International Human Rights Day 2025: Let's disarm ourselves and rebuild political love for peace and fraternity, University of Padova, 10 December 2025

National conference on International Human Rights Day following the Perugia-Assisi Peace and Fraternity March

For many, politics today is a bad word, and it cannot be ignored that behind this fact there are often the mistakes, corruption, and inefficiency of some politicians. Added to this are strategies that aim to weaken it, replace it with economics, or dominate it with some ideology. And yet, can the world function without politics? Can it find an effective path to universal fraternity and social peace without good politics?
Pope Francis, “Fratelli Tutti”

Program

9:00 a.m. Registration

9:30 a.m.

Welcome and introduction

Carlo Millino, Zoe Schiesaro, Anna Negri, Magdalene Pellegrin, Students of the Degree Course in Political Science, International Relations, and Human Rights at the University of Padova; Marco Mascia, President of the University Center for Human Rights “Antonio Papisca,” UNESCO Chair in Human Rights, Democracy, and Peace, University of Padova; Coordinator of the Italian University Network for Peace (RUniPace)

Speakers

Massimiliano Presciutti, President of the Province of Perugia and of the National Coordination of Local Authorities for Peace and Human Rights

Francesca Benciolini, Councilor for Peace, Human Rights, and International Cooperation, Municipality of Padova

Francesco Tagliaferri, Mayor of Vicchio (Barbiana)

Marzia Marchesi, Councilor for Peace, Municipality of Bergamo

Giulia Robol, Mayor of Rovereto

Chiara Buson, Mayor of Rubano

Gabriella Salviulo, President of the Tito Livio Lions Club, Padova

Franco De Vincentis, Headmaster, Liceo Ginnasio Statale “Giorgione,” Castelfranco Veneto

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Human Rights Hour

Introduction
Fabiana Cruciani, Headmistress, Coordinator of the National Network of Peace Schools

Speakers
Gaia Cupoli, Alessia Mori, Thomas Guzzo, Myriam Barba, Helena Susta, Young Peace Builders

Teresa Cucca, Student of the Master's Degree Course in Human Rights and Multilevel Governance at the University of Padova

Giovanni Selmo, Councilor for Peace and Human Rights, Municipality of Vicenza

Vania Trolese, Deputy Mayor, Municipality of Camponogara

Student at Bertolucci High School in Parma

Student at schools in Padova

12:00 p.m.

Closing remarks

Flavio Lotti, President of the PerugiAssisi Foundation for the Culture of Peace, Director of the National Coordination of Local Authorities for Peace and Human Rights

12:10 p.m.

Call to action for the human rights of young people in universal civil service at the Human Rights Center of the University of Padova

Ylli Alija, Noemi Musella, Giulia Guatieri

12:20 p.m.

Flash mob: Let's defend human rights. Everyone can do something (via VIII Febbraio)

* * *

The conference “Political Love for Peace and Fraternity” is promoted by: the “Antonio Papisca” University Center for Human Rights and the UNESCO Chair in Human Rights, Democracy, and Peace at the University of Padova, the Municipality of Padova, the Municipality of Vicenza, the Municipality of Camponogara, PerugiAssisi Foundation for the Culture of Peace, National Network of Schools for Peace, National Coordination of Local Authorities for Peace and Human Rights, Network of Italian Universities for Peace, Veneto Region Human Rights Peace Archive, and the Tito Livio Padova Lions Club.

With the participation of the “Young Peace Builders” and students from the degree course in “Political Science, International Relations, Human Rights” and the Master's degree course in “Human Rights and Multi-level Governance,” University of Padova; “Eugenio Curiel” Scientific High School (Padova), “Concetto Marchesi” High School (Padova), Leonardo da Vinci High School (Padova), Giovanni Valle High School (Padova), Maria Ausiliatrice High School (Padova), Giorgione State High School (Castelfranco Veneto), Leon Battista Alberti High School (Abano Terme).

The conference “Political Love for Peace and Brotherhood” is an integral part of the national civic education program ‘Sbellichiamoci’ (Let's Disarm Ourselves) to “disarm words to disarm minds to disarm the earth” and train young artisans and architects of peace... in the footsteps of Francis (2025-2026).

To participate in person in the Aula Magna, registration is required at the following link: https://forms.gle/KS41Eyk6WzuHfLZq8

It is possible to participate online via the Zoom platform: https://unipd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_EZViKqpGTGuPqfjXmSp6Vw

The event will also be streamed live on the Human Rights Center's YouTube channel:

For further information:
Human Rights Centre "Antonio Papisca"
Via Beato Pellegrino, 28 – Padova - Tel. 049 827 1811

PerugiAssisi Foundation for the Culture of Peace
Via della Viola 1 (06122) Perugia - Tel. 335.1401733