With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in the framework of the Italian Presidency Semester of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the event Cultural Itineraries for the Dialogue between Generations took place on Friday 17th December at the State High School “G. Pantaleo” of Castelvetrano (TP). A workshop for young people. Castelvetrano hosts the headquarters of the Phoenicians’ Route since its establishment in 2003.
MAECI’s decision to support the event is part of the Italian Presidency’s strong focus on young people, on the protection of their rights, but also on the objective of preparing them to exercise aware and responsible citizenship, through an education inspired by the pursuit of peace and the protection of human rights and the rule of law. For this reason, we have planned several initiatives during our term of office to foster a better knowledge, also on the part of young people, of the Council of Europe and of the values and principles of which it is the guardian and promoter.
The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe are an invitation to travel and discover Europe’s rich and varied cultural heritage and to create a network of people and places linked by a shared history and heritage. The 45 certified Cultural Routes offer a wide range of themes and cover various historical periods: from architecture and landscape to religions and spirituality, gastronomy, and intangible heritage, to the great masters of European art, music, and literature. Each itinerary contributes to enhancing and promoting the cultural heritage of the various European regions, considering the differences that represent the great wealth of our continent. Italy is one of the European countries with the highest number of certified Cultural Routes (27), some of which have their institutional headquarters in Italy.
In this context, the main objective of the event organised by the Association La Rotta dei Fenici, Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, was to propose a reflection on topical and vital issues such as environmental sustainability, the enhancement of cultural, natural and landscape heritage through new professions and technological innovation.
Thanks to the participation of representatives of several Cultural Routes and experts in the field, they were able to reflect on the role of the Routes as real “Yards for Young People” and deepen the post-Covid condition and the prospects of the new generations. Tania Barresi, Headmaster of the High School, Antonio Barone, Director of the Phoenicians’ Route – Cultural Itinerary of the Council of Europe and Roberta Alberotanza, Consultant Directorate-General for Political and Security Affairs, Task Force for the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe opened the meeting.
Friday’s appointment is configured as the official presentation of the activities for the 2022 European Year of Youth by the Phoenicians’ Route, which since 2014, has established an International Network of Mediterranean Schools (EduNet), intending to create a cultural space of exchange and proposals based on sound educational practices and heritage pedagogy, on the themes of identity and enhancement of cultural heritage, to strengthen the commitment of young people in the promotion of intercultural dialogue.
In 2022, the initiative will continue to develop thanks to the collaboration with several schools in Italy and some important transversal associates of the Phoenicians’ Route. Among them the Tourist Observatory of the European Islands OTIE, the Archaeological Groups of Italy GAL and the National Union of Italian Pro Loco UNPLI – involved in the implementation of activities based on the Faro Convention that will be applied in all the territories of the Phoenicians’ Route, in the European and non-European countries involved, from Lebanon to Portugal, in a Euro-Mediterranean perspective.
