Diplomats, politicians, academics and experts will hold a debate today on “The Italian Diplomacy of the future and the Outlook for a European Diplomacy”. The conference, hosted by the “Mario Toscano” Diplomatic Institute (ISDI) in Villa Madama, is being organised by the National Association of Retired Diplomats (ASSDIPLAR) and the Sapienza University in Rome. It also enjoys the collaboration of the Farnesina, the European Commission’s Representation in Italy, the Institute of International Affairs (IAI), the Italian Institute for International Political Studies, the Italian Society for International Organisation and the European External Action Service. Proceedings will be opened by Stefano Baldi, Director of the Diplomatic Institute. Other speakers include Giusandrea Mochi Onory, President of ASSDIPLAR; Antonello Folco Biagini, Deputy Rector of Sapienza University; and the Director of the EU representation, Lucio Battistotti.
New forms of diplomacy
The topic will be explored in a number of sessions, starting with “The Farnesina in a time of change”. This session will include Elisabetta Belloni, Director General for Human Resources and Innovation, and the President of the Fondazione Mezzogiorno Europa, Umberto Ranieri. Ambassador Luigi Vittorio Ferraris will act as moderator.
The session will be followed by a debate on “The future shape of European diplomacy”, moderated by Giampiero Gramaglia, from the IAI, with the MFA’s Director General for the European Union, Luigi Mattiolo. Other topics for discussion include “What training for the diplomats of the future?” and “New forms of diplomacy”.
The last session will examine “Diplomacy for the ‘Country System’”, with the participation of Fabrizio Cicchitto, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the Chamber of Deputies, and the MFA’s Director General for Country Promotion, Andrea Meloni. Moderator will be Ambassador Umberto Vattani. Daniele Verga, Deputy President of ASSDIPLAR, will present the conclusions.
