Welcome Association Italy to Italian Culture Forum: Open Dialogue on Freedom and Peace

Welcome Association Italy took part, with great enthusiasm, in the Italian Culture Forum, held Sept. 7 at the FORMA SPAZI Convention Center in Via Cavour 181, Rome. The meeting, which brought together nonprofit associations, local producers, artists and scholars, focused on promoting culture, freedom of expression and peace.

The Forum, organized with the aim of supporting Italian excellence and strengthening cultural and social ties, offered numerous opportunities for discussion through panel discussions, exhibitions and keynote speeches. The panel discussion "Culture is Freedom" featured prominent representatives from academia and associations, who explored the role of culture as a tool for protecting rights and promoting pluralism.

Among the speeches, Foad Aodi, president of the Association of Doctors of Foreign Origin in Italy (AMSI) and a longtime friend of Welcome Association Italy, was particularly appreciated. Aodi stressed the importance of promoting open intercultural dialogue and building bridges between different communities as a path to peace and coexistence. His contribution was a strong reminder of the need to overcome prejudice through culture and collaboration, particularly at a time in history marked by conflict and division.

Together with the other panelists, including Matilde De Giovanni, president of the Maieutica Association, and Franca De Santis, president of the Land of Fathers Association, they discussed the challenges that independent information faces in ensuring freedom of thought in an increasingly complex and polarized global context. Participants shared concrete proposals to protect pluralism and keep the critical spirit alive within communities.

During the debate, it emerged how culture can act as a real tool of peaceful resistance, able to counter authoritarian drifts and build a peaceful future. Welcome Association Italy took the opportunity to reiterate its commitment to the inclusion and protection of the rights of foreign citizens, acting as a bridge between the different cultural realities present in Italy.

The event concluded with a renewed call for cooperation among the associations present and a message of hope for the future. As emphasized in the Forum, culture remains a fundamental pillar for building a more just and inclusive society capable of ensuring freedom and dignity for all.