Special International Festival of European Geopolitics

The traditional international event dedicated to European geopolitics is in Venice

The Museum of the Twentieth Century in Venice Mestre hosted the fourth edition of the International Festival of European Geopolitics from 8 to 11 May

by Domenico LETIZIA

A detailed analysis of the most current topics of geopolitical interest: international order and disorder, the role of education and culture, Mediterranean contrasts and integrations, European defence, security, future scenarios, energy transition, intelligence artificial, space, the South of the world and new balances, agricultural policies, development and protection of the environment and the world legal order.

These were the topics addressed by representatives of Italian and international institutions, diplomats, experts, journalists, entrepreneurs, military personnel and academics, the subject of the now traditional Venetian event dedicated to in-depth analysis of the international situation.

The Festival, which was concluded by a speech by the Minister of Justice, Carlo Nordio, on "Forza e Diritto" and by the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, was held. from 9 to 11 May 2024, at the M9 – Museo del '900, precisely in the days of the changeover between the president Michele Bugliesi and the new president Vincenzo Marinese, in its "Cesare De Michelis" Auditorium the fourth edition of the International Festival of European Geopolitics, three days of meetings and debates on the role of Italy and Europe in governing the world.

Beginning of the work of the International Festival of European Geopolitics with "The Hymn of the Rights of Man", co-written by the Mazzanti brothers, freely inspired by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Paris, 1948), sung by Carlotta Melchiori. Subsequently, Andrea Tomaello, vice mayor of the Municipality of Venice, recalled the centrality and dependence of Venice on global scenarios and issues. Subsequently, the message written by Luca Zaia is read: "To the proceedings of the fourth edition of the International Festival of European Geopolitics I express with this letter not only my ideal closeness but also my highest consideration for this initiative which, drawing inspiration from the historic role of hinge that Venice has embodied over the centuries, explores the ongoing transformations through a systemic vision. We live in an increasingly interconnected and digitalized way, understanding the challenges of the present, even when these initially appear distant to us due to geography and cultural peculiarities, constitutes the only possible key to understanding the future and in light of these considerations I would like to thank the I wish the entire organizing committee and all those who supported it and made it possible to organize this year's edition a great success"

Therefore, there were many interventions and debates with a multidisciplinary approach.

"Every event that concerns us is conditioned by what happens in a highly globalized and interconnected world. From this perspective, the Festival aims to deepen and disseminate geostrategic policies from the point of view not of the single national reality but from the ultra-state and European one. - underlined the journalist and presenter Elonora Lorusso at the beginning - This does not mean ignoring the role and contribution of Italy with its specific history, its cultural and anthropological identity, its economic and productive interests, but inserting them into an enlarged continental context, as is essential in this historical situation. Objective of the Festival, organized by the Municipality of Venice, the Metropolitan City and the International Affairs Magazine "Atlantis", with the support of the Veneto Region, in collaboration with the Circolo di Diplomatici Studi, the Italian Office of the Council of Europe, Confindustria Veneto, Europe Direct Venezia and Vela Spa, is to propose Venice as an international center of reflection on geopolitical dynamics".

High school students from Veneto also participated in the Festival, as part of the PCTO on Introduction to Geopolitics organized - the first in Italy underlined by the Veneto Regional Councilor for Education (now MEP), Elena Donazzan - by M9, Region of Veneto and the Regional School Office, who supported the press office in selecting the most important news emerging during the event.

"The Veneto Region intends to enhance the project and the complex issues of our current affairs. In this Festival, geopolitics is explored in depth thanks to the interventions of numerous experts. An approach for the innovation of teaching and an in-depth study for our contemporaneity. - underlined Donazzan - Venice is at the center of the history of geopolitics and diplomacy. The limit of our society is that we think we have all the information when, in fact, many issues need to be explored in depth. So let's try to offer schools something more. My department aims to grow this vision and this planning."

Numerous topics were addressed during the Festival's work:

World disorder was the theme addressed by Manlio Graziano, professor at SciencesPo and at the Sorbonne in Paris: "The multiplication of conflicts that we have been witnessing for some time seems to have resulted in a tragic world disorder - he underlined in his opening speech - A war in full Europe and the dramatic flare-up of the crisis in the Middle East have contributed to the perception that the reality around us is increasingly chaotic and uncontrollable. In reality, is a new world order that brings well-being and stability possible or is it just an evocation with which we try to calm the anxiety and fear caused by the danger of a possible third world war? The truth is that in history there has never been a moment of total absence of conflict. The United States is today losing what remains of its stabilizing hegemony. The chaotic and conflictual character of world politics is therefore destined to last. Only with this awareness can we face the challenges that await us in the years to come."

Europe and Culture between past and future was the topic addressed by the Patriarch of Venice Monsignor Francesco Moraglia: "As stated by Macron during his recent interview with the Economist, it becomes essential to underline the values ​​of democracy. Democratic values ​​must be centered on the well-being of communities, helping the weakest. There are many wars in our international scenario and this is also a mistake made by Europe. European fragility has become clear with Brexit. Democracy is not a formal fact. The electoral aspect is not the cornerstone of democracy, but the values ​​of freedom and democratic participation must be at the centre."

Education and international projects, with a direct connection with the Italian Embassy in the United States of America: Maria Fusco, Director of the School Office and Michela Carboniero, First Cultural Counselor of the Embassy described the Twinning Project, below is Marco's speech Bussetti, Director of the Veneto Regional School Office, former Minister of Education.

Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean between contrasts and integration: "Witness to the development of civilizations, the Adriatic has been the backdrop to stories that are extraordinary in themselves such as the history of Venice, the history of Italy itself, the history of the Balkans - said Egidio Ivetic , historian and professor at the University of Padua - In a few contexts, even on a global scale, we find so many contrasting yet connotative aspects piled up in time and space, so many references to different civilisations. The Adriatic is at the same time a closed sea, a sea of ​​passage, a border between East and West, a sea that unites and divides at the same time." Arduino Paniccia, professor at the University of Trieste and Gorizia, strategic expert, drew attention to some current aspects, namely the Chinese attempt to penetrate Albania, Greece and even Italy with the Port of Trieste. "Italy has a great opportunity - underlined Paniccia - the role of balancer in the wider Mediterranean that almost everyone assigns to it but it is a responsibility that we must make ours without hesitation or ambiguity because it is within our reach without imperial temptations, God forbid , but doing what we know how to do, starting with our Navy." Raffaele Speranzon, Senator and member of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the Senate of the Republic, highlighted the Government's action with agreements with various countries in the area, agreements which should bear fruit in the coming months and years and then spoke of "Venice succeeded in Byzantium in the dominion of the Adriatic Sea which was actually called the Gulf of Venice, with the coexistence and clashes with the Ottomans, until the ascendancy of the Habsburg Empire".

European Defense and International Security is the panel with which the first day of the festival closed. Participants: Paolo Casardi, Ambassador and Co-President of Circolo Studi Diplomatici, Stefano Cont, General, European Defense Agency, Enrico Della Gatta (remote), Vice President Responsible for Geopolitical Studies & Advocacy, Fincantieri, Pete Lapp (remote), Former FBI , Massimiliano Lauretti, Rear Admiral, Head of the 3rd Maritime Plans, Operations and Strategy Department of the Navy General Staff, Sabrina Zuccalà, 4WardAerospace & Defence. "The path of a desirable European army seems to finally be at an advanced stage - Casardi began - even if currently the number of soldiers available is still completely small". General Cont, from his privileged observatory (European Defense Agency) confirmed the European desire to move in the direction of unified armed forces. Rear Admiral Lauretti described Operation Aspides. "On 19 February, the European Union launched its naval operation in the northwestern Indian Ocean. This is EUNAVFOR Aspides (a term deriving from ancient Greek meaning "shield"), a defensive maritime security operation, launched in response to the Houthi attacks in the southern Red Sea. - explained Lauretti - Currently, the fleet in charge of the operation is made up of four multi-role frigates: the Lorraine, sent from France (and replaced, on rotation, by the Alsace); Hessen, supplied by Germany (which, by rotation, will replace it with Hamburg in August); the Hydra, supplied by Greece (which will soon replace it with the Psara), and, finally, the Fasan, sent from Italy (and replaced, by rotation, the Caio Duilio).

In the first month of operation, the fleet achieved significant results across the full spectrum of naval defense tasks envisaged by the Aspides mandate, escorting 35 ships and shooting down over a dozen enemy drones.". The importance of coordination in the military production of weapons and ammunition, for example, was underlined by the representatives of the companies: Della Gatta for Fincantieri for the naval sector and Zuccalà of 4Ward Aerospace & Defense for the nanotechnology sector responsible for both aerospace and submarine. Finally, connection with the United States of America with the former FBI agent, Lapp

The second day was opened by the interview of the journalist Eleonora Lorusso with Mario Schwetz, Director of the Italian Office of the Council of Europe. Human rights and promotion of the environment are priorities for the Council of Europe. "The Council of Europe is centered on important and fundamental values: democracy, rule of law and human rights. They are fundamental values ​​and countries that do not respect these values ​​are excluded from the Council and in fact Russia is not part of it. The Venice Commission meets four times a year in Venice as this city is historically at the center of dynamics linked to the rule of law and much attention is dedicated to international logics. I want to remind you that in March the amnesty for Spain was discussed in Venice. It is important to progress in the development of European projects and democracy. The Council of Europe tries to enforce the human rights of every country and we try to put pressure on the growth of democratic values. In Europe we can say that the rule of law has evolved and advanced while in other countries we must work to increase democracy. European economic development is also the fruit of the society and legal system that characterizes us. For example, Russia invests a lot in defense and the military industry but how does the population live in Russia? How can we describe the state of democracy in Russia?", reiterated Mario Schwetz.

Future scenarios, artificial intelligence and energy: the Panel was attended by Andrea Bos, President of Hydrogen Park; Diego Ciulli remotely, Public Policy of Google Italy, Andrea Gilli, Senior Researcher at the NATO Defense College; Riccardo Meggiato, cyber-security consultant; William Nonnis remotely, Technical Analyst for digitalisation and innovation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers and Michele Viglianisi, Head of HSEQ Energy Evolution at Eni. The president of Hydrogen Park discussed the current affairs of the European Green Deal, analyzing the energy complexity of our contemporary world and the relationship that exists between hydrogen, nuclear power and energy diversification. Emphasizing Venice's fundamental role in the development of hydrogen technology, Bos addressed the focus of energy independence with a keen eye on continued development in key sectors such as the Port of Venice, now competing with Rotterdam and Hamburg for commercial traffic. Michele Viglianis talked about the transformation and recycling of materials: "a challenge that the chemical industry is and will have to face further in the years to come. Time is the biggest obstacle regarding the realization of this project. The transition towards more sustainable practices requires constant and patient commitment, as any significant change requires the time necessary for its implementation". According to experts, decarbonisation is crucial: with the adoption of biofuels and electrification in the automotive sector, we could reduce global emissions by up to 25%. Diego Ciulli then intervened and argued that the advent of the Internet is another central element for geopolitics. "Europe is addressing this challenge by regulating the digital environment with common regulations, working closely with the United States to ensure consistency and security. The introduction of Artificial Intelligence has marked a radical change, a tangible impact in the industrial sector and in the promotion of cooperation", reiterated the Google Italy expert. Andrea Gilli addressed the issue of the technological superiority of Western countries and European economic dynamics. According to Riccardo Meggiato, one of the main dangers related to AI lies in the saturation of data which could compromise the security of IT systems. "AI is capable of processing a vast amount of information in an extremely short time, but this entails the risk of excessive dependence on a potentially insecure database", reiterated Meggiato. Speaking online, the expert Nonnis stated. "The crucial goal we must all pursue is to educate the global community on the responsible use of technology. In an era where technology so profoundly influences every aspect of our lives, it is essential to ensure that everyone has the skills necessary to use it constructively and consciously. Digital education means not only teaching technical skills, but also promoting awareness of the risks and ethical implications related to the use of technology. Only through solid education can we maximize the benefits of technology while mitigating potential digital risks and inequalities."

Space and Geopolitics: The space economy and spatial research at the center of the work of the International Festival of European Geopolitics with a panel dedicated to "Space and Geopolitics". The panel saw the participation of Davide Cipelletti, General of the SMD Space Office; Alessio Grasso, Manager of the Dallara Aerospace & Defense company; Danilo Rubini, Head of Relations with the EU of the Italian Space Agency; Stefano Stefanile, Head of Institutional Relations at Avio Spa and Sirio Zolea, Researcher at Roma Tre University. General Cipelletti examined the skills of the SMD Space Office in defining policies related to technological innovation, international cooperation, management of Defense programs and support for the Cabinet of the Inter-ministerial Committee for space and aerospace policies. "The space strategy is a combination of national and international context. Once we looked at space with wonder while today various concerns are emerging related to the aggressive competition between different subjects and entities. The absence of a clear regulatory framework is the biggest problem for space policies. Important actors to monitor are China and Russia who appear to be allies but have completely different aerospace priorities", reiterated the General. Italian aerospace is also characterized by the affirmation of Italian excellence. Avio is an Italian company known throughout the world for technologies related to space propulsion. "Thanks to Italian space propulsion we are also able to establish ourselves in the field of the satellite industry and in that of digital and telecommunications services," stated Stefano Stefanile. A reality that deserves deep attention is that of the Italian Space Agency which manages all Italian space activities. "Italian space activities involve many ministerial institutions. Foreign policies and those related to communications are important pillars that must be valorised. The transversality of space activities is enormous. ASI deals with earth observation, innovative transport and space exploration", reiterated Danilo Rubino. Alessio Grasso, manager of Dallara Aerospace&Defence, focused attention on the scientific experiments of the Defense and on the protagonism of private companies which are becoming increasingly important in the affirmation of new technologies and products for space. Sirio Zolea of ​​Roma Tre University focused on international treaties and space governance. "The logic of the free market and the myth of the frontier also affects space and the role of private individuals in the space race is emerging. China, on the other hand, has a different vision and is aiming for the hegemony of public structures for the space race. Europe is aiming for a model centered on public-private partnership," reiterated the professor from Roma Tre University. Ultimately, no national government has authority over property rights in space, effectively ensuring an environment of absent regulation and difficult and challenging oversight at the moment.

The South of the World in the new global balance: the journalist Oliviero Bergamini, moderated by Massimo Ambrosetti, Italian Ambassador in Beijing (connected remotely); Luigi Di Maio, Special Representative of the European Union for the Gulf region, former Foreign Minister; Maurizio Melani, Ambassador, Co-President of the Diplomatic Studies Club; Antonio Parenti, Director of the European Commission Representation in Italy. Ambassador of Beijing

"Chinese foreign policy is permeated by what we can define as an attitude of civilization - underlined Ambrosetti - It is important to understand that China in the twenty-first century has had an enormous theoretical re-elaboration of its guidelines. The Taiwan issue was one of the thorniest ones, defined as one of the reddest lines. The People's Republic of China's claims to Taiwan demonstrate a claim based on the fact that Taiwan is culturally part of China. After Ukraine and Gaza, There is a Chinese reworking of the West's double standards"

"The South of the world is a very important issue because it is characterized by continuous demographic growth - said Luigi Di Maio - in the years in which I was Foreign Minister I saw the opening of a narrative according to which there is a global South but also a polarization of the rest of the world against the West, if we see the post-2020 events we can observe this with vaccines, the withdrawal of American soldiers from Afghanistan, then we saw Ukraine, there was another polarization there in which a narrative for which the West was the provocateur was inserted. The global south is becoming increasingly important because it is a part of the world that is growing demographically, in Niger the average age is 17, in Italy it is 48. The European Union is the first in the green economy but this means searching for raw materials. The real big theme is that although this narrative is fueled against us, because in the south of the world they look at our economic system, let's forget about the one you value because there are different cultures".

"The phenomenon of globalization has determined new balances… - underlined Melani - which for some countries corresponds to a recovery of roles also had in the past, China, after the industrial revolution, at the end of the second half of the 18th century, had a GDP that it constituted two-thirds of world industrial production. In 1990, when the phenomenon of globalization was coming to life, the Oxe countries had an energy consumption of 55%; China by 7% and the rest of the world by 38%. Oxe countries currently account for 35% of energy consumption; China 25%; while the rest of the world 40%".

"The glue that holds these countries together is anti-Westernism - said Parenti - the European Union is starting to enter into a perspective of collective work, the mechanism that is currently working is the so-called 'team union'. The truth is that where there is Chinese investment there is also local discontent. It is here and then that we must intervene."

Lidia Bastianich, Italian-American cook, writer and above all entrepreneur, spoke remotely as a testimonial of Italian food and cuisine in the world

"Food is the culture of the place you come from - she underlined - My favorite dish is creamed cod, after all I was an Istrian refugee and as a child I lived, albeit briefly, in Venice".

Feeding the world and saving the environment: Global perspectives and problems related to food and sustainable development in Europe and the South of the World were among the topics addressed during the work of the International Festival of European Geopolitics. The afternoon of May 9th saw a conversation between the journalist Fabrizio Stelluto and Senator Luca De Carlo, President of the Agriculture Commission of the Senate of the Republic. Senator De Carlo highlighted the Italian food political path of the last twenty years and the concerns for the national agricultural supply chain triggered by European choices on climate and environment. Subsequently, the panel "Feeding the world, saving the environment" took place with the interventions of Cristina Tinelli, Director of EU and International Relations of Confagricoltura; Maurizio Melani, Ambassador, Co-President of the Diplomatic Studies Club; Marco Aurelio Pasti, Italian Academy of Geographers and Francesco Vincenzi, President of Irrigants d'Europe, moderated by Fabrizio Stelluto. "We need to act immediately in Europe where we are witnessing the problems triggered by climate change. Feeding the world and saving the environment is a European priority and a global challenge and we ask for a further institutional effort: the European Union must achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The climate impact and food production in Europe follows the strategy Farm to Fork but these choices are triggering problems in European production. I ask young people to carefully evaluate the relationship between the environment and agriculture, common sense is needed, science and trust are needed in comparison with those who make a living from agriculture", reiterated Cristina Tinelli. Achieving the objectives set by the European agenda is necessary for sustainable development according to Ambassador Maurizio Melani. "We need to fight deforestation on a global level and this is also essential to combat carbon emissions," reiterated Ambassador Maurizio Melani. The attention on new technologies, genomics, the need for new infrastructures capable of retaining greater quantities of water to be used in times of need, the awareness that we live in a complex environment, for the protection of which realistic objectives must be pursued, defining actions achievable and the European public discussion on the various aspects related to GMOs were the central focuses addressed by Marco Aurelio Pasti, of the Italian Academy of Geographers, and by Francesco Vincenzi, President of Irrigants d'Europe. Furthermore, the current situation regarding access to water for the Alps is worrying, as the lack of water in the Alpine lakes, in addition to a fairly poor snow cover compared to essential needs, is generating great concerns.

The conclusions of the Festival saw the presence of Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of the City of Venice with the Rai Journalist Elisa Billato and the Minister of Justice Carlo Nordio, with the Editor-in-Chief of Il Gazzettino, Roberto Papetti. "The justice reform does not aim to eliminate the independence of the judiciary. - Nordio reiterated - I have been a magistrate for decades and I would never want to sabotage the activities of the judiciary but I can say with conviction that the justice reform will be carried out". The reform must pass through Montecitorio and if there are no problems it will be definitively approved. "A working group on justice has been set up in Venice which meets periodically to address major current issues: artificial intelligence and its consequences. AI is a tool for man and must be controlled and monitored because it can bring important improvements to the action of man and humanity. The current fear is that it could replace man. The other problem is that it can manipulate the news and create an unreal world with the data of real people, ruining the lives of many individuals", reiterated the Minister. Carlo Nordio also dealt with the emerging problem linked to the spread of the powerful synthetic opioid, 50 times more powerful than heroin, "Fentanyl", the abuse of which can have lethal consequences. "It costs little but can have extremely serious damage. In America there are already 60,000 deaths and even in Canada there is a worrying increase in consumption. Even in Italy it is spreading among young people and must be stopped", reiterated Nordio. The minister also spoke on the recent student protest against Minister Roccella which spoke at the General States of Birth and was strongly contested by numerous students. "To those who silenced Minister Roccella by taking away her right to express their ideas, I say to go and live in Russia with Putin," the minister relaunched.

Also speaking during the festival were Farian Sabahi, Writer, Senior Researcher in Contemporary History at the University of Insubria (in this issue of Atlantis, an exclusive interview with her by Eleonora Lorusso); Nello Musumeci, (video intervention), Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies of Italy, Raffaele Fitto (video intervention), Minister for European Affairs, the South, Cohesion Policies and the PNRR, Adolfo Urso (video intervention)

Minister of Business and Made in Italy, Luca De Carlo, President of the Agriculture Commission of the Senate of the Republic.

Present, as in all previous editions, were the students of the Faculty of International Relations of the University of Gorizia, editors of the magazine Sconfinare.

Grand finale on the last day with a cello concert performed by the musician Federico Motta.