On 30 June, the European Parliament’s office in Rome hosted the international conference “A New EU Vision for Cooperation in the Wider Mediterranean and the Gulf”, organised on the occasion of the annual assembly of R.I.D.E. – the Italian Network for Euro-Mediterranean Dialogue, part of the Anna Lindh Foundation, of which Rondine Cittadella della Pace is a member.
Coordinated by Enrico Molinaro, president of Prospettive Mediterranee and secretary-general of R.I.D.E., the meeting brought together representatives from institutions, religious and civic organisations and civil society. It provided a space for discussion on the main political, cultural and spiritual issues shaping the Euro-Mediterranean and Gulf regions.
The debate focused on issues that are central to the future of regional cooperation, from the protection of the Holy Places to good practices in religious freedom and community life.
Rondine contributed to the panel through Mauro D’Andrea, director of its Department of Training and International Relations, who shared the experience developed at the Cittadella della Pace (Citadel of Peace). In his remarks, D’Andrea described interreligious dialogue as a concrete practice of mutual recognition among young people from contexts marked by armed conflict, stressing the role of education in turning conflict into an opportunity for growth, responsibility and change.
Rondine’s contribution also focused on the role of younger generations in citizen diplomacy: a form of diplomacy from below, rooted in relationships, listening and the ability to rebuild trust where conflict has produced distance, fear and polarisation.
Rondine’s participation in the conference confirms its commitment to educational pathways that prepare young women and men to contribute to dialogue, peaceful coexistence and cooperation across the Mediterranean, Europe and beyond.
