THE MUSEUM REMEMBERS RAFFAELE CAPASSO ON THE THIRTY-THIRD ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH

On the occasion of the 31st anniversary of his death, the MAMT - Museum of Peace remembers Raffaele Capasso, Mayor of San Sebastiano al Vesuvio for 35 years and an example of a politician dedicated to the "Common Good".
Appreciation for Mayor Capasso's work was expressed by the many visitors who stressed the importance of "Politics" with a capital "P".
For this occasion, a special edition of the book "IL VIAGGIO DEL SIGNOR NIENTE" dedicated to Raffaele Capasso was distributed: among the recipients were young people from primary schools throughout Italy.

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THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD AT THE MEDITERRANEAN MEETINGS WITH POPE FRANCIS

The United States of the World and the Fondazione Mediterraneo took part in the "Mediterranean Meetings" organised in Marseille from 17 to 24 September 2023, at the initiative of the Italian Bishops' Conference: a process of confrontation between the dioceses of the countries bordering the Mediterranean began in 2020 in Bari. This process is in the spirit of Pope Francis' 'Mediterranean' journeys, from Lampedusa (2013) to Marseille (2023), passing through Tirana, Sarajevo, Lesbos, Cairo, Jerusalem, Cyprus, Naples, Rabat, Malta, etc.
After 490 years since the visit of Clement VII, a Pope visits the city of Marseilles.

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MARSEILLE STILL AT THE CENTRE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN

Since 6 July 2000, almost a quarter of a century has passed since the Fondazione Mediterraneo and the United States of the World presented their programmes, projects and concrete initiatives in Marseille on the issues of migration, integration, ecological conversion and respect for creation.
Jean Claude Gaudin, Vice-President of the Senate and historic mayor of Marseille from 1995 to 2020, supported our action by organising a solemn "Rentrée" with les "Assises de la Méditerranée": more than 1,500 representatives from various countries who for 4 days discussed the Foundation's programmes and projects.
Present at the "Mediterranean Meetings" organised by the Mediterranean bishops from 17 to 24 September 2023 - with the participation of Pope Francis - President Michele Capasso said: "I thought of those days in July 2000 when we returned from Marseilles full of enthusiasm and hope. And then the visits of Mayor Gaudin to Naples and Benevento, the award to "Marseille Esperance" presented in Naples, the inauguration of the 'Marseille Room' at the headquarters of the United States of the World.
So many protagonists reappearing: here is Pope Francis at the centre of the same stage where with Shimon Peres and other Heads of State we gathered the first adhesions to the United States of the World, here are Bishops and Cardinals of the Mediterranean countries at centre stage, as were then academics, university rectors, mayors of the main cities adhering to the United States of the World.
Here is the then Mayor Gaudin, tired and disappointed, next to the Pope as if to remind him never to leave the Mediterranean.
And then the room where the Pope meets President Macron: the same room where with Shimon Peres we signed the first draft of the Constitution of the United States of the World.
And then the driveway to the Pharo Palace, where in the same place where the President accompanies the Pope in his wheelchair we laid the foundations for a true interreligious dialogue with his brother and friend Father Paolo dall'Oglio a few weeks before his death.
So many memories entrusted to so many images - President Capasso concludes - with a sadness and a hope. The sadness is not having succeeded, despite constant efforts, in making the Mediterranean a sea of exchanges and knowledge, but a tomb of dignity, as Pope Francis said. The hope lies in this variegated mosaic of cultures and faiths that can, if properly coordinated, be the founding element of a new model of solidarity based on welcome and coexistence".

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THE MUSIC ARCHIVE OF THE MUSEUM OF PEACE MAMT EXPANDED

The Music Archive of the Museum of Peace - MAMT is proud to possess, among other things, the entire manuscript musical works of composer Adelmo Bartolucci (1853-1938) following a kind donation by the Amirante family. The musician's unique and original scores, sheet music and instrumental parts are part of the archive, which also houses an extensive record collection of classical and opera music - including valuable vintage records and librettos. There is also an extensive musicological library and music editions.
An integral part of the Museum is the historical piano of Playel construction that belonged to Pietro Mascagni, the celebrated composer of Cavalleria rusticana, the work that most embodies the verist musical spirit.
The Museum of Peace - MAMT  Music Archive is directed by Prof. Andrea Zepponi.

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THE CONDOLENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD FOR THE VICTIMS IN MOROCCO

The United States of the World - with its autonomous sections "Fondazione Mediterraneo" and "Accademia del Mediterraneo" - expressed its deep condolences to King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan members of the institution for the thousands of victims caused by the strong earthquake in the Marrakech region.
The Marrakech office of the United States of the World - directed by Prof. Lhassan Hbid in collaboration with Prof. Mohamed Knidiri - under the coordination of Secretary-General Prof. Michele Capasso, is activating the best synergies to "rope in" and provide concrete aid to the earthquake victims.
It is precisely Secretary General Capasso who expressed his deep emotion for a people to whom he is strongly attached and for a city, Marrakech, that he considers his "second homeland".

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THE UNITED STATES ON THE FRONT LINE FOR AID TO MOROCCO

After the strong earthquake that caused so many victims, the Marrakech btanch office of the United States of the World and the Fondazione Mediterraneo - directed by Prof. Lhassan Hbid in collaboration with Prof. Mohamed Knidiri - with the coordination of Secretary-General Prof. Michele Capasso, is activating the best synergies to "rope in" and provide concrete aid to the populations affected by the earthquake.
Already in the evening of 9 September 2023, a team from the ROE, 'Raggruppamento Operativo Emergenze' - a founding member of the UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD - arrived in Marrakech with President Giovan Battista Marchegiani and other operators with considerable experience in Maxi Emergencies, in particular first emergency interventions for areas hit by seismic events and the creation of reception facilities for people left homeless.
They will bring decades of experience developed in the many emergencies they have managed and coordinated (L'Aquila, Amatrice, Prezmyls, Ukraine, Poland, etc.).
Thanks to Dr. Mana Al Otaiba -  Ambassador to the United States of the World - the team members were hosted at the Royal Mirage Hotel in Marrakech.
TG2 RAI journalist Silvia Squizzato took part in the mission.
The team made an initial assessment of the real situation in order to subsequently structure projects with the local authorities to assist the population.
The most affected localities on the slopes of Morocco's main mountain range were reached: in particular the locality of Moulai Brahim where, as in all the villages encountered, people are deprived of any kind of assistance. The displaced people have settled themselves in makeshift shelters made of bamboo canes, tarpaulins and blankets. Thousands of people, the elderly and very young children sleep outside both day and night with the consequences of the drop in temperature.
In these hours we are helping to set up shelters for the homeless, assisting them with basic necessities, medicines and food parcels. Tents and sleeping bags and blankets are urgently needed. The mission will also start scouting and monitoring activities for sending goods and materials to Morocco, which will be collected in Italy with the support and coordination of the Secretary General of the United States of the World Prof. Michele Capasso.

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THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD AND THE FONDAZIONE MEDITERRANEO PAY TRIBUTE TO DOMENICO DE MASI

President Michele Capasso, Chairman of the International Committee Massimo Pica Ciamarra, Director General Pia Molinari, members of the Board of Directors, the Scientific Committee and the Council of Ambassadors pay tribute and express deep condolences for the passing of Prof. Domenico De Masi, a member of the Foundation and 2018 recipient of the "SUM Mediterranean Award for Innovation and Quality of Life".

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THE FONDAZIONE MEDITERRANEO AT THE FUNERAL OF GIOVANBATTISTA CUTOLO

A delegation from the Fondazione Mediterraneo led by President Michele Capasso took part in the funeral of Giovanbattista Cutolo, the 24-year-old musician killed in Piazza del Gesù on 31 August by a 17-year-old from the Quartieri Spagnoli who shot him dead with three gunshots for trivial reasons connected with parking his moped.
City mourning in Naples for the last farewell to Giovanbattista: at 2pm the funeral chamber, then the start of the service by the Archbishop of Naples, Don Mimmo Battaglia, said:
"We all huddle around Daniela, Franco and Lulu. We are here not to pray for Giò Giò, but to pray with him because he lives'.
Full Piazza del Gesù for the musician's last farewell, the crowd welcomed the coffin as it left the Gesù Nuovo Church amidst applause and tears, as a sign of condolences and closeness with the family, while the Scarlatti musicians sang the Ode to Joy to the rhythm of the funeral march.
Many Neapolitan singers and musicians joined the appeal of Giò Giò's mother, Daniela Di Maggio.
After his father, the mother of the 17-year-old from the Spanish quarters who killed Giovanbattista Cutolo, 24, a musician, also asked the family for forgiveness.
"Naples must rid itself of this havoc," said Michele Capasso, "and for this it is necessary to 'rope in' civil society and institutions, involving young people in particular in a difficult but not impossible task of redeeming the city, as has happened so many times in the past.
"It was and is an enormous pain because it is an absurd death, for no reason, and this affects everyone in the depths of their hearts, but it must also be an opportunity to have more and more civic participation in the city. This terrible death is only the latest, we must remember Francesco Pio, who died only a few months ago and in similar circumstances, and the many other innocent victims of violence and the Camorra, but if we manage to react, if we give a positive perspective to our city then it will mean that these deaths were not in vain'.
At the end of her son's funeral, Daniela Di Maggio, Giovanbattista's mother, announced that she would be at Palazzo Chigi tomorrow, received by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni:
"Tomorrow I will go to Premier Meloni especially for this, because she is very close to me, the institutions have all come. Giovanbattista's innocent death must serve the redemption of humanity, it was a crime against humanity to kill my son".

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THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD AND THE FONDAZIONE MEDITERRANEO PARTICIPATE IN THE 729TH "PERDONANZA CELESTINIANA"

A delegation from the United States of the World and the Fondazione Mediterraneo took part in the 729th "Perdonanza Celestiniana" culminating with the opening of the Holy Door.
Secretary-General Michele Capasso emphasised the importance of rites and symbols in building true dialogue and lasting peace.
On this occasion, it was proposed to associate the Pardon with the United States of the World, and the request will be submitted to the next Council of Ambassadors.

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THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD AND THE FONDAZIONE MEDITERRANEO AT THE 15TH BRICS SUMMIT

A delegation from the United States of the World and the Fondazione Mediterraneo participated as "observers" at the 15th BRICS Summit that brings together the member countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa for three days in South Africa. Among the priorities was aligning economic interests within a common agenda.
In the final declaration, at point 91, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are invited to join the international organisation: these countries have joined and from 1 January 2024 will be full members of the BRICS.
Secretary-General Prof. Michele Capasso, while appreciating the value and intentions of the BRICS organisation, warned of the risks of fragmentation and conflict with other international organisations, primarily the United Nations.
Hence the importance of the Constitution of the United States of the World, which with the motto EARTH AND PEACE can bring together the various instances with the sole objective of saving the planet and ensuring peace through solidarity and the equitable distribution of available common goods and resources.

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