An intervention for peace in the Caucasus through popular diplomacy: this will be the central issue of the conference “For peace in the Caucasus: a popular diplomacy laboratory. The Rondine project” which will be held at the Faculty of Sociology of the University of Trento on the 11th November at 11.00 a.m.

At the heart of the meeting the presentation of Rondine’s project “Ventidipacesucaucaso” (Winds of peace on Caucasus) with a particular focus on its second phase, the ‘Friendship trip’ to the Southern Caucasus and Turkey. A trip carried out last July by a delegation of the Association Rondine Cittadella della Pace together with some students from its International Student Hall, journalists, professors and Italian authorities, aiming at the promotion of the “Document in 14 points for peace in the Caucasus” which was delivered to religious, civil, political and academic institutions.

The document was conceived from an idea of the young students of Rondine following the Russian-Georgian conflict in August 2008. The students, supported during its development by the members of the Association, presented the document during the first international “Conference of the Peoples of the Caucasus” held at La Verna, Italy, in May 2009, bringing together personalities from associations, the economic, academic and religious fields, journalists and activists for human rights, all of them subscribing and supporting the “Document in 14 points”.

The 14 points were delivered to the highest Italian and foreign authorities, to top diplomats, to the Pope and to exponents of the European Parliament up until July, when it landed in the Caucasus.

This project presentation will be an occasion to present extensively Rondine’s work with its students that come from conflict zones or countries coming out of wars (Western Balkans, Middle East, Africa, Southern Caucasus, Russian Federation and India): the International Hall of Residence is in fact an interreligious and intercultural dialogue laboratory which trains its young students through a daily experience of studying and sharing, involved in common projects, conferences, seminars and cultural events of high interest.

During the conference the president of the association Rondine Cittadella della Pace, Franco Vaccari, the ambassador Giuseppe Cassini, who already participated to the “Friendship trip”, professor Aldo Ferrari (Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and coordinator of the research program on Caucasus and Central Asia of the ‘Ispi’ Institute for International Political Studies), who took part in the first international “Conference of the Peoples of the Caucasus” and some students of the International Hall of Residence of Rondine will illustrate the fundamental points of the project “Ventidipacesucaucaso”. In addition, Luisa Chiodi and Giorgio Comai, respectively scientific director and researcher from the OBC (Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso), will analyze the current situation in the Caucasian area and will explain the reason for reciprocal collaborations.

The meeting will be opened by the Councillor for International Solidarity and Coexistence, Lia Giovanazzi Beltrami, and the Councillor for Tourism, Tiziano Mellarini, both from the Autonomous Province of Trento and the Provost of the Faculty of Sociology of the University of Trento, Bruno Dallago.

“For peace in the Caucasus: a popular diplomacy laboratory. The Rondine project” is realized by Rondine’s Social Cooperative in collaboration with Trentino Spa, Osservatorio Balcani e Caucaso (OBC) and the University of Trento.