ARTICLE 4: ITALY

Municipality of Soriano nel Cimino

Empathy in Action: Italy Explores Human Rights and Global Solidarity

As part of the “The Culture is Cool” project, co-funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) program, the institutional delegation of the Municipality of Soriano nel Cimino adopted a deeply human and supportive approach to cultural dialogue. The local workshop, focused on the theme “Human Rights and Migration,” aimed to foster among young generations a deep capacity for empathy, a greater sense of global citizenship, and authentic European solidarity.

The young Italians took part in the famous and engaging simulation “Take a Step Forward,” during which each participant was assigned a specific role, such as a foreign worker, a refugee, or a local student. The facilitator read a series of statements regarding fundamental human rights, and participants could step forward only when the mentioned right was granted to their assigned character. In this way, social inequalities became immediately visible. After an in-depth quiz titled “Global Challenges,” dedicated to the geography of migration and international organizations such as the United Nations, the youth took part in the intense emotional simulation “Journey into the Unknown.” During the activity, they had to pack a symbolic suitcase, selecting only five items within a very tight time limit, before facing a simulated border interview. Through these particularly intense and engaging experiential activities, the young participants developed deep awareness and a strong sense of global empathy.

The significant focus placed on human dignity served as an important prelude to the final conference held in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, which officially opened on Thursday, June 18, 2026. Following the scheduled program, the opening day brought together official delegations and international partners for registration activities and a welcome lunch. Subsequently, the official opening ceremony and a detailed presentation of the long-term goals of the CERV project took place. In the afternoon, the program continued with an intense and thought-provoking plenary session titled “Nurturing Cultural Diversity: The Foundations of a Shared Future,” followed by the interactive workshops “Overcoming Stereotypes” and “The Power of Art in Intercultural Dialogue.”

Echoing the project’s main mission, coordinator Ester Snedec inspired the international delegations by reminding them that culture is not a rigid wall, but rather a tool capable of building bonds: “Culture is the invisible fabric that binds us together,” Snedec emphasized. “It is the lens through which we view the world, helping to shape our values, our sense of hospitality, our perception of right and wrong, and our daily relationships. It is our unique footprint on humanity.”

The conference reached its moment of highest public participation on Friday, June 19, 2026. The morning was dedicated to a strategic workshop where partners focused on planning future joint initiatives and identifying the methods necessary to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project. After the lunch break, participants took part in a cultural visit to the specialized exhibitions of the Dolenjska Museum. Afterwards, activities shifted to the main square, where the spectacular Teden kultur (“Culture Week”) festival took place. The historic square welcomed approximately 500 international guests from across Europe, helping expand the project’s network through the participation of youth and representatives from Kosovo, Albania, North Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, and many other countries.

The event acquired particular cultural and scientific prestige thanks to the contribution of Dr. Marina Lukšič Hacin, who offered an in-depth theoretical and scientific perspective on the concept of culture. Subsequently, the Italian participants fully integrated into the International Market, taking part in the digital geocaching game titled “European Diversity Treasure Hunt.” The activity effectively demonstrated how public spaces can be revitalized and used to strengthen local identity.

The most significant moment of the official protocol took place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, during a special celebratory ceremony organized aboard the Rudolf wooden raft, sailing along the Krka River. Accompanied by a live acoustic concert dedicated to showcasing the region’s musical heritage, Italian Vice Mayor Rachele Chiani officially signed the Memorandum of Cooperation. The signing of the document represents a solid institutional commitment to future international collaborations and the joint implementation of new European projects, ensuring that the seeds planted over thirty years ago can continue to grow.

As Ester Snedec stated prior to the signing, placing their names on the document made it possible to consolidate a meaningful promise of solidarity, officially transforming the “networks of empathy” and professional bridges built over these intense weeks into a permanent platform for mutual growth and understanding within the diverse European family. This historic milestone represents a collective success for the entire international consortium, supported by the European Union through the CERV program.

The success of the project was made possible by the ongoing commitment and cross-border cooperation of all participating partners: Društvo za razvijanje prostovoljnega dela Novo mesto from Slovenia, serving as the lead coordinator; Centar za podršku lokalnog i regionalnog razvoja CEP from Montenegro; Dunav 1245 from Serbia; Lokalna akcijska grupa Prigorje-Zagorje from Croatia; Nyugat-Pannon Regional Development Nonprofit Ltd. from Hungary; Udruženje Slovenaca “Triglav” from Bosnia and Herzegovina; and the Municipality of Soriano nel Cimino for Italy. Together, these organizations not only achieved the intended structural objectives, but also laid the permanent foundations for greater unity, consolidating a shared European identity capable of inspiring and empowering future generations for years to come.

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