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THE TOTEM FOR PEACE SYMBOLISING PARLIAMENTS AROUND THE WORLD
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10 December 2024
One of the first works of the "Totem for Peace" by sculptor Mario Molinari was placed in the Parliament of Rabat, Morocco, in 2010, between the main entrance and the office of King Mohammed VI: it was strongly desired by the then President Abdelwahed Radi and inaugurated in the presence of the Presidents of the Parliaments of the Euro-Mediterranean countries.
Today, a delegation of the "United States of the World", led by Secretary-General Michele Capasso and Pia Molinari, in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Morocco Armando Barucco and the highest officials of the Assembly of Representatives, renewed the importance of the symbol, which will be further disseminated in parliaments around the world next year, when the delegations of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliaments and those of the Inter-Parliamentary Union will meet in Rabat.
"After that of the United Nations, the recognition of Parliaments around the world strengthens the action of our institution and its symbol: the Totem for Peace" - Capasso said at the end of the meeting.
‘We are honoured to have been among the first to host the Totem for Peace,’ said Parliamentary Secretary General Najib El Khadi, and our commitment is to strengthen the mission of the United States of the World by bringing the Totem for Peace, its symbol, to the Parliaments of various countries.
30TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FONDAZIONE MEDITERRANEO
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10 December 2024
A series of events - held in Naples, Fes and Rome - celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Fondazione Mediterraneo's establishment.
President Michele Capasso recalled the journey made in three decades, starting with aid to the populations of the former Yugoslavia and moving on to over ten thousand events held, including the major civil society forums that have left their mark on the history of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.
ICESCO AND FONDAZIONE MEDITERRANEO TOGETHER TO PROMOTE THE CULTURE OF PEACE
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09 December 2024
Dr. Salim M. AlMalik, Director General of the Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation of the Islamic World (ICESCO), received Prof. Michele Capasso, President of the Fondazione Mediterraneo and Secretary General of the United States of the World: together, they explored the prospects for cooperation between ICESCO and the Fondazione in promoting the culture of peace and for the rooting of the values of coexistence and dialogue between civilisations.
During the meeting, held on Monday, 9 December 2024, at ICESCO's headquarters in Rabat, Dr. AlMalik reaffirmed ICESCO's commitment to promoting openness and the development of cooperative relations with all, noting that the Foundation's objectives intersect with the Organisation's vision and strategic orientations, as both firmly believe in the importance of peace and the need to anchor its principles through education, culture and science.
He also said that ICESCO implements a number of peacebuilding initiatives and programmes, in particular ICESCO's Peace and Security Leadership Training Programme (LTIPS) and the Peace 360° initiative.
For his part, Prof. Capasso praised ICESCO's roles and efforts in its areas of expertise, reiterating his appreciation for Dr. AlMalik's leadership style that has boosted the work and achievements of the Organisation over the past five years. He said that Dr. AlMalik's efforts prompted the Foundation and the United States of the World to present him with the Mediterranean Award Medal of Honour for 2024, in a grand ceremony held at the Foundation's headquarters in Naples.
At the end of the meeting, the Organisation decided to examine a series of initiatives and programmes proposed by the Foundation to assess the prospects for co-organisation.
THE EVENTS OF "MARRAKECH CAPITAL OF CULTURE IN THE ISLAMIC WORLD 2024" CONCLUDED
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08 December 2024
The United States of the World and the Fondazione Mediterraneo sponsored the events of "Marrakech Capital of Culture in the Islamic World 2024", attending the closing ceremony held on 8 December 2024.
"The choice of Marrakech as the Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for 2024 provided an opportunity to highlight the Kingdom's culture, heritage and authenticity", said Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid - Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication - in the presence of the Director General of the Islamic World Organisation for Education, Science and Culture (ICESCO), Salem ben Mohamed AlMalik.
While thanking ICESCO for this choice, he emphasised that the programme of this celebration, which lasted the entire year 2024, saw the organisation of cultural, artistic and intellectual activities in coordination with Marrakech's cultural civil society, stressing that the success of this cultural year depended essentially on the involvement of local intellectuals and artists.
For his part, the Director of Arts at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, Hicham Abkari, gave a detailed overview of the activities carried out during the year of "Marrakech, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the year 2024": the artistic genres included in the programme included heritage, poetry, literature, Arabic calligraphy, plastic arts, music, song, theatre, cinema, digital art, circus, photography, traditional and popular arts and street food art.
Placed under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the events held for "Marrakech, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the Year 2024" provided an opportunity to showcase the historical and cultural richness of the ochre city, which is distinguished by its particular charm, reflected in particular in its Andalusian architecture and that of its mosques and Islamic palaces.
On this final day, the stamp "Marrakech, Capital of Culture in the Islamic World for the Year 2024" was presented, illustrating the majestic Menara Pavilion, surrounded by its swimming pool, palm trees and the Atlas Mountains in the background. The ochre hues and elegant motifs capture the essence of Marrakech, a living symbol of Morocco's history and fascinating architecture.
"This issue - said Secretary-General Michele Capasso - embodies Barid Al-Maghrib's commitment to promoting the Kingdom of Morocco's exceptional cultural heritage and celebrating the distinctions that honour its cities: it joins the philatelic collection dedicated to Marrakech, such as the one celebrating the Jemaa El Fna square (2017) and the stamp marking the 9 centuries of Marrakech's foundation (1960). It also continues Barid Al-Maghrib's tradition of paying tribute to Moroccan cities honoured by UNESCO, as was the case with Fez in 2007".
In conclusion, SG Capasso announced the establishment, starting in 2025 and in partnership with ICESCO, of a special section of the prestigious ‘Mediterranean Award’ dedicated to Islamic culture.
IN THE MEDINA OF FES
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08 December 2024
A visit by night and day to the Medina of Fez, an intangible heritage of humanity, is always an extraordinary experience that makes one realise the importance of social and human capital in historic and ancient city centres.
MEETINGS AT THE EUROMED UNIVERSITY OF FEZ ON THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILISATIONS: "REBUILDING TRUST FOR A UNITED AND PLURAL WORLD"
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07 December 2024
An event in the service of peace and intercultural dialogue in which the United States of the World and the Fondazione Mediterraneo collaborated.
Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Euromed University of Fes organised the Euromed University Meetings on the Alliance of Civilisations on 6 and 7 December. This event was marked by the inauguration of the ACC Chair of the Alliance of Civilisations, created in cooperation with UNAOC, the presentation of the Mediterranean Awards 2024, celebrating emblematic figures from around the world, and an ecumenical concert inspired by the traditions of three monotheistic religions.
Renowned personalities and international experts discussed global issues such as preventive diplomacy, migration and the impacts of artificial intelligence. These meetings reaffirmed the role of the UEMF as a key player in promoting the values of tolerance, coexistence and intercultural dialogue.
In the presence of the Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI and UEMF Board Member André Azoulay, the Euromed University of Fez hosted the prestigious ceremony of the "Mediterranean 2024 Awards" of the United States of the World, celebrating four iconic figures for their extraordinary contribution to peace, development and intercultural dialogue:
- Fouzi Lekjaa, Minister Delegate and President of the FRMF;
- Miguel Ángel Moratinos, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations;
- Mostapha Bousmina, President of the UEMF;
- Françoise Atlan, artist renowned for her artistic dialogue between cultures.
THE FONDAZIONE MEDITERRANEO PARTICIPATES IN THE HANDICRAFTS FESTIVAL IN THE MEDINA OF FES
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06 December 2024
The Fondazione Mediterraneo participated in and promoted the "Handicrafts Festival" organised in the Medina of Fez, a UNESCO heritage site.
President Michele Capasso and Pia Molinari, head of the "art, craftsmanship and creativity" area of the Fondazione supported especially the small artisans who preserve ancient memories that absolutely must be protected and handed down.
PREVIEW OF THE BOOK "UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD. A STORY TRULY OF GOD"
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06 December 2024
Prof. Abdelhak Azzouzi - President of the Council of Ambassadors - presented a preview of the book "United States of the World. A History Truly of God", written by Prof. Michele Capasso, in which the highlights of the United States of the World and the Fondazione Mediterraneo are recounted.
‘One thousand two hundred pages that will captivate you,’ Azzouzi said, “because they are our history, the history of men and women who, working together, enabled the development and birth of the United States of the World, alongside Michele Capasso”.
Many friends and protagonists of the book's pages were present: from André Azolulay, Advisor to King Mohammed VI, to Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative of the UNAOC (United Nations); from Mohamed Zinelabidine, former Minister of Culture of Tunisia, to Driss El Yazami, President of the CCME; from the Italian Ambassador in Rabat Armando Barucco to the President of the Euromed University of Fez Mostapha Bousmina.
FRANÇOISE ATLAN RECEIVES THE MEDITERRANEAN AWARD
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06 December 2024
During a ceremony held at the Euromed University of Fez, the "Mediterranean Award Art and Creativity 2024" was awarded to Françoise Atlan, singer and artist.
The Prize - the work "Totem for Peace’" by sculptor Mario Molinari, symbol of the United States of the World - was presented by Secretary General Prof. Michele Capasso, in the presence of Pia Molinari, ambassadors from various countries and members of the United States of the World.
Present in the hall were over two thousand students from the Euromed University of Fez.
MIGUEL ANGEL MORATINOS RECEIVES THE MEDITERRANEAN AWARD
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06 December 2024
During a ceremony held at the premises of the Euromed University of Fez, the "Mediterranean Institutions 2024 Award" was presented to Miguel Angel Moratinos, United Nations High Representative for the Alliance of Civilisations (UNAOC).
The Award - the work "Totem for Peace" by sculptor Mario Molinari, symbol of the United States of the World - was presented by Secretary General Prof. Michele Capasso, in the presence of Pia Molinari, ambassadors from various countries and members of the United States of the World.
Present in the hall were over two thousand students from the Euromed University of Fez.
Miguel Angel Moratinos sent a note of thanks to Prof. Michele Capasso.