In Orte, the Fifth International Event of the European project SECURE: European identity and Unity in Diversity at the center of the debate

From September 11 to 14, the city of Orte will become the pulsing heart of the European debate on the occasion of the Fifth International Event, the final meeting of the SECURE (Strengthening European Communities, Uniting Regions and Reinforcing Engagement) Network of Towns project, funded by the European Union through the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values program, and coordinated by the Association Lighthouse Languages APS on behalf of the Municipality of Orte and the Province of Viterbo. The initiative, titled “Unity in diversity: fostering European identity and belonging in the Age of Insecurities”, will reach its climax on the morning of Saturday, September 12 with the concluding conference hosted in the conference room of Palazzo Gentili, headquarters of the Province of Viterbo in via Saffi.

The closure of the project, coordinated by the Association Lighthouse Languages APS on behalf of the Municipality of Orte and the Province of Viterbo, takes place against the evocative backdrop of the Ottava Medievale celebrations. In this festive setting, delegates and representatives of partner communities from Italy, Poland, Cyprus, Malta, Portugal, Hungary, Latvia, Slovenia, the Netherlands, Serbia, and Greece will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the cultural, artistic, and culinary traditions of the city at the height of its glory.

The work of the Orte event will be entirely dedicated to exploring how to foster a sense of belonging to Europe and strengthen community identity in an era marked by growing global uncertainties. The theme of Unity in Diversity will be addressed not only as a theoretical principle, but as a strategic resource: the discussion aims to demonstrate that the variety of cultural roots and local experiences represents the key to building cohesive communities capable of responding unitedly to contemporary social, political, and economic challenges.

This final meeting represents the culmination of a long international journey that, over two years, has touched several European stages to analyze the many facets of the so-called “polycrisis.” The SECURE project’s journey opened in Slovenia, in Novo Mesto, with a focus on emergency management and the Union’s insecurities, before continuing in Serbia, in Irig, delving into the theme of trust in institutions and democratic participation. Subsequently, the Polish stage in Wieliszew centered on community resilience and inclusion, with particular attention to the role of women in processes of change, while the fourth appointment, held on the Greek island of Serifos, was dedicated to countering disinformation and the value of media literacy for an informed citizenship. The Orte event now gathers the legacy of these experiences, relaunching from a territory rich in history the message of a united, engaged, and future-oriented Europe.

For more information: www.secureprojectnot.wordpress.com