CULTURE OF PEACE: THE ITALIAN YOUTH FORUM 2026 IN GENOA
From 27 to 28 March 2026, Genoa will host the eighth edition of the AIGU Forum, the annual event of the Italian Youth Association for UNESCO. The Forum will bring together young people from all over Italy, along with institutions and guests of national standing, for an experience of training, discussion and networking on UNESCO’s priority themes.
The theme chosen for the 2026 edition is “Culture of Peace”, in line with the 2023 UNESCO Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development and with the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
In an international context marked by instability and conflict, the event aims to bring back to the centre the role of education, culture and youth participation as fundamental tools for preventing tensions and building more inclusive, aware and supportive communities.
Genoa represents a symbolically significant setting in which to reflect on the Culture of Peace. Its historic centre, one of the largest in Europe, is home to the System of the Strade Nuove and the Palazzi dei Rolli, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2006: the Italian Youth Forum 2026 thus becomes part of the official calendar of events linked to the 20th anniversary of this important milestone. The city, awarded the “Gold Medal for the Resistance” and marked by the wounds of the Second World War, today presents itself as a laboratory of inclusion and dialogue, a bridge between historical memory and contemporary responsibility.
PROGRAMME
FRIDAY 27 | 3 – by invitation only
- 18:00 – 19:00 Opening of the Italian Youth Forum
SATURDAY 28 | 3
- 10:00 – 13:00 Workshops – open until all seats are filled
- 17:00 – 19:00 Plenary event – open until all seats are filled
The plenary event will be held at the Sala Quadrivium, in Piazza Santa Marta, with a line-up of institutions and exceptional speakers and video contributions around the theme of the Culture of Peace, in addition to the presentation of the outcomes of the morning workshops by AIGU members.
Discover times, locations and speakers in the detailed programme.
Temi
The Recommendation on Education for Peace, Human Rights and Sustainable Development is the main global normative instrument guiding education towards the construction of a culture of peace. Adopted in November 2023, it updates the previous 1974 text to respond to the technological, environmental and social challenges of the contemporary world.rnThe Recommendation defines peace as a participatory and positive process, whose main contents revolve around:rn- 21st-century skills: digital literacy and artificial intelligence as critical tools for preventing disinformation and hate speech.rn- Planetary Sustainability: there can be no peace without climate justice and respect for ecosystems.rn- Inclusion and Equality: gender equality and respect for cultural diversity as the foundations of social cohesion.rn- Mental Health and Well-being: the importance of social-emotional learning for managing conflicts in a non-violent way.rnrnThe ultimate aim of the Recommendation is to build defences of peace in the minds of men and women, on the premise that knowledge and empathy are the most effective weapons against violence.
Documenti
IYF2026_PROGRAMMEWORKSHOPS
SUPPORT US
The Italian Youth Forum is entirely organised through the work of AIGU volunteers, who give their time and energy free of charge in the service of AIGU’s mission, and is made possible thanks to the support of partners who believe in our initiatives and share our values.
Like all our events, the Italian Youth Forum is free and accessible.
To support the Italian Youth Forum and all of AIGU’s initiatives, you can become a supporter, helping us to carry on our events for young people and sustainable development policies.
HOW TO TAKE PART
The Italian Youth Forum is free and open to everyone, as is the policy at all AIGU events. However, the venues hosting the various activities have limited capacity. Due to the capacity of the room, the Peace and Environment workshop will not be able to welcome external guests. All the other Saturday activities open to the public will be able to host external attendees until the rooms are full.
AIGU TEAM
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Gianluca Buoncore (President), Alessandro Luciani (Secretary General), Silvio Rossini (Treasurer), Eleonora Vita (Vice President), Eleonora Orfanò (Vice President)
NATIONAL COORDINATION
Pietro Bova (National Coordination), Matteo Lenuzza (National Coordination), Lucilla Crespi (Communication Coordination), Caterina Fabri (Web&Press Coordination), Sebastiano Marconcini (Graphics support), Davide Davini (Fundraising Coordination), Ludowika Tripodi (EDU Coordination), Giacomo Pieretti (GEA)
LIGURIA TEAM
Paolo Palermo (Regional Representative), Matteo Decia, Federico Giorgilli, Martina Casaretto, Matteo Bertassi, Agnese Gotelli, Maddalena Martino, Leonardo Fasciana, Caterina Picco
PATRONAGES AND PARTNERS
Under the patronage of
Commissione Nazionale Italiana per l’UNESCO, Ministero della Cultura, UNICEF Italia, Consiglio Nazionale dei Giovani, Comune di Genova, Università di Genova, Rai Liguria
With the support and collaboration of
Camera di Commercio – Genova, Fondazione Friends of Genoa, Coop Liguria, La Tabacca
In collaboration with
World Water Assessment Programme (UNESCO), Comitato Regionale UNICEF – Liguria, Casa del Mutilato – Genova, Fondazione A.N.M.I.G., Casa Luzzati, Lele Luzzati Foundation, Associazione Culturale Giano, Cittadini Sostenibili APS, USR – Ufficio Scolastico Regionale – Liguria