Voices from abroad: Chiara’s experience in Tanzania
Below is a testimonial from Tanzania from one of our collaborators
Hello, I am Chiara, and I would like to give an overview of my volunteering experience in Tanzania! :)) For the past two months, I have been volunteering on the island of Unguja, part of the Zanzibar archipelago through the European Solidarity Corps Humanitarian Aid program. The project is called the Aid with Heart for Humanity (AHH) program, a humanitarian initiative designed to make a significant impact on disadvantaged communities.
I was based in Kizimkazi, a small fishing village on the southwestern coast of Unguja, and I was working at Assalam Community Foundation, an organization which promotes “PEACE”, an acronym for Permaculture, Education, Art & Culture, Community, and Empowerment. Overall, the organization implements programs in education, community development, and sustainable agriculture to improve the living conditions of Zanzibar’s most vulnerable communities and to promote family self-sufficiency, the empowerment of young people and women, and environmental protection.
I worked with a group of four other ESC volunteers, and together we supported the organization’s programs. The core of our activities was the humanitarian aid program. Every week, we organized and distributed supplies (such as food and clothing) to families facing economic challenges. As you can see below the food distribution usually consists of a vegetable basket, rice, white flour, vegetable oil, beans, salt, sugar and dates.
As part of the humanitarian program, we also organized the collection and distribution of clothing donations for children living in orphanages in two villages on the Tumbatu Island. We distributed clothing to about 160 children living in the island, which remains one of the most isolated areas of the Zanzibar archipelago and maintains a strong connection to its traditions and it is difficult for tourists to access. Casually, just two weeks before, we had tried to visit it but were unable to disembark! After this experience, having the possibility of going back as volunteers and being welcomed by the community made me feel incredibly grateful 🙂
I also had the chance to take part in Eid al-Adha, the Islamic holiday observed during the month of Dhu al-Hijjah that commemorates Abraham’s act of submission and trust. We witnessed the ritual slaughter of the cows and supported meat distribution efforts across more than fifteen villages in just one day! Around 300 cows in total. It was not easy at all. It was tough, both mentally and physically, but also incredibly moving. Living in a Muslim community and celebrating right alongside my local colleagues made it an experience I’ll never forget.
Regarding permaculture programs, activities were partially slowed down due to weather conditions (it was the rainy season), but we still contributed to projects related to community empowerment.
To tell you in short, the Assalam Community Foundation programs help local communities reduce costs using fewer expensive chemical inputs while producing healthier crops. The goal is better food security, higher incomes, and a stronger local economy while protecting the land for future generations. As part of this project, my team helped plant fruit trees on farms in different villages and conduct workshops in schools to demonstrate how to plant using these sustainable methods. It was very interesting!! And I will not deny that it was a learning experience for me as well :))
We also contributed to the Chicken Coop Project, which combines permaculture with community empowerment to support local women’s economic independence through small chicken farming businesses. Women received training and everything they needed to get started (chickens, coops, feed, medicine, and basic farm management skills) while the organization committed to buying their first products, helping them access a stable market.
Our role was to help distribute the chickens and feed, and we also helped build an azolla pond, allowing chicken feed to be produced locally and more sustainably.
Finally, during these two months, I also worked as a teaching assistant at the Assalam International School, with a class of six and seven year olds students. It was very challenging at first but incredibly rewarding at the end! I also contributed in organizing one – day initiatives for children from local orphanages, with sports activities, group games, and creative workshops.
I can say now it has been an incredible experience. For two months I was immersed in an extraordinary landscape of palm trees, banana plants, mango trees, and unspoiled beaches, and I got to meet wonderful, welcoming people. Getting used to the humidity was not easy, especially during peak rainy season, but after a few weeks I got the hang of it!
I’d highly recommend anyone interested in an experience like this to apply for the European Solidarity Corps. I’ll leave the link with all the info here in case you’re interested 🙂
Chiara Artioli, Collaborator, Education Inspiring Peace Lab
From Sanremo to Biella: Building a bridge for Peace
On June 21, representatives from Sanremo Città di Pace travelled to Biella to take part in the inaugural session of the Camera dello Stato dell’Arte, hosted at Cittadellarte. The gathering marked the formal launch of the Stato dell’Arte’s founding institutions, with artist Michelangelo Pistoletto and Paolo Naldini opening the day’s proceedings.
During the session, Pistoletto expressed his wish to see Sanremo become an Embassy of the Stato dell’Arte – a recognition that reflects the strong alignment between the two projects’ shared commitment to peace, dialogue, and community building.
For our delegation, the day was also an opportunity to connect with the Statodellarte’s founding Constitution, which frames collective action and peacebuilding as concrete, practical work rather than abstract ideals. Discussions touched on preventive peace, interfaith dialogue, the relationship between art and business and the role of sport as a tool for education and peace – themes that resonate closely with Sanremo Città della Pace’s own mission. Looking ahead, our team is now exploring how these principles might inform our own Charter of Values.
We’ll share more as this new chapter of collaboration unfolds – stay tuned!
Sanremo Celebrates Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Honorary Presidency and Strengthens Its Peace Network
EIP Lab celebrated the Appointment of Michelangelo Pistoletto as Honorary President of Sanremo Città di Pace.
On 6 June 2026, Sanremo hosted a significant moment in the development of its growing commitment to peace, culture, and international dialogue. The appointment of Maestro Michelangelo Pistoletto as Honorary President of the Gruppo Sanremo Città di Pace was officially sealed through the presentation of a commemorative parchment.
The event represented the formalization of a recognition that had already matured through the cultural and civic collaboration established between the Group and the internationally renowned artist. Widely recognized for his contribution to contemporary art and for his reflection on the relationship between creativity, society, and civic responsibility, Michelangelo Pistoletto embodies a vision that closely aligns with the values promoted by Sanremo Città di Pace and the Education Inspiring Peace Laboratory.
EIP Lab participated in the ceremony as part of its ongoing commitment to strengthening networks that connect culture, education, and peacebuilding. The appointment of Pistoletto carries particular significance not only as a tribute to his artistic achievements, but also as an acknowledgement of his long-standing theoretical and practical engagement in fostering models of social responsibility, dialogue, and peaceful coexistence.
The formal conferment took place in conjunction with the Premio Internazionale di Letteratura Casinò di Sanremo – Antonio Semeria, one of the city’s most established cultural events. The occasion brought together representatives from the cultural, educational, and civic sectors, creating a meaningful setting to celebrate the values of dialogue, creativity, and social responsibility embodied by the Honorary Presidency.
The ceremony offered an important opportunity to reaffirm the role of Sanremo as a meeting point for institutions, cultural actors, and international initiatives dedicated to promoting peace. The presence of representatives from the cultural, educational, and civic sectors further highlighted the shared determination to invest in projects capable of generating lasting impact at both local and international levels.
The conferment of the Honorary Presidency marks a further step in the consolidation of the Sanremo Città di Pace network and opens new perspectives for future collaborations aimed at strengthening the connection between culture, education, and active citizenship. In this context, the contribution of Michelangelo Pistoletto represents an inspiring reference for the development of initiatives that place human responsibility, creativity, and dialogue at the centre of peacebuilding efforts.
Sanremo Strengthens Its International Role with the EIP Lab Assembly and a Focus on Global Peace Education
The Annual General Assembly of the EIP Lab took place in Sanremo, representing a key moment for discussion and strategic direction for the Lab’s activities.
The day opened with an institutional meeting between Honorary President Patrizio Bianchi (former Italian Minister of Education, former Rector of the University of Ferrara, and holder of the UNESCO Chair on Education, Growth and Equality), Executive Director Claudio Dondi, City Councillor Vittorio Toesca, and the Mayor of Sanremo, Alessandro Mager. The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to strengthening the city’s role as an active space for promoting peace, capable of hosting institutions, projects, and international networks engaged in these issues. Thanks also to the 1920 Conference and the presence of the International Institute of Humanitarian Law, Sanremo confirms itself not only as a symbolic place, but as an operational context ready to support initiatives of global scope.
In the afternoon, the General Assembly highlighted EIP Lab’s determination and practical approach in consolidating its role as an international platform connecting peace actors, with particular attention to education. In this context, the design of an International Peace Academy for advanced research was launched, conceived as a structured space for higher education, study, and innovation, capable of integrating academic, experimental, and operational dimensions. The Academy fits into a vision that organically links European, national, and international levels, strengthening the Lab’s ability to generate impact and shared knowledge.
The day concluded with the public event “Europe between Trump and China: Building Peace” held at the Teatro del Casinò, which saw significant participation from the local community. The discussion offered a careful analysis of the current international landscape, highlighting the important role Europe could play in building pathways to peace, particularly through strengthening policies and practices related to education, research, and development. “European unity,” stated Patrizio Bianchi, “is now necessary to restore peace, in the face of U.S. adventurism and Chinese opportunism – unity that is essential for each European country to remain relevant in addressing the global scale of the challenges we all face, which no country alone – not even Germany or France, and certainly not Italy – can manage independently.” In this framework, EIP Lab’s contribution appears especially significant in translating these perspectives into concrete initiatives. The broad and active participation confirmed the city’s willingness to play a leading role in this debate, further consolidating its position as a reference point for international dialogue and peace-oriented cooperation.
High-Level Dialogue on Multilateralism and Education at Villa Ormond
On April 16, 2026, at Villa Ormond, EIP Lab participated in a high-level discussion with Roberto Balzaretti, Ambassador of Switzerland to Italy.
The event brought together institutional representatives, including the Mayor and the President of the Institute, alongside students, to reflect on the role of multilateralism and international law in an increasingly complex global landscape.
The discussion highlighted the importance of viewing current global challenges as an opportunity to promote a more equitable and balanced international order – one that places fundamental rights at its core and redefines the frameworks of global cooperation.
A particularly meaningful moment of exchange took place when our President, Anne Bamford, raised a question on the role of education, arts, and culture in shaping the future. In response, the Ambassador emphasised the need to adapt education systems to emerging challenges, while preserving depth, critical thinking, and intellectual rigor.
EIP Lab is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a timely and forward-looking dialogue.
It’s official: Sanremo is becoming a City of Peace!
On 2 April, the Sanremo City of Peace Group was officially launched at the Teatro dell’Opera del Casinò. The network now brings together 20 organisations, including associations, schools, and cultural institutions, working across human rights, intercultural dialogue, solidarity, and active citizenship.
Municipal Councillor Vittorio Toesca highlighted the initiative as an opportunity to enrich Sanremo’s identity, alongside its internationally known Music Festival and Flower Parade, with a strong commitment to peace. Vice Mayor Fulvio Fellegara emphasised the importance of building cross-sector civil society networks as a key tool for cultural and social development, capable of generating long-term impact.
Claudio Dondi underlined the role of the four working groups, which now meet regularly and serve as the operational engine translating shared vision into concrete initiatives.
A particularly anticipated moment of the launch was the video message by artist Michelangelo Pistoletto, who accepted the role of honorary president. He introduced the concept of “preventive peace” as a response to logics of conflict prevention through military means. His symbol of the Third Paradise will be integrated into the network’s visual identity, representing the possibility of reconciliation and balance between opposing forces.
Today, the Sanremo City of Peace Group is not only discussing peace – it is actively building it through collaboration, participation, and shared responsibility.
Berlin Meeting for DECITEL
The DECITEL partners gathered in Berlin for a three-day Transnational Project Meeting dedicated to advancing Citizenship Education within Local Learning Ecosystems.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for partners to exchange experiences, share good practices, and reflect on the progress achieved so far at local level. Particular attention was given to the challenges encountered in designing and delivering effective Citizenship Education initiatives in diverse contexts.
Building on these discussions, partners worked collaboratively on the co-design of prototype learning pathways for teachers. These pathways aim to support educators in addressing key themes such as critical digital citizenship, democratic participation, inclusion, and community collaboration, equipping them with practical tools and approaches adaptable to their local environments.
The meeting also played an important role in strengthening collaboration across the partnership, fostering mutual learning, and ensuring alignment on the next phases of the project.
We would like to thank all partners for their active engagement and valuable contributions throughout the meeting, as well as DARE for their warm hospitality and excellent organisation in Berlin.
Strengthening Citizenship Education at Civil Society Week 2026
The EIP Lab took part in Civil Society Week 2026 in Brussels, contributing to discussions on inclusion, youth engagement, and citizenship education.
During the session “Educating Citizenship for Resilient Societies”, Claudio Dondi highlighted the crucial role of educators in shaping active and responsible citizens. He also emphasized the potential of the Teacher Academy as a key tool to support teachers in developing these competences.
Following the panel, EIP Lab co-facilitated a dedicated session on the DECITEL project together with EPA and OBESSU. Participants engaged in a collaborative discussion to identify key challenges affecting Citizenship Education across Europe. Among the main barriers highlighted were fragmented policy frameworks, limited assessment tools, and the insufficient integration of a global dimension in school curricula.
These insights will directly contribute to strengthening the project’s ongoing work and future outputs.
EIP Lab would like to thank the European Economic and Social Committee for hosting the event, as well as all partners and participants for their valuable contributions and inspiring exchange!
Stay connected with EIP Lab to follow the next steps of this work and upcoming initiative!
Peace Games day in Genoa
The EIP Lab training on Peace Games continues! On 24 January 2026, the EIP Lab facilitated training sessions on Peace Games at the Nautical Institute of Genoa, commissioned by the Barbiana School Network. For several years, one of our core missions has been to promote creative game design and game-based learning in both formal and non-formal educational settings, with the aim of developing citizenship, democratic, and social competences.
The sessions began with an introduction to the importance of play and to how essential skills and knowledge can be acquired through gaming. Participants were then divided into groups and, in rotation, were invited to experience three different Peace Games, allowing them to firsthand explore what it means to develop competences such as respect, listening to others, self-awareness, intercultural understanding, and exchange through play.
This was followed by a more hands-on workshop phase. Participants were asked to write on post-it notes what came to mind when hearing the word “game”. The ideas were then collected, and participants were divided into groups to design their own Peace Games. These games were subsequently developed and presented to the rest of the group.
Teacher training is fundamental to preparing children and young people for respectful and collaborative participation in society. This approach helps to expand the school’s educational focus on citizenship through gaming and provides teachers with new pedagogical tools. The impact of this training day, which involved already different schools in our territory, is significant, as it will have a cascading effect on many students and begin to plant the seeds for more active and democratic participation. If your school or institute is interested in joining our training or learning more about Peace Games, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
From ideas to action: Sanremo gets to work for peace
Sanremo is continuing to build its vision as a City of Peace!
In January, the Sanremo City of Peace Group met at Villa Ormond, bringing together local associations and organizations to develop concrete initiatives related to peace, citizenship, and democracy. This meeting was of fundamental importance, as it concluded with a list of ideas to be developed into concrete projects.
In the first part of the meeting, the discussion focused on the importance of finding a permanent headquarters for the group, and we warmly thank the Vice Mayor for attending and discussing this topic with us.
The central part of the meeting, as planned, took the form of a Policy Lab, building on a need analysis conducted in a previous session and gathering everyone’s ideas on collective initiatives that could be organized to give coherence, impact, and visibility to the concept of Sanremo as a City of Peace. The Policy Lab format, which draws on Design Thinking, follows a confidentiality rule during proposal and discussion sessions, applying the Chatham House principle (the content and outcomes of the discussion are public, but individual positions are not publicized).
The meeting concluded by organizing the proposals into a “generative core” and four thematic areas, each corresponding to a working group, leaving the core for reflection and collective development. Sanremo is therefore actively shaping a culture of peace.
