Sanremo Strengthens Its International Role with the EIP Lab Assembly and a Focus on Global Peace Education

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.

About the author

EIP Laboratory Team administrator

The Education Inspiring Peace Laboratory team is composed of contributors seconded by the different institutional members of the association and its individual members. If you are interested in joining the Lab and contributing to its activities as an institution, an expert or an educational practitioner, contact us at sanremo@eiplab.eu.