PEACE VILLAGE 2025
THURSDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2025 AT THE PALAZZO DEI CONGRESSI IN LUGANO
THE ‘VILLAGE OF PEACE’ COMES BACK BY GREAT DEMAND: FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS, MIDDLE SCHOOLS, HIGH SCHOOLS AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
(Registration deadline: October 20, 2025 to the following email: info@maffeisnetwork.ch)
Cost per person: CHF 10.00 / including lunch
Attention: Due to limited spaces, please register as soon as possible!
We joyfully announce this special 10th edition of the “Village of Peace” that will also inaugurate the 13th edition of the “World Forum for Peace”, which will take place from 11 November to 23 November 2025 in various locations around Lugano. During this edition we will have a rich programme of events and initiatives aimed at young and very young people who will have the opportunity to convey important messages with the aim of promoting Culture of Peace and non-violence, respect for Human Rights and Sustainability. These messages will give life to a ‘Manifesto for Peace’ that will be read out at various times during the World Forum and passed on to international guests and local and international institutions.
New workshops on topical issues will be offered this year to raise awareness among our participants. The 11 workshops will be held in partnership with Associations and Professionals of the sector, who will make their wealth of knowledge and experience available.
The official opening will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in the presence of choirs and renowned guests, followed during the day by two rounds of workshops: from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. From 12:15 to 13:30 there will be a communal lunch, organised by our Association.
The workshops will have a minimum duration of 30-40 minutes, after which there will be a rotation of classes in newly assigned workstations. Special attention will be given to the requests of participating schools. All workshops will be adapted to the various school realities (ES, MS, high schools and universities). It is important to emphasise that the Workshop organised by “Mondi senza Guerre e senza Violenza (MSGV)” and the presentation of the book “Occult Powers” written by Dr. Luigi De Magistris will be held at the same location, in the morning and afternoon respectively.
We would like to thank the various associations and professionals who have joined in for their important collaboration. The stations will be managed by: Associazione Culture Ticino Network coordinated by A. Margherita Maffeis-Natale, the Naturainonda project curated by Alessandra Melucci, Amici Ticino per il Burundi (AMTIBU) curated by Marco Barzaghini, Associazione Telefono S.O.S Infanzia curated by Paolo Frangi and Tina Mantovani, the Rugby Lugano sports club curated by Diego Azzolini, Fondazione Città per i Bambini Basilicata (whose president is the Nobel Peace Prize winner Jodie Williams), l’Associazione Kalkidan by Maha Kashef, Association for Sarva Seva Farms (ASSEFA) by Katharina Kindler assisted by Pietro Tafaro, Mondi senza Guerre e senza Violenza (MSGV) by Tiziana Volta, Suzanne Palermo (children’s illustrator and author) and Pinuccia Soffientini (music therapist), Ketty Magni (writer and journalist).
In the afternoon, as a novelty of the Village of Peace, there will be a presentation of the book ‘Occult Powers’ by Dr. Luigi De Magistris. The event is open to high schools, university students and the whole population (registration required).
To celebrate this important 10th anniversary of the “Village of Peace”, the Association has decided to organise on the same day, from 8 p.m., the “Solidarity Show for Peace”, with the intervention of important international and local guests and artists from the fields of culture, fashion, music, institutions. More information will follow.
In conclusion, this special day and evening represent a unique opportunity to raise awareness among all generations and at all levels of these important issues, which promote a message of hope and commitment for a better future. We look forward to seeing you in large numbers to share together this important moment of growth and reflection.
The programme for the day is currently being prepared. Below you will find the provisional programme:
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME FOR TUESDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2025
From 8:45 a.m.:
Reception of schools at the Palace of Congresses
From 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.:
Official opening of the 13th ‘World Forum for Peace’ and ‘Village of Peace’ with the participation of renowned guests and the welcome address of our President A. Margherita Maffeis-Natale
10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: First round of Workshops
12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: Communal Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Second round of Workshops and presentation of the book ‘Occult Powers’ by Dr. Luigi De Magistris (see Workshop 7)
8:00 p.m.: Show for Peace with the extraordinary participation of artists and guests from the fields of culture, fashion, music and film. Information will follow.
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Culture Ticino Network Association is pleased to present the following workshops on the occasion of the ‘Village of Peace’:
Workshop 1
THE CULTURE OF PEACE: ‘FOR A MORE JUST AND PACEFUL WORLD’
Curated by A. Margherita Maffeis-Natale, President and Founder of Associazione Culture Ticino Network and Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Ticino.
On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the ‘Village for Peace’ there will initially be a brief introduction on the activities carried out by our Association, after which the station will become an interactive workshop where young children and teenagers will take centre stage and will create the ‘MANIFESTO FOR PEACE’.
Workshop 2
‘DO WE MAKE PEACE?’
Curated by Alessandra Melucci, Naturinonda)
Alessandra Melucci works on environmental protection and biodiversity, exploring the link between nature, psyche and human identity. Naturinonda promotes reconnection with nature and sustainability, encouraging reflection on peace, ecosystems and creative communities.
Workshop 3
“YOUNG PEOPLE AND PEACE IN BURUNDI”
Curated by Marco Barzaghini, Amici Ticino per il Burundi (AMTIBU)
The workshop focuses on the presentation of the book “In Burundi you live” and of the project “Music is Union”, which offers young people in Burundi an opportunity for growth through education and music, promoting cohesion and social inclusion. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the AMTIBU Association and create a flower of peace.
Workshop 4
‘RESPECT AND RIGHTS OF THE CHILD’
Curated by Paolo Frangi and Tina Mantovani, Associazione Telefono S.O.S. Infanzia – in collaboration with Lidia Canonico (President of Associazione La Sorgente), Dr. Myriam Caranzano (Former Director of the ASPI Foundation), Secretary Gioacchino Lo Nardo and Andreina Lo Nardo, retired teacher of the kindergarten
The workshop will present the activities of the Associazione Telefono S.O.S. Infanzia, focusing on children’s rights, telephone referrals and initiatives such as free piano lessons for young people and a cash prize to support organisations that support children. A questions and answer session will follow.
Workshop 5
‘OVAL WORLD, A WORLD OF SUPPORT’
Curated by Diego Azzolini, head of Community Relations for the sports club Rugby Lugano
The workshop will explore the role of Rugby as an instrument of education and inclusiveness, focusing on the values of solidarity, respect and peace that this sport promotes. Through testimonies, videos and discussions, it will analyse how Rugby contributes to the global movement for peace, also inspired by figures such as Nelson Mandela.
Workshop 6
‘BUILDING OUR FUTURE’
Curated by Fondazione Città della Pace (chaired by Jodie Williams, Nobel Peace Laureate)
The workshop will present the educational videogame PeaceLAB, which allows children to explore a distant, ideal future, where current problems such as climate change, migration and wars are only memories. Participants, divided into groups, will explore “New Pangea” and interact with historical testimonies and Nobel Peace Laureates, learning useful lessons for the present.
Workshop 7
Morning, from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
‘UNITING NATURE WITH PEACE AND NONVIOLENCE’
Curated by Tiziana Volta – Global Coordinator, WORLD WITHOUT WAR
The workshop will explore the concept of peace and nonviolence through the stories of Martine Sicard and Wangari Maathai, highlighting their commitment to the defence of human rights and the protection of the environment. The aim is to inspire participants to actively contribute to a more just, sustainable and peaceful world.
Afternoon, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
PRESENTATION OF THE BOOK ‘OCCULT POWERS’
Curated by Dr. Luigi De Magistris, former magistrate and author of the book ‘Occult Powers’
In this workshop, Dr. Luigi De Magistris will talk about social justice, mafia and peace through the book: ‘Occult Powers’, a book that focuses on the way in which the Italian Republic has been influenced for decades by collusions that affect even the heart of the State. The event will be moderated by Prof. Annamaria Astrologo, scientific head of the Ticino Observatory on Organised Crime and Professor at the Institute of Law at USI.
The event is open to high school and university students and the general public (registration required).
Workshop 8
“LET’S BECOME SUPERHEROES OF PEACE: LEARNING HOW TO HAVE CAREFUL EARS AND A GENTLE HEART”
Curated by Maha Kashef, Associazione Kalkidan
The workshop “LET’S BECOME SUPERHEROES OF PEACE” is divided into two parts, in the first phase the Associazione Kalkidan will present its projects on the inclusion of street children. In the second phase, through group activities, it will promote the concept of peace, empathy and kindness by making it more concrete and fun.
Workshop 9
‘WOMEN FOR PEACE’
Curated by KETTY Magni – writer and journalist
This workshop will analyse the role of some women peacemakers. These stories focus on their courage and commitment to ensure health, life and defend human rights without discrimination. Stories will be told with the aim of elaborating personal thought and stimulating reflection.
Workshop 10
‘BUILDING PEACE’
Curated by Katharina Kindler, joined by Pietro Tafaro, for ASSEFA, an organisation inspired by Gandhi
The workshop will focus on ASSEFA’s holistic approach, which promotes non-violence and sustainable development in Tamil Nadu, inspired by teachings of Gandhi. The aim is to reflect on how, through daily and concrete actions, it is possible to build a more just and peaceful world.
Workshop 11
‘HUMAN VALUES AND THE “5 Ds” TO FIND OUR WAY’
Curated by Suzanne Palermo – illustrator and children’s author with the musical collaboration of Pinuccia Soffientini – music therapist.
The workshop focuses on the importance of cultivating good behaviour through the unity of head, heart and hands, and on human values rooted in respect for human rights and sustainable development. Practical tools will be introduced such as the “5 Ds”: Discipline, Dedication, Determination, Discernment, and Sense of Duty, and the “Head-Heart-Hands” to help participants develop consistency, kindness and other positive qualities.