The Municipality of Catanzaro took part in the signing of the “Pact of Castel Gandolfo for Peace”, signed on July 29, 2025 together with numerous cities of the Mediterranean, with the aim of promoting a policy based on the care, integral ecology and protagonism of the younger generations. A path started in the second edition of the Summer School weaves of dialogue, promoted by Oikos – Center for Full Ecology of the Mediterranean, held in Castel Gandolfo from 24 to 30 July.
Numerous local administrators – mayors, deputy mayors and councilors for urban planning – representing Italian and international cities, including Catanzaro, Palermo, Naples, Catania, Reggio Calabria, Bastia (France), Muğla and Istanbul (Turkey) are present. The subscription was also attended by the MEP Dario Nardella, among the promoters of the initiative. Paola Pierotti, PPAN journalist and executive director Ppan Academy moderated, moderated.
“At the basis of this pact there is the responsibility of the administrators to focus attention on young people, who represent a fundamental resource for our cities, for the South and for the country – said the deputy mayor and councilor for urban planning of the Municipality of Catanzaro, Giuseppina Iemma -. Developing reception policies and building common spaces means strengthening social relationships and contributing to a culture of responsibility. Taking care of the city means taking care of people, with a view to social justice, health, work, urban decoration and training. Only in this way can we build a true peace, based on an intergenerational pact ».
The “Pact of Castel Gandolfo” proposes a vision of the Mediterranean as a space of peace, justice and coexistence. The signed cities undertake to promote a network of relationships based on the treatment, actively involving the younger generations through educational, cultural and institutional paths. In the text we read: «It is no longer enough to administer: life must be taken to heart. The cities must become gardens of fraternity, built on participation, freedom and shared belonging “.
Among the commitments also signed by Catanzaro:
participation in the construction of a Hub of young people from the Mediterranean, to encourage contamination of ideas;
the identification of a local contact person to follow the activities of the network and promote shared practices;
adhesion to higher training courses for officials and technicians, inspired by integral ecology and co-design;
The organization, during 2026, of a territorial initiative promoted by Oikos and Ppan Academy;
the creation of an urban journalism laboratory with secondary schools and universities, to involve young people in the narration of urban policies;
The symbolic welcome of a research ship as a traveling hub for urban culture and full ecology.
“In a time marked by cultural, institutional and democratic crises – said the MEP Nardella – the Mediterranean, the cities and young people represent the keys for a new paradigm. Cities can overcome the limits of the states, young people are the first to defend the rights and freedom, and the Mediterranean is the place where to face the challenges of our time, promoting a fair, inclusive and sustainable development model ».
The Municipality of Catanzaro, with the signature of the Pact, renews its commitment to urban policies that put the dignity of the person, the protagonism of young people and the value of the community at the center. A concrete step to contribute, together with the other cities of the Mediterranean, to the construction of lasting and generative peace.