Made in Calabria: at the Università Mediterranea, business excellence embraces ethics, legality, and resilience.

A moment of profound reflection on the value of the region and the enormous potential of local businesses in the global market. In this spirit, on April 16, 2026, the Quaroni Aula Magna of the Università Mediterranea di ​​Reggio Calabria hosted the institutional event "Made in Calabria: Excellence between Ethics and Resilience." The initiative, organized to mark National Made in Italy Day, brought together institutions, the business community, and a large student body, placing the need to compete head-on while upholding the principles of legality at the center of the debate.

The Rector, Giuseppe Zimbalatti , opened the proceedings , emphasizing the educational role of the University of Reggio Calabria. "We are very pleased to relaunch the Made in Italy brand from this University, which is the cornerstone of the world's largest companies," he said. "This is an important day with a powerful educational message that we are addressing especially to our young people—many of whom are present here—to engage them not only in the themes of manufacturing excellence and professional talent, but also and above all in the combination of ethical values ​​and resilience, which are especially valuable in this region, more than in others. Resilience allows these entrepreneurs to uphold the banner of morality and legality in regions where challenges are acute and the effort must be to address them within a network."

A call for collaboration shared by Engineer Giuseppe Antonio Sofia, Director of the Casa del Made in Italy in Reggio Calabria, was echoed by Dr. Ferdinando Polito for Confindustria and Dr. Valentina Mallamaci for the Young Entrepreneurs of Unindustria, who sent a positive message to the younger generations: yes, gain work experience outside the region, but also consider the possibility of returning to enrich their homeland with the skills they have acquired.

The event coordinator, Professor Massimo Lauria, Deputy Pro-Rector for Research and Technology Transfer, noted that this is the third year the University has celebrated the anniversary and stated, "We believe this is a very important moment within the overall vision we cultivate as a University." Recalling the day's core values, Lauria linked the reflections to the concept of "remanence," coined by anthropologist Vito Teti, explaining: "It's not a nostalgic idea of ​​staying, but rather a responsibility each of us must assume in everything we do. For those charged with educating the younger generations, such as universities and academies, this responsibility is twofold."

Professor Michele Mantovani's presentation of an experience on the topic conducted with her students preceded the powerful testimonies of two entrepreneurs who have become symbols of courage. Antonino De Masi, head of De Masi Industrie Meccaniche Srl in Gioia Tauro, has been under police protection for years for exposing extortion by the 'Ndrangheta. He explained to the audience that doing business in Calabria is first and foremost "an act of civility," calling for a "revolutionary normality." Without freedom, there is no development, De Masi warned: a company that compromises with racketeering is doomed to die or become a slave. The entrepreneur also urged young people to demand a state that consistently supports industrial development, and he called upon universities to fulfill their duty to foster a culture of clean business.

Chef Filippo Cogliandro, founder of the restaurant L'A Gourmet L'Accademia and "Ambassador of Italian Cuisine," echoed this sentiment. A key figure in the national anti-racketeering movement, Cogliandro emphasized that gastronomic excellence, to be considered such, must necessarily be "clean." Cuisine, in his vision, goes beyond the pursuit of flavor: it becomes a vehicle for conveying respect and social redemption, demonstrating that the treasures of Calabria can conquer international markets without ever succumbing to the compromises of illegality.

In the second part of the event, a round table explored the different facets of Made in Calabria.

Development and Security: The Prefect of Reggio Calabria, Clara Vaccaro, addressing the students directly, reiterated that security and legality are the only foundations on which to build the economy. She then urged young people, the true builders of the future, to love and protect the region through courageous decisions.

The Role of the Judiciary: Giuseppe Campagna illustrated the vital importance of the Judiciary in ensuring a healthy market and free competition, so that the "good" supply chain can prosper free from criminal influence.

The Blue Economy: Rear Admiral Giuseppe Sciarrone, Maritime Director of Calabria and Tyrrhenian Basilicata, shifted the focus to maritime resources. He highlighted the centrality of the port of Gioia Tauro for international trade and dedicated a moving passage to the protection of the historic feluccas that ply the waters of the Strait.

The closing remarks were delivered by Prof. Arena, Director of the UniRC Doctoral School, and Prof. Massimo Finocchiaro Castro, Director of the UniRC DIGIES Department, who summarized a day that projects Made in Calabria towards a future of informed and transparent development.