Speech for “Architetture di pace: Diplomazia culturale, benessere collettivo e nuove geografie urbane”.

Roma, 13/05/2026

I’d like to thank PPAN Academy, CUIRIF (eCampus and Pontificia Università Antonianum) and the Department for Islamic Studies for the invitation to participate in this high-profile panel.

The debate, on the importance of cultural Diplomacy, on possible instruments of social growth and new generation, forces of cultural integration also by shaping new urban profiles and new possible lifestyle solutions.

On behalf of AISEC, I extend a greeting to all of you, renewing our decade-long commitment to dialogue among every culture, religious creed, and community.

Crucial infrastructures and efficient city mobility systems are paramount in fostering inclusion and social cohesion in our contemporary society. Their significance extends beyond mere functionality, directly impacting the daily lives of citizens, their access to opportunities, and their ability to participate fully in community life, especially for the youngest generation.

Firstly, critical infrastructures, encompassing utilities like electricity, water, and communication networks, form the backbone of modern society. Reliable access to these services is a fundamental prerequisite for inclusion. For instance, consistent electricity supply is essential for education, enabling students to study and utilize digital learning resources. It also supports small businesses, creating employment opportunities and stimulating local economies, which in turn reduces economic disparities. Access to clean water and sanitation is a basic human right, and its absence disproportionately affects marginalized communities, leading to health crises and further entrenching social exclusion. We are seeing that in the tragical humanitarian needs suffered by the war-torn Countries.

Furthermore, robust communication networks are vital for staying connected, accessing information, and participating in the digital economy. In an increasingly digital world, a lack of internet access can isolate individuals and communities, limiting their access to essential services, job opportunities, and social interaction.

Critical infrastructure has been—and continues to be—all of these things. In the past – since the age of the Roman empire – as in the present, its role is not merely to meet a need (mobility, electricity, water supply, and so on), but also to act as an accelerator of collective growth.

So all said teaches us that nothing can be left to chance and that a vision is needed. We cannot delegate the future to improvisation; self-determinism does not work in the current scenario. Whoever designs future has, at the same time, design the fight against marginalization.

Secondly, a well-designed and accessible city mobility system plays an equally crucial role in promoting social cohesion. Public transportation, including buses, trains, and trams, connects people to their workplaces, schools, healthcare facilities, and social activities. When these systems are efficient, affordable, and accessible to all, regardless of their physical abilities or socioeconomic status, they break down geographical barriers and reduce inequalities. For individuals residing in peripheral areas, reliable public transport can be the difference between accessing employment opportunities in the city center or being confined to limited local options. For the elderly or those with disabilities, accessible transport options ensure their independence and ability to participate in community life, preventing social isolation.

Moreover, good city mobility goes hand-in-hand with economic inclusion. By facilitating efficient commutes, it reduces transportation costs for individuals, freeing up disposable income that can be invested in education, healthcare, or other necessities. Conversely, inadequate mobility systems can create “transport poverty,” where individuals spend an inordinate amount of time and money on commuting, further exacerbating financial strain. In my career I saw so many people (especially women) to leave their job for time-consuming reasons.

Beyond physical movement, city mobility systems contribute to social cohesion by creating shared spaces and interactions. Public transport can be a melting pot where people from diverse backgrounds encounter each other, fostering understanding and reducing social divides. Well-maintained public spaces, such as pedestrian zones and bike paths, encourage active living and community engagement, promoting a sense of belonging and shared identity.

In conclusion, the intertwining roles of crucial infrastructures and city mobility systems are indispensable for achieving inclusion and social cohesion. Investing in and maintaining these systems is not merely a matter of urban planning or economic development; it is a fundamental commitment to creating equitable, resilient, and connected societies where every individual could thrive and participate fully. Their impact on education, health, economic opportunity, and social interaction underscores their profound importance in shaping inclusive and cohesive urban environments.

The new generation is also acutely aware of the importance of the place where they live. Therefore, city mobility systems that prioritize public transport, cycling infrastructure, and pedestrian zones and a mix of them together with the freedom to use private cars resonate deeply with their values. In essence, for the new generation, the city is not just a place to reside; it’s an ecosystem that profoundly influences their potential. The quality and accessibility of crucial infrastructures and city mobility systems directly impact their ability to learn, work, connect, and thrive. Ensuring these systems are inclusive, sustainable, and forward-looking is therefore an investment in the future leaders, innovators, and engaged citizens of tomorrow, making it a critical factor in fostering enduring inclusion and social cohesion.

In Europe, we have a lot of best practices like London, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Lisbon. In Italy, especially in the center-south, there are still criticalities. Milan is better than Rome, Rome is better than Palermo. According to the “Car dependency index” 2025, Paris and Zurich are the only European cities where public transport – in the city centers – is used more than private cars.

In France, for example, to meet people’s expectations as effectively as possible, Keolis (majority shareholder: SNCF) deciphers today’s lifestyles in order to imagine tomorrow’s mobility through the observatory Keoscopie, which has been carrying out studies for over twenty years. In some findings we read that 43% of 15-27 year olds associate the word pollution with cars, compared to around 9% for public transportation and that 27 % of 15-27 years old (source : UTPF), insecurity is a barrier to the use of public transport. So using or not using public transport for young people is still an open match. We can appreciate in these studies also some useful advise as:

  • for those who have a driver’s license, promote complementarity with public transportation: combined park-and-ride + transportation season tickets, marketing that promotes “modal mix” rather than the opposition between cars and public transportation;
  • enhance the sense of security in the network and public spaces (lighting, cleanliness, on-demand stops, human presence, staff training) to make the network welcoming rather than hostile.

Children and young people today have access to increasing opportunities to learn, travel, volunteer and have their voice heard. They are the most educated and digital generation ever, positioned at the forefront of technological innovation and with a life expectancy estimated at 81.7 years (2024). However, young people today are also more exposed to labour-market disruptions and new forms of insecurity linked to rapid technological change. Despite their overall high level of education, many follow education paths which do not always align with evolving skills needs and emerging sectors.

The EC 2025 Strategic Foresight Report on intergenerational fairness, presents eight key areas where the EU can act to transform Europe specific challenges into opportunities.

Some examples: transitions from education to stable employment, broader social and psycho-logical challenges (especially after COVID time), including elevated levels of stress, anxiety and loneliness. Housing represents on of the biggest challenges, making it more difficult for young people to become homeowners and to leave their parents’ home, delaying their move to autonomy.

In Italy

In 2025, we got an important step beyond intergenerational fairness. As done in many Constitutions in Europe and outside Europe, also the Italian one has introduced a specific principle. Law no. 167, approved in November 2025, established the Government’s obligation to evaluate new regulations in terms of social and environmental impacts on current and future younger generations. Furthermore, an extremely important principle for the future development of policies is made explicit: “the laws of the Italian Republic promote intergenerational equity, also in the interests of future generations”. This is a potential revolution since many times, in fact, the burden of choices made in the present has been silently dumped on the shoulders of the youngest and of the generations to come. Furthermore, In 2025, thanks to the commitment also of ASviS, and AISEC as part of it, Italy got that important result.

How to make SDGs more effective on this topic?

AISEC, born ten years ago with the objective of promoting the circular economy model through the implementation of ESGs, has taken a specific engagement. For AISEC, the correct ESG positioning does not only require a technological or regulatory transformation: it is first and foremost a cultural and generational transformation. The impact on young people of actions, policies and projects represents an essential fact. AISEC has decided to focus entirely on young people. Thus “NextGeneration” set of projects (see attachment) has been launched early 2026 with the aim of strengthening the dialogue between business and new generations, contributing to the development of technical-environmental and managerial skills related to the circular economy, positioning the Company or Organization as a cultural ESG actor and an authentic laboratory of sustainable innovation.