UN Assembly of Peoples: the final day addresses the issues of the future, solidarity, and hospitality - October 11, 2025, Perugia
The third day of the UN Assembly of Peoples opened on Saturday, October 11, with the fourth session dedicated to the theme “Defending, saving, and caring for refugees and migrants”. The meeting was attended by a wide range of key figures: journalists and documentary filmmakers, legal experts, representatives of humanitarian organizations, migrant rights activists, sea rescue workers, refugees, and migrants who shared their direct experiences.
In parallel with the main session, numerous other significant events took place, enriching the Assembly's program. Among these, the conference “For an Economy/s of Peace”, organized by the Umbria Cooperative League, explored sustainable and peace-oriented economic models. The National Assembly of Local Authorities for Peace and Human Rights brought together representatives of municipalities and regions to discuss strategies for promoting peace at the local level. The National Conference of Municipal Council Presidents for Peace provided a platform for dialogue for local political leaders engaged in peace initiatives. Finally, the National Meeting of Peace Schools involved students and educators in a discussion on educational practices for promoting a culture of peace.
In the afternoon, the fifth and final session began with the theme “For a Europe of Peace.” The panel featured a diverse group of experts, including European parliamentarians such as Marco Tarquinio and Dario Tamburrano, activists from Stop Rearm Europe, representatives of national and international movements and associations, and academics. The presentations ranged from European peace policies to civil society initiatives, offering a multidimensional perspective on Europe's role as a peace actor in the global context.
The Assembly ended with the panel “Transforming the Future,” giving voice to a diverse representation of young peacebuilders, refugees, students, and activists from different parts of the world, including South Sudan, Kenya, Guatemala, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Colombia. This final meeting provided a platform for sharing direct experiences and visions for a peaceful future. Particularly significant were the testimonies of Monica Nyareng Malith (South Sudan) and Akeya Zeleke Dadi (Ethiopia), two young activists for justice and peace who participated in the assembly thanks to the support of the Human Rights Center and the Municipality of Padua. The debate was enriched by the reflections of Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation in the Palestinian Territories Occupied since 1967. The meeting highlighted the importance of youth engagement and international cooperation for the positive transformation of society.
Tomorrow, Sunday, October 12, the PerugiAssisi 2025 March for Peace and Fraternity is scheduled to take place. A delegation of over 100 people from the University of Padua will also participate in the March, including professors, technical and administrative staff, civil service volunteers, and a large group of students who will walk together toward a future of fraternity and justice.