World Forum for Peace

The Culture Ticino Network Association in Lugano is pleased to announce its 12° edition of the World Forum for Peace with the theme “Peace and the Rights of Future Generations”, which will take place from November 5, 2024, to November 28, 2024, in various venues in Lugano.

The inaugural day of the 12° edition of the World Forum for Peace will be held with our requested Peace Village on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano. Our Association is Partner of the Third World March for Peace and Nonviolence, which will start on October 2, 2024, and will end on January 5, 2025, in Costa Rica. We are pleased to inform you that an international delegation will come to Lugano for the first time on the occasion of our main events of the World Forum for Peace, namely at the Peace Village on November 5, 2024, and the Cultural event and Charity Gala Dinner on November 9, 2024.

The purpose of the World Forum is to help us in increasing the awareness and sharing possible “objectives and solutions” for future generations. Peace, in fact, begins with small things – that are ourselves, the family, in schools, and in every level of reality – to then be spread throughout the World.

The fundraising during the 12° edition of the World Forum for Peace will support the projects of our Association in Ticino and the Philippines.

This year, the World Forum for Peace will include the following four events:

Peace Village, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano

On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Palazzo dei Congressi in Lugano, our significant “Peace Village” will return. This is one of our most important educational events, entirely dedicated to elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and professional schools, featuring 12 workshops on Peace and the rights of the future generations. The welcoming of schools is scheduled from 9:00 AM. The official part will be held with the welcome greetings of our President Margherita Maffeis-Natale, the Mayor of Lugano Michele Foletti and renowned international guests, Including the Delegation of the Third World March for Peace.  The Choir “Crescendo Cantando” of the Montessori School “La Casa di Irma” of Bedano, conducted by Barbara Busana, and the Children’s Choir of Bellinzona, lead by Thomas Guggia, will perform. Next from 10:00 AM to 12:15 PM there will be the first round of Workshops and at 12:15 PM we will have lunch together.

In case of good weather, the participants will be asked to “create” the symbol of peace by positioning in a specific place on the ground, then a drone will take a video. The workshops will be conducted by Associations and Professionals with whom we actively collaborate, including Amici Ticino per il Burundi (AMTIBU), Amici of APROSEM (Senegal), Association for Sarva Seva Farms (ASSEFA India), FRASI Association, KALKIDAN Association, Discrimination Prevention Centre, PEN Centre Association (war journalists), Swiss Red Cross, educator and author Ivan Magnani, children’s book illustrator and author Suzanne Palermo, SOS Childhood Helpline and the Montessori School “La Casa di Irma” of Bedano.

For more information about the Peace Village and workshops please CLICK HERE

Cultural evening and Charity Gala Dinner, Saturday, November 9, 2024, at the Hotel de la Paix in Lugano

On Saturday, November 9, 2024, starting from 5:00 PM, the cultural evening with the “Round Table” and the “Charity Gala Dinner” will be held at the Hotel de la Paix in Lugano. This special evening will start with the welcome greetings of our President Margherita Maffeis-Natale, as well as Honorary Consul of the Philippines in Ticino, the Delegation of the Third World March for Peace, the authorities and renowned international and national guests, including State Councillor Raffaele De Rosa, Vice Mayor of Lugano Roberto Badaracco, Ambassador of the Philippines to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Bernard Dy and many others guests.

The interesting round table will follow, this year the focus will be on “Peace and the rights of the future generations; benefits and risks of new technologies”. The main speakers will be Dr.ssa Donatella Marazziti, one of the most important psychiatrists in Italy, the Atty Matteo Galvagnini, a specialist in multinational law and security, and Giulio Vannini, an expert data architect and engineer with extensive experience in the field of generative AI and data management. The moderator will be the journalist Antonio Franzi.

To cheer the first part of the evening and the aperitif, which will start at 7pm, there will be famous songs sung by the virtuoso vocal-pop Choir “The Harmonics”.

From 8pm the long-awaited Solidarity Gala Dinner, which will be conducted by our beloved Maristella Polli. It will be a very special evening where we will talk about PEACE and solidarity with important international and national guests, and from which concrete actions will arise. 

This will be an evening full of emotions and surprises, but that will not forget the fun, with us there will be also the well-known artist Flavio Sala (The Frontaliers), and the Duo “Le Unio” with famous songs that will take us back to the unforgettable 70-80s.

During the evening there will also be the ceremony of the Spyri award, an important recognition of the Association Culture Ticino Network introduced in 2013 and that is delivered, during the World Forum for Peace, to people and/or associations that have distinguished themselves in the field of peace and solidarity.
This symbolic award is derived from the famous novel “Heidi”, written by author Johanna Spyri.
The registration of this special cultural and solidarity evening is open!
Tel. +41 91 922 95 18 or by e-mail to: info@maffeisnetwork.ch

Solidarity Musical, Sunday, November 24, 2024, at Teatro Foce in Lugano

On Sunday, November 24, 2024, at 4 pm, at the Teatro Foce of Lugano, do not miss this special solidarity musical entitled “Romeo and Juliet, an Old Side Story” in collaboration with the School of Music and Classical Arts of Riva San Vitale.

This event is an important opportunity to raise public awareness of the values of peace and mutual understanding, using music, dance and acting as tools for union and dialogue.

The musical is centered on the famous Shakespearean tragedy and intertwines with the modern story of West Side Story, in a thematic continuum aimed at highlighting human feelings, immutable to the passing of the centuries.

The figure of the Seer will involve the public in his vision of events, in an attempt to change the fatal outcome of events. Will the crazy feeling of the young lovers overcome their respective “history”, ancient as the world? You want to knows the end of this musical? Don’t not miss this special musical event.

Cost of tickets:

CHF 15:00 for adults / from 7 to 16 years CHF 8.00/ children up to 6 years free

Ticket sales:

Ahttp://www.biglietteria.ch or cash payment on Sunday, 24 November at the Teatro Foce, from 14:30 PM.

Solidarity Concert for Peace, Thursday, November 28, 2024, at the church S. Antonio in Lugano

This special 12th edition of the World Forum for Peace will end with a very special Concert for Peace. Admission is free. The funds raised will be used for projects of our Association in Ticino and the Philippines.

We are waiting for you on Thursday November 28 2024, at 8 pm, at the Church of Sant’Antonio Abate in Lugano. The virtuoso Choir of Scuola corale della Cattedrale di Lugano will perform for us with famous songs that will touch our hearts.

A unique evening, during which we will communicate many news and important collaborations that await us in the future!

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

We live in a world which is marked by over 60 conflicts, suffering, and divisions. Every day, the news reminds us of the fragility of peace and how crucial our collective commitment is to preserving it. Wars, injustices, and humanitarian crises affect millions of people worldwide, challenging our humanity and our ability to live together in harmony.

The World Forum for Peace is not just an event; it is a call to action. It is an invitation to reflect, to dialogue, and to build together a culture of peace that can withstand any threat. During this edition, we will have the opportunity to hear inspiring voices, participate in interactive workshops, and create bridges of solidarity and collaboration.

Promoting peace is not an easy endeavour, but it is essential. It is a journey that requires courage, empathy, and a clear vision of a world where every human being can live free from fear and violence. At the World Forum for Peace, we will celebrate the successes we have achieved while also plan actions to promote peace. Together, we can make a difference and build a better future.

We invite you to join us in this important mission.  Not only your presence will enrich our World Forum but will also represent a powerful message of hope and change. Together, we can build bridges of understanding and break down the walls of division and suffering.

For more information about the events of the World Forum, you can contact us at our email address:

info@maffeisnetwork.ch or you can call us at +41 91 922 95 18