Difendiamo il Futuro
Difendiamo il Futuro (“Let's Defend the Future”) is an association based in Turin, chaired by Giulio Calabrese. The association organises educational programmes for the public, devoted to understanding how democratic institutions work and to civic participation [1].
The "Conoscere e partecipare" series
On 29 October 2026, at the Fondazione Opera Munifica Istruzione on via San Massimo 21 in Turin, the association opened the first of a series of nine meetings titled “Conoscere e partecipare: percorso di cittadinanza attiva e partecipazione civica” (“Knowing and taking part: a path of active citizenship and civic participation”). The programme runs from October 2026 to June 2027, with hour-and-a-half lectures given by university professors, CNR researchers and representatives of local and regional institutions [1]. At the end of the series, from September to December 2027, a phase devoted to carrying out a concrete civic-participation project will follow [1].
The meetings revolve around three questions: what are the functions of municipalities (Comuni), regions and districts (Circoscrizioni); how much and how can citizens take part in public decisions; and how democratic institutions work at every level [1]. According to chairman Giulio Calabrese, the series aims to give participants “the tools needed to understand how institutions work, learn the mechanisms of public administration and gain a better-informed awareness of democratic life” [1].
Speakers and schedule
The first meeting, on 29 October 2026, was given by Giovanni Boggero, a lecturer at the University of Turin, on the concept of law and the state in democratic and non-democratic systems; Boggero returned on 19 November to address the relationship between the Constitution, the state and territorial autonomies [1]. On 10 December, Igor Benati, a researcher at CNR-IRCrES, spoke on public policy [1]. On 14 January 2027 Cristina Savio and Valerio Lomanto, chairs respectively of Turin's Districts (Circoscrizioni) 1 and 6, are due to speak on how the city's districts work [1]. On 11 February, Andrea Andolfato, mayor of Sant'Antonino di Susa, and Matteo Cavallone, mayor of Collegno, are due to speak on the role of municipalities [1]. On 11 March it will be the turn of Aurelia Jannelli and Silvia Salvai, of the Piedmont Regional Council, on regional legislative activity, while 8 April is set aside for a meeting on the tools of direct participation available to citizens [1]. A further session in the series is devoted to the management of public resources [1].
Timeline
- — On 29 October 2026 the association Difendiamo il Futuro opens, at the Fondazione Opera Munifica Istruzione in Turin, the first of nine meetings devoted to active citizenship and civic participation, a series that will run until June 2027. → Il Torinese
Related articles: Launch of the "Conoscere e partecipare" series at the Fondazione Opera Munifica Istruzione
Sources
- Cittadinanza attiva e partecipazione civica: Difendiamo il Futuro — Il Torinese, 26 October 2026