Knowledge Alliance 2026
Third Conference of the International Network "Alliance of Knowledge" – Alliances for the Present Time: Cultures and Knowledge for Peace
MESSINA / REGGIO CALABRIA – As part of the third conference of the international network "Alliance of Knowledge," entitled "Alliances for the Present Time: Cultures and Knowledge for Peace" (scheduled for May 28-29, 2026), the Cities of the Strait will host two intense days of study and discussion focused on the role of culture, science, and institutions in building a model of peace.
Last year, the Università Mediterranea, the University of Messina, the Institut Catholique de Toulouse, and the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria formally established the international network Alliance of Knowledge, with which they conduct joint research. The announced conference is one of the opportunities for meeting and discussion and is organized annually at one of the Network's locations.
Below is the detailed schedule of work for Thursday, May 28th in Messina and Friday, May 29th in Reggio Calabria.
The conference will begin on Thursday, May 28, in Messina, at the Horcynus Orca Foundation. The morning will begin with the official opening of the conference and institutional greetings, followed by the first session, "Inscribing the Alliance in Institutions and Thought," coordinated by Andrea Bellantone of the Institut Catholique de Toulouse (ICT).
In this first session, Juan Serrano of the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (UFV) will present a reflection on "The Experience of Reality as the Origin of Reason: Notes for an Epistemological Model of the Alliance of Knowledge," followed by Laura Marchetti of the University of Mediterranean Studies of Reggio Calabria (UNIRC) with a presentation entitled "Weaving, Narration, Hosting: For an Epistemology of Interweaving." Annamaria Anselmo of the University of Messina (UNIME) will conclude the session with a discussion on "The Epistemological Tenth as a Path to the Alliance of Knowledge."
The second roundtable discussion will follow: "Alliance and Relation: Which Model for Peace?", moderated by Francesco De Nigris of the UFV. The panel will feature Angela Busacca (UNIRC), who will discuss "International Mediation as an Operational Model for the Alliance of Knowledge: Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding"; Marco Centorrino (UNIME), who will analyze the highly topical theme of "Conflict in the Age of AI"; and Elena Siclari (UNIRC), whose presentation will focus on "Charity: An 'Integrative-Inclusive Coexistential' Model Starting from the Reflections of Sergio Cotta."
The second afternoon scientific session will focus on "Epistemological Alliances," chaired by Marco Centorrino (UNIME). Alessandra Priore (UNIRC) will open the session with "A Theoretical Framework for Peace Studies: Transdisciplinary Approaches to the Complexity of Educational Contexts." Raul Buffo of ICT will then speak in English on "Knowledge between Limits and Alliances: Towards a Transdisciplinary Epistemological Model," while Blandine Richard, also of ICT, will participate remotely to present "The Alliance: A New Paradigm of Drug Policy," followed by a closing discussion.
The final part of the day in Messina, scheduled from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM after a short break, will consist of the roundtable "Practices of Alliance in Sciences," moderated by Marina Arena (UNIME). Wide-ranging presentations will follow: Fabiana Russo (UNIME) will speak on "Saving Gaia: The Path to Alliance Between Humanity and Earth"; Cristiana Ferrigno (UNIME) will discuss "Platforms as Knowledge Infrastructures in the Socio-Technical Era"; Franco Oliveri (UNIME) will present a paper on "Competition and Cooperation in a Network of Agents"; and finally, Alessandro Sergi (UNIME) will conclude with a presentation entitled "Wave Mechanics and the Alliance of Knowledge: A Physicist's View on Scientific Responsibility."
On Friday, May 29, the conference will move to the Università degli Studi Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria. The conference will begin with the third session of the conference, entitled "The Historical and Theoretical Foundations of a Thought of Alliance," chaired by Daniele Cananzi (UNIRC). The program includes a presentation by Rosella Faraone (UNIME) entitled "A Proposal: Rethinking the Human to Redesign Peace. Philosophical Signposts for New Alliances of Values," followed by a presentation in French by Jean-Michel Poirier (ICT) on "The Alliance, Between Political and Theological." Marco Dotti (UNIRC) will then lead the audience in "In the Workshop of Otherness: Allies, Enemies, and Foreigners in the Venetian Mainland." The final talk of this intense morning will be by Javier Rubio of the UFV, who will present a paper entitled "La universidad como lugar de la razón abierta: verdad, cultura y quaerere Deum en Benedicto XVI."
Following this, the space will be enriched with another round table dedicated to "Practices of Alliance between Arts and Politics," moderated by Giuseppe Gembillo (UNIME). This session will feature presentations by Anna Ballatore (USI-ICT) on the topic of "Alliance of knowledge beyond barbarism," by Emmanuel Hot (ICT-UNIRC) with a paper entitled "Epistemology and emancipation at Michel Foucault," and by Maria-Joel Conocchiella (UNIRC) with a paper entitled "In the footsteps of Hannah Arendt: an alliance of knowledge for the construction of common sense."
The busy afternoon agenda will continue with the fourth session, entitled "Art and Literature as Practices of Alliance" and chaired by Vincenza Caracciolo (UNIRC). The panel will offer a broad critical journey thanks to contributions from Antonio D'Elia (UNIRC) with "Dante and Knowledge: Practices of Alliance for Peace"; Marie-Christine Seguin (ICT) with "The Alliance of Knowledge for a Critical Investigation of Literary Production"; Maria Calabretto (ICT) with a reflection on "Cinema and Its Contemporaneity: Creating a Collective Experience Through an Alliance of Knowledge"; and Pascale Cazalès (ICT) with the paper "Creation of the Contemporary Art Space and Exhibitions at the Institut Catholique de Toulouse: A Unique History of Links."
The day will conclude with a roundtable discussion: "Educating for Alliance Today," moderated by Giuseppe Giordano (UNIME), which will feature presentations by Claire Lebrethon (ICT) on "Educating for Alliance Today: Pedagogical Innovation or Paradigm Shift?", Maria Laura Giacobello (UNIME) on "The Alliance of Knowledge for Planetary Solidarity. The Way of Edgar Morin," and Maria Lacalle Noriega (UFV), who will speak remotely on "Expanded Reason at Universidad Francisco de Vitoria."
The entire event represents a crucial moment of international academic cooperation, made possible by the synergy between the Università Mediterranea, the University of Messina, the Institut Catholique de Toulouse, and the Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid.