Past Events
July 12, 2016
Guarini Institute Presents: The 2016 U.S. Party Conventions and the Impact of Brexit
On Tuesday, July 7, the Guarini Institute organized a panel discussion on the 2016
U.S. Party Conventions and the Impact of Brexit. Panelists included Pamela Harris
of JCU, Hans Noel of Georgetown University, and Lucio Martino, Expert for Transatlantic
Relations at the Military Center for Strategic Studies in Rome.
June 20, 2016
The United Nations and Climate Issues
On June 20, 2016, the Guarini Institute organized a panel discussion on the United
Nations and climate change.
April 14, 2016
Is the American Century Over? A Presentation by Professor Joseph S. Nye
On Thursday, April 14, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs had the honor of hosting
Dr. Joseph Nye of the Harvard Kennedy School of Government to present his latest book,
Is the American Century Over?
April 11, 2016
Guarini Institute for Public Affairs and International Relations Society Present "After
Brussels"
On Wednesday, April 6, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs and the International
Relations Society welcomed Maurizio Caprara, Senior Columnist at Corriere della Sera,
alongside JCU professors Francesca Galli and Diane Maye, for a panel discussion on
terrorism in the wake of the recent attacks in Brussels
April 4, 2016
Europe at a Crossroads: European Security Challenges in the Post-Crimean Age
On Saturday, April 2, the Conflict Management and Defense and Security Clubs of the
Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies held a conference
titled Europe at a Crossroads: European Security Challenges in the Post-Crimean Age.
March 16, 2016
The Democratic Horizon: A Discussion with Alessandro Ferrara
On Monday, March 14, The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs, along with the JCU Think! Philosophy
Club and the Department of History and Humanities, hosted a panel discussion on Alessandro
Ferrara’s bookThe Democratic Horizon. Ferrara is Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Rome "Tor Vergata."
March 18, 2016
Resolution of Business Interests in the 21st Century
On March 7, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs invited Dr. Martin Svatos to
lecture on the “Resolution of Business Interests in the 21st Century,” alongside Institute
adviser John Fanti.
February 17, 2016
Immigration, Populist Parties and Schengen: Challenges to the EU
On Monday, February 15th, the Guarini Institute hosted a panel discussion focusing
on the European Parliament and the European Union in times of crisis. Participants
included Donatella M. Viola, the editor of The Routledge Handbook of European Elections,
Guido Lenzi, Lars Rensmann, and Estzer Salgó.
February 12, 2016
From Eastern Europe to West Hollywood: Imaging Jewish Life and Family
On Monday, February 8th, the Guarini Institute had the pleasure of hosting a lecture
by Professor F.K. Clementi that focused on the transformation of the perception of
Jewishness and Jews’ influence in American culture.
November 11, 2015
Guarini Institute for Public Affairs Hosts Screening of "The Troublemaker: Behind
the Scenes of the United Nations"
On Wednesday, November 4th, 2015, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs and the
Budapest Centre for the International Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities jointly
hosted a film screening of "The Troublemaker: Behind the Scenes of the United Nations".
October 27, 2015
Guarini Institute Welcomes Dr. James A. Kushlan for Discussion of Environmental Protection
in the United States
On Thursday, October 22, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs welcomed Honorary
Trustee Dr. James A. Kushlan for a lecture entitled "Environmental Protection in the
United States."
October 22, 2015
Jonas Carpignano's Film Mediterranea Screened at John Cabot University
On October 19th, 2015, the Department of Communications and the Guarini Institute
for Public Affairs co-hosted the screening of Mediterranea, a film that that narrates
the story of African immigrants crossing the Mediterranean in makeshift boats to reach
Italy and the difficulties they encounter once there.
October 7, 2015
The European Union and the Refugee Emergency
On October 7, the Guarini Institute of Public Affairs hosted its first panel discussion
of the semester: "The European Union and the Refugee Emergency". Guest speakers H.E.
Damir Grubiša, the Croatian Ambassador to Italy, and Dr. István Hegedűs, President
of the Hungarian Europe Society, were joined on the panel by Professors Pál Belényesi
and Andrea Pirro.
July 21, 2015
The Mediation of Muslim Identity in Europe Post Charlie Hebdo
On July 21st, the International Communication Institute and the Guarini Institute hosted
the third panel of ‘Media Geographies,’ ‘The Mediation of Muslim Identity in Europe
Post- Charlie Hebdo.’ The speakers were Ibrahim Al-Marashi (California State University,
San Marcos), Micheal Driessen (JCU), Pamela Harris (JCU), and Sabika Shah Povia (Journalist).
June 15 and 22, 2015
Challenges Confronting the European Union
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs organized two consecutive panel discussions
on pressing issues for the European Union. Catalonia's and Scotland's growing centrifugal
drive, problems with austerity packages in Greece, Russia's war in Ukraine and the
position of the Baltic States were be among the topics discussed, with qualified panelists
from each of the interested regions.
May 13, 2015
A Discussion of Adam Smith's Free Market Theory
On Tuesday April 21st, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted Professor Jack
Weinstein, from the University of North Dakota, to discuss his challenging reading
of Adam Smith's free market theory. Weinstein started his analysis by focusing on
Smith’s optimistic view of greed and his famous idea of the “invisible hand” in An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
April 7, 2015
Never Forget: JCU Hosts Commemoration of the 21st Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide
On April 7, John Cabot University hosted a meeting in commemoration of the 800,000
victims slaughtered in the space of one hundred days during the 1994 Rwandan genocide,
perpetrated against the Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The event was a collaboration between
JCU, the University of Rome "Roma Tre," the In Memory of the Rwandan GenocideBudapest
Centre for the International Prevention of Genocide and Mass Atrocities, the NGO "Progetto
Rwanda," La Repubblica newspaper, and an association of Rwandan survivors living in
Italy. In 2003, the UN declared April 7th as the "International Day of Reflection
on the Genocide in Rwanda."
March 30, 2015
US-Cuba , the Closest of Enemies: What Next?
On March 30th, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs had the pleasure of welcoming
PEN-Award winning journalist Ann Louise Bardach to speak at the Aula Magna Regina
at John Cabot University. Student government President Lynette Quezada, along with
editor-in-chief of JCU's student newspaper The Matthew, Lauren Cater, joined her as
moderators. Ms. Bardach has been called “the go-to journalist on all things Cuban
and Miami” by the Columbia Journalism Review and has written for almost every major
media publication, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Politico, The
Atlantic, The Financial Times and Vanity Fair, where she was a reporter for ten years.
March 25, 2015
Third Edition of Successful Textbook Presented at Polish Institute of Rome
On Wednesday March 25th, the Guarini Institute, along with several other cultural
and diplomatic bodies, organized a panel at the Istituto Polacco to discuss the recently
released third edition of “Central and East European Politics: From Communism to Democracy”,
an already classic textbook published by Rowman & Littlefield, edited by Sharon L.
Wolchik and Jane L. Curry.
March 19th, 2015
Tunisia and the Arab Spring
On Monday, March 16, two days before the terrorist attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunis,
three experts discussed the hopes and fears of the only successful episode thus far
of the Arab Spring. After ousting the despot Ben Ali, the North African country succeeded
in creating new democratic institutions. However, Tunisia has not been able yet to
tackle the issues of poverty and unemployment that could eventually destroy the hopes
created by the 2010-11 revolution.
December 19th, 2014
Women and the Middle East Conflict
On November 17, John Cabot welcomed an accomplished group of scholars and educators
to take part in a roundtable panel on "Women and the Middle East Conflict". The event,
sponsored by the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs and the U.S. Embassy to Italy,
drew in a large group of students, alumni, faculty and other visitors.
October 31st, 2014
Second Diplomacy BarCamp
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted the Second Edition of the Festival
of Diplomacy BarCamp. The event panel was composed of Federico Soda (Director of the
International Organization for Migration Coordination Office for the Mediterranean
in Rome), Isoke Aikpitanyi (founder of the Association of victims and former victim
of trafficking), Maria Grazia Giammarinaro (UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in
persons), Professor Enzo Maria Le Fevre Cervini (LUISS Guido Carli), as well as Carolina Zincone (Guarini Institute adviser).
October 20th, 2014
A Panel Discussion on Obama's Second Midterm
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted a conference regarding Obama's second
midterm. The event panel was composed of Guarini Institute Advisers Lucio Martino
and John Fanti, Prof. Lawrence Gray, as well as moderator Helen Viola. JCU President
Franco Pavoncello and Director of the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs, Professor
Federigo Argentieri also took part in the discussion.
October 2nd, 2014
“What Do We Know and What Should We Know About Democratization?” A Distinguished Guarini
Institute Lecture by Leonardo Morlino
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted a lecture by Leonardo Morlino, Professor
of Political Science at LUISS University in Rome. He was the President of the International
Political Science Association from 2009 to 2012 and has been a visiting professor
at Stanford University, Oxford University, and the Institute d' Études Politiques
in Paris.
September 23rd, 2014
Accomplished Italian Journalists Speak to Students at “Women: Opportunities, Challenges
and Achievements”
Oria Gargano and Helen Romana Viola, both veterans in the world of Italian journalism,
joined to speak at Casa Internazionale delle Donne on September 17th. Though Gargano
and Viola have had similar careers at Giornale RAI, Italy’s state media, they spoke
on dramatically different topics.
June 16th, 2014
Europe and Ukraine after the May 25th Election: the Causes of the Crisis and Future
Resolutions
The Aula Magna Regina hosted the conference “Europe and Ukraine after the May 25th
Election”. Starting with a brief presentation on the reason and the topic that has
dealt with in the conference, Professor Federigo Argentieri, director of the Guarini
Institute for Public Affairs, introduced the speakers and experts of the discussion:
Helen Viola, Giornale Radio Rai-Foreign Desk, Mykola Riabchuk, Co-Editor of “Krytyka”
Kyiv, Andrew Wilson of University College London, and Damir Grubiša, ambassador of
Croatia to Italy.
June 10th, 2014
An Examination of Art Theft and Looting by Professor Leila Amineddoleh
The Guarini Campus of John Cabot University hosted a lecture by Leila Amineddoleh,
Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law, and Of Counsel to Lombard
& Geliebter.
June 6th, 2014
On Ukrainian Situation: Future Project of Foreign Policy
John Cabot University hosted the meeting among Guarini Institute of Public Affairs
director Federigo Argentieri and some other Faculty members, and Mr. V. Filipchuk,
Second Class Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Envoy, Chairman of the Board of ICPS
(International Center for Policy Studies), Deputy Head of the Mission of Ukraine to
the EC; Chargé d'Affaires, Mr. Sergey Sukhankin, Associate Analyst of ICPS, Kyiv,
Ukraine and Ms. Alla Hurska, Associate Analyst of ICPS, all form Kyiv, Ukraine.
June 5th, 2014
Media and Revolts: Egypt, Syria and Ukraine
On June 5, 2014 ISPI (Istituto per gli studi di politica internazionale), as part
of a series of encounters focusing on the role and modes of intervention of social
media and communicative technologies on a variety of political processes, hosted a
round table entitled “Media e Rivolte: Egitto, Siria e Ucraina” which, as the title
suggests, concentrated on the role of the media –both traditional and digital—on the
political upheavals in Egypt, Syria and Ukraine.
May 5th, 2014
Jewish and Ukrainians Writers Compared
Sponsored by the Guarini Institute, Il Messaggio dell’Icona – a Roman bookstore specializing
in Eastern European cultural and religious topics - hosted Amelia M. Glaser, professor
of Slavic Studies at UC San Diego, to discuss her book Jews and Ukrainians in Russia’s
Literary Borderlands, published by Northwestern University Press.
April 6th, 2014
Rwanda Twenty Years On
On the 7th of April, 2014, Bene Rwanda Onlus, in collaboration with the Guarini Institute
for Public Affairs and the Budapest Centre for the International Prevention of Genocide
and Mass Atrocities organized and hosted a conference on the anniversary of the Rwandan
genocide, in order to keep the memory of the tragedy alive and educate new generations
on its outcomes.
March 10th, 2014
The Guarini Institute Welcomes Ambassador Tetiana Izhevska for a Lecture on "Women
of Power in New Democracies"
On March 10th, 2014 the Guarini Institute of Public Affairs hosted the event “Women
of Power in New Democracies” and welcomed Tetiana Izhevska, the Ukrainian Ambassador
to the Holy See. Ambassador Izhevska held a talk regarding her position, and how women
in the Ukraine are represented in government.
March 6th, 2014
The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, Italy and Europe
On March 6th, 2014, the Biblioteca di Storia Moderna e Contemporanea in Rome hosted
a presentation of the book Il Patto Ribbentrop-Molotov: L'Italia e l'Europa (1939-1940). The book originated from the contributions to the May-June 2012 conference hosted by the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs.
February 20th, 2014
The Tea Party, Obama, and Healthcare
On Thursday, February 20th the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted an event
regarding President Obama and his policies, specifically the health care reform, as
well as the up-and-coming Tea Party in the United States. This event featured a presentation
by Harvard University Professor Ms. Theda Skocpol who is known for her in-depth work
regarding these topics.
February 3rd, 2014
Ryan Anderson and Sharon Ketchum Talk to JCU About Ending World Hunger
On Monday, February 3rd, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted an event
regarding food assistance and agricultural management in Africa and Asia. The event
featured presentations by Mr. Ryan Anderson of the World Food Program (WFP) and Ms.
Sharon Ketchum of the United States mission to the United Nations (US/UN Rome).
November 12th, 2013
Sacco and Vanzetti: The Story of Nick and Bart
On Tuesday, November 12th, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted a Screening
of Sacco and Vanzetti, the famous movie directed by Giuliano Montaldo. Published in
1971, the movie is an occasion to remember their unfair conviction happened 50 years
earlier. Professor Argentieri (JCU) and Professor Cannato (University of Massachusetts
Boston) introduced the screening.
November 11th, 2013
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Fifty Years On
On Monday, November 11th, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted “John Fitzgerald
Kennedy 50 Years On” a lecture by Professor Vincent Cannato, University of Massachusetts
Boston. Professor Cannato offered a rather interesting perspective on the JFK experience,
dedicating particular attention to the way in which Kennedy is remembered from the
American public.
September 16th, September 23rd, and December 6th, 2013
Pizza and Politics: Three Luchtime Events
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs has co-sponsored three events this semester
with the Pizza and Politics Lunchtime Series, a collaborative effort between students
and professors to casually discuss topical political events over lunch. Professors
are asked to briefly introduce various student-professor agreed-upon topics and then
open the floor for discussion.
October 18th, 2013
Diplomacy Barcamp: A Call for Ideas to Achieve Food Security
On Friday, October 18th, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted an edition
of the Festival of Diplomacy in a dynamic Bar Camp format, focusing on the topic of
Food Security. Contestants submitted proposals addressing sustainability, production,
and distribution problems and solutions.
July 8th, 2013
The Politics of Exclusion in the Arab Gulf: Women, Stateless Persons and Migrants
On Monday, July 8th, the Guarini Institute had the pleasure to present The Politics
of Exclusion in the Arab Gulf: Women, Stateless Persons and Migrants, a lecture by
Farah Al-Nakib, visiting professor from the American University of Kuwait.
June 18th, 2013
The 2003 Iraq War and the Media: An Eyewitness Account
On June 18th, 2013, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs had the pleasure of welcoming
Professor Ibrahim Al-Marashi from the Department of History of the California State
University San Marcos, who held a lecture on the role of media in the shaping of popular
opinion regarding the 2003 War in Iraq.
June 17th, 2013
A Life in Red: The Story of Luciana Castellina
On June 17th, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted a screening of A Life in Red, directed by Andrea Segre and jointly written with the protagonist Luciana Castellina.
The film is a homage to the incredible life of Castellina, one of the most active
and independent minded figures in the Italian political life after World War II.
June 10th, 2013
Updates on Rome and Italy
On June 10th, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs presented a discussion of
the political, economic, and cultural future of Italy, and, more specifically, that
of the capital city.
June 3rd, 2013
Europe's Long Century: 1900 to Present. Society, Politics, and Culture
On June 3rd, 2013, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs, in cooperation with Biblioteca
di Storia Moderna e Contemporanea, had the honor of presenting Spencer Di Scala’s
book Europe’s Long Century: 1900 to present: Society, Politics, and Culture. A moderated
discussion brought together a panel of distinct speakers that voiced their opinions
on Spencer Di Scala’s work, proclaiming it an admirable academic achievement.
April 8th, 10th, 14-17th, 2013
Africa, Development, the UN: Six Events to Discuss the Present, Recent Past, and Future
of the Continent
A series of events hosted by the Guarini Institute.
April 3rd, 2013
ItaliaCamp
On April 3rd, 2013, The Guarini Institute had the pleasure of presenting ItaliaCamp.
ItaliaCamp is an association established in 2010 that facilitates the sharing and
implementation of ideas and projects. It allows for young people with innovative ideas
to be noticed and thus turn their ideas into reality.
March 18th, 2013
Haifa’s Answer: A Film on Coexistence
On March 18th, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted a screening of Haifa’s Answer, written and directed by Emanuela C. Del Re & Roberto Cipriani. The film reviews the
complex situation of the city of Haifa, Israel, a microcosm where Christians, Muslims,
and Jews live together in peace and unity.
February 8th, 2013
The Stakes for Italy: An Analysis of the Current Electoral Campaign
On February 8th, the Guarini Institute hosted a day-long workshop that outlined the
main challenges of the current Italian political scenario. The seminar included speakers
from John Cabot University, Università RomaTre, and Università di Bologna.
November 26th, 2012
Current Opportunities and Challenges for Mexico
On November 26th, 2012,“Current Challenges and Opportunities for Mexico” was hosted
by John Cabot University in conjunction with the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs
and the Mexican Embassy in Rome. Ambassador Miguel Ruiz-Cabañas Izquierdo addressed
a body of John Cabot University students, faculty, and staff as well as other interested
individuals from outside of the university.
October 30th, 2012
A New Mandate or a New Team?
On October 30th, Italian Senator Ignazio Marino of the Partito Democratico spoke to
John Cabot University students and professors about the U.S. presidential election
and how the decisions made by American voters impact the world.
October 18th, 2012
Roma International: Critical Issues and Advantages
In the Sala Pietro da Cortona at the Campidoglio, a small team of young scholars presented
their findings on Rome's international dimension. The research, sponsored by the Guarini
Institute of Public Affairs and monitored by advisors John Fanti, Guido Lenzi and
Lucio Martino, was part of the third edition of the Festival della Diplomazia.
October 15th, 2012
From Somalia 1992 to Syria 2012: 20 Years of Humanitarian Intervention
On the 15th of October 2012 the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs was honored to
host a discussion on the last 20 years of humanitarian intervention. The conference
took place in the Aula Magna. The event was well attended, with many professors from
John Cabot University, as well as many other scholars and practitioners interested
in Humanitarian Aid and related fields present.
September 24th, 2012
Boson Friend: A Discussion on the Discovery of “God’s Particle”
On Monday, May 24th 2012, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted a discussion
on the newly discovered Higg’s Boson entitled “Boson Friend: A Discussion on the Discovery
of ‘God’s Particle’”. Stefano Arnone, a practicing theoretical physicist and teacher
at John Cabot University, and Eugenio Del Re, a respected experimental physicist and
a professor at the University of Rome” La Sapienza”, led the discussion on the function
and importance of the Higg’s Boson.
June 6th, 2012
Christians in the Middle East
On June 6th, 2012, John Cabot University hosted a presentation and book-signing of
Antonio Picasso’s essay “Il Mondo Oriente Cristiano” (Cooper, 2010) on the beautiful
Secchia Terrace; the themes addressed in the book offered an excuse to discuss the
wider and current issues of the Arab Spring and the religious conflicts in the Middle
East.
May 31st and June 1st, 2012
Italy and the Molotov - Ribbentrop Pact, 1939-1941
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs was one of the eight promoting associations
which successfully co-organized a two days-long conference on the Molotov-Ribbentrop
pact and its consequences on the international community. More than twenty guest speakers
from different countries and with diverse cultural backgrounds spoke about the issue
and examined the famous German-Soviet deal from different point of views, offering
new perspectives and interesting interpretations.
May 29th, 2012
The Origins of Religious Liberty in the United States
JCU President Franco Pavoncello opened the lecture on “The Origins of Religious Liberty
in the United States” by recalling a conversation he had had about the issue of secularism
in the United States; he underlined how stimulating the discussion had been because
of the intricate nature of the issue and, since he had been personally amazed by the
topic, he welcomed Dr. Arkin, a specialist in the field, with a sincere pleasure.
May 28th, 2012
Rwanda 1994: Investigating, Assessing and Reckoning with International Responsibilities
On May 28th, 2012, JCU hosted a very special conference organized by the Guarini Institute
titled “Rwanda 1994: Investigating, Assessing and Reckoning with International Responsibilities”;
the event captured the attention of many people, students and professors as well as
external guests, insomuch that the Aula Magna was packed to capacity.
April 16th, 2012
Grill the Senator: Hon. Ignazio R. Marino
On April 16th, 2012, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs had the pleasure of
hosting Senator Ignazio R. Marino, member of Italy's Partito Democratico (PD) and
Chair of the Senate's Public Health System Committee.
April 14th, 2012
Rwanda, 18 Years Later
On Saturday, April 14th, the association Bene Rwanda organized a conference entitled "Shared Memory" to commemorate the eighteenth anniversary
of the Rwandan genocide.
March 26th, 2012
Which Way Ahead for the G.O.P.?
On Monday, March 26, the Guarini Institute hosted a panel discussion focusing upon
the Republican Party's presidential candidates and the direction of the party in the
near future.
February 20th, 2012
The New Hungarian Constitution
József Szájer, currently head of Hungary's FiDeSz European parliamentary group, came
for a Guarini Institute event on Monday, February 20, 2012 to discuss the new Hungarian
constitution adopted in April of 2011.
January 30th, 2012
Explorers of Excellence: Narratives from North Korea
On January 30, 2012, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs held an event titled
Explorers of Excellence: Narratives from North Korea, focusing upon North Korea's
controlling regime and the struggle of adjustment endured by the country's defectors.
Named after two JCU alumni, Eduardo Zachary Albrecht and Ryan P. Crowder, the event
featured a presentation by Professor Albrecht, which gave a summary of Korean history
as well as findings from his anthropological studies in Korea.
January 23rd, 2012
Power of the Powerless: A Homage to Václav Havel
In an event honoring the recently deceased dissident playwright and former Czech President,
Václav Havel, on Monday, January 3rd, JCU President Franco Pavoncello and Professor
Federigo Argentieri introduced the Czech Ambassador to Italy, Mr. Petr Buriánek to
the audience.
December 1st, 2011
1911-2011 Marshall McLuhan’s Century
On Thursday, December 1st, The Guarini Institute hosted a lecture by Derrick De Kerckhove,
who showed the audience the undying truth behind the principle that “the medium is
the message.”
November 28th, 2011
The Legacy of the Italian Resistance: A Discussion on Philip Cooke's Recent Study
On Monday, November 28th, the Guarini Institute screened a chapter from the History
of Italy by Istituto Luce, as a historical background of the Resistance.
After the screening, Professor Argentieri introduced the evening lecture and the speakers,
specialists on the Italian Resistance. Philip Cooke’s book, The Legacy of the Italian
Resistance, provides an interpretation of the movement in the decades following World
War II.
October 26th, 2011
The Holy See and Holodomor: Documents from the Vatican Archives on the Ukrainian Famine
of 1932-1933
On Wednesday, 26th October 2011, at Centro Russia Ecumenica in Borgo Pio, Rome, Professor
Federigo Argentieri, director of the Guarini Institute of Public Affairs (a co-sponsor
of the event), chaired the presentation of the newly-published book The Holy See and
the Holodomor: documents from the Vatican Secret Archives on the Great Famine of 1932-1933
in Soviet Ukraine. The audience included the Ambassador and First Counselor of the
Ukrainian Embassy to the Holy See, as well as representatives from the Australian
and Philippine Embassies to the Holy See, Italian scholars and various students.
October 12th, 2011
Festival of Diplomacy: 10 Years After the Twin Towers. The Present and Future of Freedom
and Security in the International System
On Wednesday October 12th, The Guarini Institute of Public Affairs took part in the
Festival of Diplomacy that took place in Rome and Florence between the 8th and the
14th of October. The two cities were specifically chosen considering the 150th anniversary
of Italian Unification, in a link that expresses the idea that “the Capital of the
Kingdom to the Capital of the Republic is a way to remember Italian history.”
October 4th, 2011
The Upcoming Crisis in The Middle East
On Tuesday, October 4th, JCU students, staff and the Board of Trustees gathered in
the Aula Magna for a lecture on the current situation in the Middle East from Professor
Barry Rubin.
September 5th, 2011
7/22 in Norway: What Can We Learn from the Events in Oslo and Utøya?
On Monday, September 5th President of John Cabot University, Franco Pavoncello, and
Professor Federigo Argentieri introduced the evening's speaker Jon Bingen to the audience
which included representatives from the Norwegian Embassy and the Norwegian Institute.
President Pavoncello expressed his sadness and called for a political and philosophical
reflection on this "absurd act" of terrorism in Oslo and Utøya.
July 11th, 2011
Daniele Fiorentino: Their Finest Hour – The US and the Roman Republic of 1849
As part of the events celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Italian unification,
the Guarini Institute invited prof. Daniele Fiorentino, a leading Italian scholar
of US history, to share the results of his current research about the connections
between the two countries in the period of the 1848-49 Roman Republic.
May 25th, 2011
About Greenpeace: Confessions of a Dropout
On May 25th, many faculty, staff, and students gathered at John Cabot University to
listen to Canadian scientist and author Patrick Moore. The event, "About Greenpeace:
Confessions of a Dropout," also included Antonio Polito, a columnist from Corriere della Sera, who interviewed Moore about his latest book, recently translated into Italian as
L'ambientalista ragionevole (The Reasonable Environmentalist).
April 13th, 2011
Justice, Politics, Privacy and the Dignity of Women: an Update on Italy
On Wednesday, April 13th the Aula Magna hosted the final Guarini Institute event of
an intense Spring semester. The conference started at 6.30pm, and Professor Argentieri
took the podium to introduce the topic and the guest speakers. He talked about Berlusconi's
style, particularly during international meetings, addressing the issue of how his
manners affect the reputation of Italians around the world.
April 4th, 2011
Women's Status in Afghanistan
On Monday, April 4th the John Cabot community had the honor to host Ambassador Maroofi
for his speech entitled "Women's Status in Afghanistan".
March 29th, 2011
The Religion of Liberty in Italy's Risorgimento
The Italian Risorgimento has been the theme at the core of the work of Maurizio Viroli.
Currently a Professor at Princeton University, Viroli has earned a doctorate at the
European University and works at the Italian University of Lugano as well. He has
written several books on political thought in Italy. On Tuesday, March 29th the John
Cabot community gathered in the Aula Magna to listen to Prof. Viroli's speech on "the
Religion of Liberty".
March 16th, 2011
Twittering the Revolution: Causes and Prospects of the North African Upheaval
On Wednesday, March 16th the Aula Magna Regina filled once again to listen to a panel
speak about the revolutions in North Africa and the impact of Twitter, Facebook, and
other social networking sites.
February 21st, 2011
The Politics of Multiculturalism
On Monday, February 21 the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs had the pleasure of
hosting its first guest speaker from Australia, John Rundell, an Associate Professor
of Philosophy at the University of Melbourne.
February 9th, 2011
Digital Media, Democracy, and the Press
On February 9th, 2011, the Aula Magna Regina was flooded with students, professors
and guests to listen to a panel on an issue that, since the advent of Wikileaks, has
earned the attention of the world.
November 8th, 2010
Looking Beyond the U.S. Elections
On Monday, November 8th the Guarini Institute hosted a round table discussion aimed
at analyzing the impacts of the recent midterm elections in the U.S.
October 24th, 2010
The Festival for Diplomacy: Teaching and Learning Diplomacy Round Table
Within the context of the Italian Festival for Diplomacy, the Guarini Institute had
the honor of hosting a round table discussion "Teaching and Learning Diplomacy" in
which eight prestigious panelists participated.
October 7th, 2010
Internationalization of Universities in the US
In collaboration with the US Mission to the UN, the Guarini Institute hosted Thomas
E. Sullivan, the Vice President and Provost of the University of Minnesota, who gave
an interesting lecture titled Internationalizing Universities in the US. President
Franco Pavoncello introduced the discussion by acknowledging globalization as prevalent
in the academic world, citing universities in the US that have become more focused
on international experiences.
September 29th, 2010
Obama at Midterm: A Round Table Discussion
On September 29, 2010, a large audience gathered in the Aula Magna at John Cabot University
to listen to a stimulating discussion on President Obama's impact and the projected
impact of the approaching midterm elections in the United States. Giuliano Ferrara,
Greg Burke, and Jamie Shea of the intended speakers were unable to attend and were
replaced by Patricia Thomas, Enrico Molinaro and Guido Lenzi, who contributed to an
interesting discussion.
June 21st, 2010
Dr. Esther Brimmer on Promoting Multilateralism
On Monday, June 21st 2010, the Guarini Institute had the honor of hosting Dr. Esther
Brimmer, Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, who outlined
the global challenges the world is facing and the how a coordinated effort of all
countries may help tackle them.
June 16th, 2010
Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, "President of Victory"
On Wednesday 16th June the Guarini Institute hosted a guest lecture featuring Prof.
Spencer M. Di Scala, a pre-eminent professor of University of Massachussets, Boston,
and scholar specialized in Italian history. His latest book, published in April 2010,
"Vittorio Orlando: Italy" seeks to deepen the knowledge of Vittorio Emanuele Orlando,
Italy's Prime Minister during World War I. Historiography concerning this character
has operated in a "default mode" and Vittorio Emanuele Orlando's figure is a mixture
of myth and history.
June 1st, 2010
Pushing Past the Night of Italian Terrorism: A Discussion With Author Mario Calabresi
On June 1st, 2010, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted a discussion with
the editor-in-chief of La Stampa and a victim of the 70's terrorism, Mario Calabresi,
author of the international best seller "Pushing Past the Night" (New York, The Other
Press, 2009). John Cabot University President Franco Pavoncello introduced the speaker,
adding his remembrances of the terrorist bombing at Piazza Fontana, Milan, in 1969.
April 12th and April 23rd, 2010
65th Anniversary of the End of WW2 Remembered
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs hosted two events commemorating the end of
World War II. The first was an April 12 screening of the Andrzej Wajda film, Katyn.The
following week, Professor Portelli of La Sapienza led a guided tour of the Museo Storico della Liberazione which is in the partially restored prison where Nazi Germany housed its political
prisoners during the occupation of Rome.
February 17th, 2010
"Italy's Divided Memory: Fratture d'Italia"
The Guarini Institute of Public Affairs was pleased to present a roundtable discussion
on John Foot's recent book published by Palgrave McMillan and Rizzoli. In his groundbreaking
study "Italy's Divided Memory: Fratture d'Italia" John Foot argues that contemporary
Italian history has been marked by a tendency towards divided memory.
February 10th, 2010
Il Corpo delle Donne
On February 10, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs screened, Il Corpo delle
Donne, a short documentary on the portrayal of women on Italian network television. After
the screening, members of the large audience participated in an extensive question
and answer session with the director of the film, Lorella Zanardo, and a panel of
professors and journalists.
November 11th, 2009
International Panel Discussion: 20 Years After the Fall of the Berlin Wall
A large crowd gathered in the Aula Magna Regina at John Cabot University on November
11, 2009 to listen to an in-depth discussion concerning the long-term effects of the
spectacular fall of the Berlin Wall 20 years ago. The panel included experts from
all around Europe and the US. After a welcoming speech by Franco Pavoncello, President
of John Cabot University and a further introduction to the topic by Professor Argentieri,
the conference began.
October 14th, 2009
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs Presents: The "War on Terror": Eight Years
Later
The panel assembled in the Aula Magna Regina on October 14, 2009 at John Cabot University
concerning "The War on Terror: 8 Years Later", which emphasized the importance of
understanding numerous perspectives concerning this complex topic.
October 6th, 2009
The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs Presents: "Fighting Impunity" with Professor
Mauro Politi
Professor Politi drew upon his great experience in the area of international law and
international organizations to deliver his lecture at John Cabot University on October
6, 2009 on the rise of international criminal law and the establishment of the International
Criminal Court.
June 16th, 2009
Guarini Roundtable Discussion: "Clash of Civilizations? The Challenges of Explaining
Italy to the US Public"
On June 16, the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs presented the roundtable discussion
entitled "Clash of Civilizations?The Challenges of Explaining Italy to the US Public."
Moderated by JCU Professor Peter Sarram, the Guarini Institute roundtable discussion
hosted by John Cabot University featured the remarkable participation of five journalists
whose work is characterized by the constant challenge of finding effective ways of
reporting on the complexities of the Italian political and cultural reality.
April 1st, 2009
Guarini Institute Panel and Film Screening: Miracle at St. Anna by Spike Lee (USA,
2008)
The third Spring 2009 event promoted and organized by the Guarini Institute featured
the screening and discussion of Spike Lee's famous last work: Miracle at St. Anna.
Set in Tuscany, Italy, during one of the most crucial moments of the history of the
country (summer 1944), the film has, right from its 2008 sortie, succeeded in attracting
enormous attention from international critics and observers.
March 13th, 2009
Guarini Institute Panel and Film Screening: "The Reporter and the Genocide: Gareth
Jones and the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-33"
The Guarini Institute conference hosted by John Cabot University and co-sponsored
by Fondazione Liberal focused on different aspects of the Ukrainian Famine of 1932-1933.
The morning section opened with a welcoming speech by JCU President Franco Pavoncello,
and by the Ukrainian Ambassador to Rome, Mr. Heorhii Chernyavskyi. Then the panel
discussion begun, with a speech by Dr. Karel C. Berkhoff entitled "Ukraine between
Stalin and Hitler."
Febrary 25th, 2009
Guarini Institute Lecture: "Italy Against Itself" by Alexander Stille
A journalist, writer and Professor of International Journalism at Columbia University,
Alexander Stille is one of the most well-known English-writing experts on Italian
politics and society. The son of Ugo Sille, the New York correspondent for the Italian
Corriere della Sera, Mr. Alexander Stille was born in New York City; he then pursued
his B.A. degree at Yale and an MS at Columbia. Besides working as a contributor to
many notable newspapers, including The New York Times, La Repubblica, the Boston Globe
and The Atlantic Monthly, Alexander Stille has been the author of a number of remarkable
books which focus on the anomalies of the Italian political panorama. These are: Benevolence
and Betrayal: Five Italian Jewish Families Under Fascism (1991); Excellent Cadavers:
The Mafia and the Death of the First Italian Republic (1995); and The Sack of Rome:
How a Beautiful European Country with a Fabled History and a Storied Culture Was Taken
Over by a Man Named Silvio Berlusconi (2006). Professor Stille was also the winner
of the Los Angeles Times Book Award for best work of history (1992), Premio Acqui
(1992), San Francisco Chronicle Critics Choice Award (1995), and the Alicia Patterson
Foundation award for journalism (1996).
October 1st, 2008
Guarini Institute Roundtable discussion: "One Month to Go - The US Presidential Election
and Europe"
After the brief opening of the panel discussion by President Pavoncello and by Professor
Terzuolo, the debate on US elections started with a power point introduction. The
presentation, prepared by Lucio Martino, stressed some important details about the
American elections.
September 26, 2008
Guarini Institute Lecture: "The Politics of Climate Change" by Lord Anthony Giddens
Opening the lecture with the graphic example of Munch's Scream, Lord Giddens introduced
a new way of expressing our modern frustration with nature. According to him, there
are generally three ways in which the contemporary individual perceives climate change.
First, there are the skeptics who have little scientific credibility, but enormous
political influence. A second point of view is provided by the mainstream scientists
who are gathered by the United Nations to produce reports and slowly reach a conclusion.Lord
Giddens pointed out that climate change cannot be isolated as a single problem. It
is tightly connected to other global issues like poverty, inequality, division between
the First and the Third World, etc. Finally, a third point of view is provided by
the so-called climate change radicals. In his lecture, Lord Giddens pointed out that
climate change cannot be isolated as a single problem. It is tightly connected to
other global issues like poverty, inequality, division between the First and the Third
World, and other very political issues.
April 23rd, 2008
Guarini Institute Panel Discussion: "After the Italian Legislatives and the Pennsylvania
Primaries"
This interesting debate kicked off with a power point presentation by Lucio Martino,
a specialist in politics regarding the United States, which displayed some astonishing
figures. Did you know that a grand total of almost 800 million dollars has been spent
campaigning! He stated that the world is tired of hearing about the American elections,
which have been discussed since 2000. Martino pointed out that history has shown that
the party that remains divided until the last minute is usually the one that loses
the White House, so he predicts John McCain will win. The floor was then passed on
to Professor Pamela Harris. Professor Harris said that she believes Hillary must now
woo the super delegates to win the general elections and if she loses Obama will have
to work hard to bring the votes Clinton would have had to his side instead of to the
Republicans.
March 31st, 2008
Guarini Institute presented: "Hitler's Journey to Italy - May 1938"
On March 31 in JCU's Aula Magna, the screening of a documentary directed by Piero
Melograni entitled Hitler's Visit to Italy-1938 took place. The event was hosted by
the Guarini Institute for Public Affairs and despite the difficulty of the topic,
the auditorium was full of JCU students, faculty, and many students from other universities
who were eager to see this movie.
November 9th, 2007
Guarini Institute presented: "The Ukranian Holodomor and the Denial of Genocides"
Friday, November 9, 2007 brought an exciting array of international figures to John
Cabot University's Aula Magna Regina as the political and security implications of
genocide denial were discussed in a conference organized in collaboration with the
Associazione Italiana Studi di Storia dell'Europa Centrale e Orientale (AISSECO).
October 4th, 2007
Guarini Institute Lecture: "The Diplomatic Challenges of Conflict Resolution" by His
Excellency Daithi O'Ceallaigh, Ambassador of Ireland to the U.N. (Geneva)
His Excellency Daithi O'Ceallaigh - recently appointed Ireland's Ambassador to the
United Nations at its European headquarters in Geneva - was closely involved in negotiations
leading to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998 and, more recently, the moves to see
devolved government restored at Stormont. He most recently served as the Irish Ambassador
to Britain.
September 27th, 2007
Guarini Institute Lecture: "Civil Religion in America" by Emilio Gentile, Professor
of Contemporary History, University of Rome "La Sapienza"
An internationally recognized historian of fascism and totalitarianism, Professor
Gentile is the author of several books.