rest and "respite" from their daily commitment. The city of Rome is the first Italian city to join the Shelter City network (21 cities and 400 defenders supported in 2022) founded by Justice & Peace Netherlands.
To find out more, we look forward to seeing you on Thursday 17 October, 16:30 at Villa Altieri - Viale Manzoni 47, Rome.
"Everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and fight for the protection and realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international level."
Art. 1 of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the UN General Assembly Resolution 53/144, 8 March 1999.
More than 40 years after its release, Un Ponte Per brings "IL LEONE DEL DESERTO" (1981, directed by Mustafa Akkad, starring Anthony Quinn, Irene Papas and Oliver Reed, 173', sub Italian language version) to Italian cinemas for the first time to recall the responsibilities of Italian colonialism in Libya.
A historical film based on the life of the Senussite leader Omar al-Mukhtar leading the fight against colonial occupation and the harsh Italian repression, it has never been shown in cinemas. The film has been boycotted in Italy since its release. Considered by the government to be 'detrimental to the honour of the army', its distribution was blocked. In 1987, the Digos prevented its screening in Trento during a pacifist meeting.
On 16 September 2024, Libyan Day in memory of the victims of colonisation, Un Ponte Per is organising screenings in 12 cities: Rome, Turin, Naples, Milan, Arezzo, Monza, Bologna, Modena, Pisa, Catania, Florence and Verona!
The event is promoted as part of the initiatives to establish the Day of Remembrance for the victims of Italian colonialism, and aims to bring attention to the responsibilities of our country during the period of colonial occupation in Libya, the Horn of Africa and the Balkans.
Each screening will be preceded by a brief introduction and historical contextualisation.
For info: write to decoloniale@unponteper.it
Programme and details of events on 16/09* in each city:
The entire programme of events is realised with the support of Associazione Nazionale Partigiani d'Italia - ANPI Nazionale, Rete Yekatit 12-19 febbraio and WILPF Italia.
And thanks to the support of all local associations on the list of individual initiatives.
Thanks to Magesticfilm and the cinemas that will host the event.
The film will be shown in the original version with subtitles. Viewing is reserved for audiences over the age of 14.
Would you like to organise a screening in a cinema in your city? Write to decoloniale@unponteper.it
