Ambassador Risi, General Sebastiano, President Capasso and other speakers at the conference standing in front of the Totem for Peace by Molinari , which has been permanently located at the Scuola Militare Nunziatella as a symbol of peace among peoples.

The President of the Fondazione Mediterraneo Michele Capasso took part in the inaugural session of the conference.

Mention should be made of the intervention by

Cosimo Risi – the Italian High representative at the UN Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, which analysed the sensitive question of Syria.

The Fondazione Mediterraneo was one of the partners at the 6^th World Urban Forum, collaborating in particular with the Women’s Assembly and the Youth Assembly.

A delegation from Quebec – led by the Representative of the Delegation for Italy and Mediterranean countries, Daniela Renosto – visited the Fondazione Mediterraneo - Maison de la Paix.
On that occasion, it agreed to erect the Totem for Peace in the City of Montreal and commit to cooperation in the Euro-Mediterranean area.

The World Urban Forum organized a “Women’s Round Table”, on the theme of actions for the economic development of women in cities. Within the frame work of this meeting, guidelines were developed on the basis of the Gender Equality Action Assembly (GEAA) in relation to the active policies to be adopted. The working sessions involved the participation of grass roots organizations, experts and academics on the subject who collaborate with the UN.

This type of event in Naples is an opportunity for our Region and country to contribute to the network of organizations that work towards empowerment of women through the promotion of exchanges and by giving voice to the need for employment and decision-making of women in the South.
The FONDAZIONE MEDITERRANEO was a major partner at this event and Caterina Arcidiacono introduced the work of the Round Table emphasizing that “gender inequalities and obstacles to the active presence of women are two still very widespread problems in urban areas. Prosperity in cities does not necessarily lead to a more equitable distribution of resources between men and women. Women contribute significantly to the economic wealth of cities, but tend to benefit less from the wealth they generate. To accelerate the achievement of Millennium Development Goals, increased gender equality, empowerment of women and youths is essential; the economic well-being of women and gender equality in a broad sense are closely connected to all development-related themes. Both ownership or control of productive activities (such as land and dwellings) have the advantages, among others, of accelerating development, contributing to overcoming poverty and reducing inequality”.

On that occasion, the Fondazione Mediterraneo organized and carried out other in

The President of the Fondazione Mediterraneo, Michele Capasso, and Pia Molinari welcomed the  Director General, Irina Bokova awarding her “2012 Mediterranean Award for Cultural Heritage” and the title of "Ambassador of the United States of the World" 'for her actions” as is stated in the reasons “promote the protection, valorization and promotion of cultural heritage, including as a vector for dialogue and peace throughout the world”.

Among those attending the ceremony were the Director General or ALESCO (the equivalent organization to UNESCO under the auspices of the Arab League) Mohamed-El Aziz Ben Achour.
Members of the Fondazione Mediterraneo, delegations from world of culture, science, politics, religion and military organizations from different countries, as well as mayors from the Amalfi Coast (which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage) who support and promote the Totem for Peace (by sculptor Mario Molinari spoke at the event).

Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, accompanied by her husband Kalin Mitrev, visited the “Maison des Alliances” where they were welcomed by Michele Capasso and Pia Molinari.
On that occasion, she expressed her appreciation for the “magical” places that has been host to Heads of State, Nobel Prize Winners and other high profile dignitaries, as well as its “enormous passion” for promoting dialogue and peace throughout the Mediterranean and the world.

During her visit, the Director General expressed her appreciation for the twenty-year commitment of the Fondazione, especially through its cooperation with UNESCO.

Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, accompanied by her husband Kalin Mitrev, visited the “CASA DEL MAGHREB ARABO” where they were welcomed by President  Michele Capasso, board members Pia Molinari and Vittorio di Pace, as well as the ALECSO Director General Mohamed-El Aziz Ben Achour.
On that occasion, she took the opportunity to express her appreciation for the Fondazione’s twenty-year commitment, especially through its cooperation with the Arab World.