Congressi 2009-2018

2010 Bologna 2011 Washington 2012 Addis Ababa 2013 Beijing 

2014 

Bassin 

Du Lac Tchad 

Declaration 

De Bologne 

2014 Bologna 2015 Rome 2016 Venice 

2017 Bologna 

2017 Rome

Activities 2010-2017 

2010 Bologna 2011 Washington 2012 Addis Ababa 2013 Beijing 

2014 

Bassin 

Du Lac Tchad 

Declaration 

De Bologne 

2014 Bologna 2015 Rome 2016 Venice 

2017 

2017 

Bologna 

Bologna 

2017 Rome

Copyright Fondazione per la Collaborazione tra i Popoli 

Organizational secretary 

Via S. Stefano 140 / 40125 Bologna - Italy 

Tel: +39 051 227609 / Fax: +39 051 264813 / fondazione@fondazionepopoli.org 

www.fondazionepopoli.org


Content 

Forward p. 5 

Introduction p. 6 

Africa: 54 Countries, One Union 

2010 Bologna p. 9 

2011 Washington p. 15 

2012 Addis Ababa p. 21 

2013 Beijing p. 27 

2014 Donors Conference for the Revitalisation of Lake Chad / Bologna-Rimini 

Declaration de Bologne p. 33 

2015 Poverty Alleviation / Rome p. 39 

2016 Along the Silk Roads / Venice p. 45 

2017 Science Diplomacy / Bologna p. 51 

2017 Internet Connectivity as a Human Right / Rome p. 57


Forward 

In the pursuit of one of its core objectives – ‘developing and offering new proposals 

of cooperation in the international context’ – the Foundation for World 

Wide Cooperation organized eight major conferences from 2010 to 2017, where 

the following topics were presented and discussed: the prospects of integration of 

the African continent, new technology for poverty alleviation, the role of science diplomacy, 

the new silk roads, and connectivity as a human right. 

The conferences were thought as a form of ‘global collective thinking’ with a few 

keynote speeches from statesmen, representatives of international institutions and 

experts, followed by a wide collective discussion. The file rouge connecting these 

different issues is the centrality of cooperation for promoting global peace and social, 

inclusive and economic development. 

The number and quality of participants attest the strong international interest produced 

by these events, which took place in various parts of the world, such as 

Bologna and Washington, Addis Ababa and Rome, Beijing and Venice. 

In doing so, the Foundation for World Wide Cooperation has contributed to raise 

awareness on unexplored areas, policies, options and technologies for furthering the 

cause of peace and development in a world in which, despite rising tensions and 

confrontations, conflict can be replaced by mutual understanding and cooperation. 

Romano Prodi 

Chair of the Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

5


Introduction 

Since 2010 the Foundation for World Wide Cooperation has organized, in partnership 

with other institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Science, the 

Johns Hopkins University SAIS, the Woodrow Wilson Center, and the Pontifical 

Academy of Sciences, eight major international conferences on four main topics: economic 

integration of the African continent, new technology for poverty alleviation, the 

role of science diplomacy, the new silk roads, and connectivity as a human right. 

The initial four conferences, with the meaningful title Africa: 54 Countries, One 

Union, were devoted to discuss the potential gains and feasibility of African integration 

and to promote an international debate on this topic. They were organized in Bologna, 

Washington, D.C., Addis Ababa, and finally Beijing. 

The first conference in Bologna established the political building block of the conferences 

by highlighting the importance of integration as a key instrument to foster peace 

and prosperity in Africa. In the second conference, the focus was on the empirical analysis 

of the benefits of political and economic integration. In the third conference, held in 

Addis Ababa, a variety of representatives of states, international organizations, and development 

agencies presented concrete and achievable projects in the infrastructure 

and market areas that have been created and will be created in the future. 

During the final conference in Beijing participants discussed innovative ways of cooperation 

among international players and African states and institutions for furthering 

the integration of the Continent. These initiatives were designed to make possible the 

backing and the development of those projects whose size and political complexity need 

a wide international, continental and regional contribution to move forward. 

After these conferences on Africa, the Foundation for World Wide Cooperation has continued 

to promote debates on themes concerning the fight against poverty, peace, and 

human rights. Following the interest of the Foundation for the future of Africa, a major conference 

of the Donors for the Revitalisation of Lake Chad was organized in 2014. 

6

With the conference on Poverty Alleviation we assessed the results of new technology-based 

poverty alleviation projects and explored the social and political effects 

of this technology. The large number of existing projects in this field shows the growing 

interest of international organizations and financial institutions in technology-based projects 

for poverty reduction. 

In partnership with the Autorità Portuale di Venezia and Nankai University, with the 

support of the Binhai New Area, and in cooperation with TWAI, Center For Mediterranean 

Area Studies and Università Ca’ Foscari, the Foundation for World Wide Cooperation organized 

a major conference in Venice on the so-called New Silk Roads, which is a Chinese 

initiative for the construction of colossal logistical routes between Europe and 

China, the “One Belt, One Road” scheme. 

The conference on Science Diplomacy promoted an international debate on how 

science can be employed as a diplomatic tool for contributing to peace among nations. 

Having relied on a number of real-world examples, the conference explored the role of 

science for the preservation and construction of international cooperation. 

Finally, the Foundation for World Wide Cooperation has paid particular attention to the 

role of Internet connectivity in promoting social inclusion and development, knowledge, 

and economic growth. As the world's primary means for enabling learning, delivering knowledge, 

providing health care, the Internet is moving from commercial service to public utility. 

However, 3 billion people have no connection. The next step should become for them a 

human right. This is why in October 2017, in collaboration with the Pontifical Academy of 

Sciences, a conference on Connectivity as a Human Right was organized in Rome. 

7

2010 

9

2010 

10

2010 

2010 Bologna 

Africa: Fifty-three Countries, One Union 

Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

SAIS Johns Hopkins University Bologna 

Salone del Podestà, Palazzo Re Enzo, 

Bologna, 21 May 2010 

Patronage: 

United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, 

African Union, European Commission 

PROgRAm 

Friday, 21 may 

09.00 AM Greetings from Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

09.15 AM Opening Remarks 

Romano Prodi, Chairman of the Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

Asha Rose migiro, UN Deputy Secretary-General 

Abdoulaye Wade, President of Senegal 

Thabo mbeki, Former President of South Africa 

maxwell mkwezalamba, Commissioner Economic Affairs, AU 

Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development, EC 

11.00 AM SESSION 1 / Creating a Political Environment for Stability, Security and Peace 

Chairs: 

Speakers: 

margaret Carey, UN Department of Peacekeeping 

Abdul mohammed, Darfur Dialogue and Consultation 

Thabo mbeki, Former President of South Africa 

michael A. Battle, US Ambassador to the African Union 

11

2010 

Discussants: 

Winrich Kühne, SAIS Johns Hopkins University Bologna Center 

Steve mcDonald, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 

El ghassim Wane, Acting Director for Peace and Security of the AU Commission 

12.30 AM “AfricaNews24”. An African all News Project presented by Euronews 

02.00 PM SESSION 2 / Economic Community Building for markets and Trade 

Chairs: 

Speaker: 

Discussants: 

michael Plummer, OECD and Johns Hopkins University, Bologna 

Joshua Setipa, Africa Expert WTO 

Abdelkader messahel, Minister of African and Maghreb Affairs, Algeria 

masuka godefroid mwenda Bantu munongo, Forum of Central Africa 

Bankole Adeoye, Chief of Staff & Coordinator for Partnerships and External Relations, Nepad 

03.30 PM SESSION 3 / Infrastructure and Investment: Energy, 

Transportation, Communication 

Chairs: 

Speakers: 

Discussants: 

Stefano manservisi, Director-General DG Development, EC 

mohamed Al-madani Al-Azhari, Secretary General, CEN-SAD 

Shantayanan Devarajan, Chief Economist 

Africa Regional Office, World Bank 

moussa Dosso, Minister, Ivory Coast 

John C. Anyanwu, Lead Research Economist, ADB 

Abdoulie Janneh, UN Economic Commission for Africa 

05.00 PM CONCLUDINg ROUND TABLE 

A Road Map: Towards African integration 

for Peace and Development – Announcement of follow-up conferences 

in Washington DC (2011) and Addis Ababa (2012) 

Chair: 

Romano Prodi, Chairman Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

Asha Rose migiro, UN Deputy Secretary General 

maxwell mkwezalamba, Commissioner Economic Affairs, AU 

Stefano manservisi, Director-General DG Development, EC 

michael A. Battle, US Ambassador to the African Union 

Zhan Shu, Ambassador at the Department of African Affairs, 

China Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

12

2010 

2010 Bologna 

Africa: Fifty-three Countries, One Union 

Introductory Speech 

Romano Prodi 

Abstract 

African states face great challenges to their stability and security. Although in the 

past years there has been considerable progress in achieving peace and economic 

growth, there is still no peace for many African people. Moreover, old and new 

threats continue to jeopardize political stability. This is particularly troubling because peace 

in the African continent affects not only the future of Africa, but the future of all of us. In 

response to these challenges, African leaders have built important common institutions. 

We have come a long way in the last few years and I acknowledge the enormous progress 

that has been made by the African Union and by the Regional Economic Communities. 

Thanks to the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), significant progress has 

been achieved in many fields, from conflict prevention to the deployment of peacekeeping 

missions and the development of long- term capacity. Nonetheless there is still significant 

room for improvement. Achieving this objective requires improved coordination and depends 

from the strengthening and deepening of the existing mechanisms. 

It has become very clear that only by overcoming the present political and economic 

fragmentation, Africa can move ahead towards further peace, development and prosperity. 

A lot of progress has been made, but the challenge is to move forward. My personal view 

is built on four principles: 

First, Africa does not need new continental institutions in order to achieve the benefits 

of integration. Instead, the focus should be on allowing existing institutions to develop 

and investing in their capacity building. 

13

2010 

Second, Africa should move forward on many fronts at once, rather than concentrating 

exclusively on a single policy area. Conflict management to create a secure and stable 

environment is important and yet by itself is not enough. 

Third, only the countries of Africa can ensure their own peaceful development. Nevertheless, 

a more integrated and coherent contribution from the developed countries and 

organizations also plays a vital role. On this point, we want to stress the necessity to move 

from a “foreign aid” model to more flexible relationships based on trade and investment 

in the private sector. 

Fourth, concrete progress is more important than abstract goals. This is not to deny 

the importance of great ambitions like peace and prosperity, but rather to insist that such 

ambitions are best achieved using benchmarks and targets that can make it easier to 

show measurable progress. 

Building on these four principles we suggest a limited and yet ambitious program for 

action. The goal is not to revolutionize the African experience. Only the Africans themselves 

can do that. Rather we hope to suggest areas where the experience of cooperation can 

take root and where early success can help momentum to build. We also suggest where 

we believe coordination among the developed countries and organizations is most likely 

and most productive, and where we believe it is least important to the success of African 

efforts overall. Indeed, most developed countries have a great responsibility for the current 

situation, having always dealt with African states on strictly bilateral basis, with no attention 

for any continental approach. Now it is the time to develop a more meaningful strategic 

relationship between the European Union, the United States, the United Nations, and 

emerging powers like China and India. 

14


15

2011 

2011 Washington DC 


The New Challenges 

Woodrow Wilson Center and the Johns Hopkins University 

Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 

Ronald Reagan and International Trade Center, Pavilion Room 

Washington DC, June 15-16, 2011 

PROgRAm 

4.30 PM Welcome and lntroduction 

Chair: 

Jane Harman, President and CEO, Woodrow Wilson Center 

for International Scholars 

Andrew gelfuso, Director of the Office for Trade Promotion, 

Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center 

Greetings 

Amina Salum Ali, Ambassador of the African Union to the United States 

Antonio de Lecea, Minister, Economic and Financial Affairs, 

Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America 

Opening Remarks 

Romano Prodi, President, Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

Susana malcorra, Under-Secretary-General, United Nations 

Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretarv, UN Economic Commission for Africa 

guijin Liu, Ambassador and Special Representative for African Affairs, 

People's Republic of China 

Keynote Address 

Chris Smith, Chairman, Africa Subcommittee 

in the House of Representatives 

H.E. Ngwazi Prof. Bingu wa mutharika, President of Malawi 

16

2011 

THURSDAy, 16 JUNE 

Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies SAIS, 

9.00 AM Welcome and Opening Remarks 

Jessica Einhorn, Dean, SAIS, Johns Hopkins University 

New Challenges 

Chair: 

Co-Chair: 


Jessica Einhorn, Dean, SAIS, Johns Hopkins University 

Johnnie Carson, Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, U5 State Department 

Zachary muburi-muita, Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union 

guijin Liu, Ambassador, Special Representative for African Affairs, 


Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice President, Africa Region, World Bank 

giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, Ambassador of ltaly to the US 

11.00 AM SESSION 1 

Peace, Security, Democracy 

Introduction 

Chair: 

Co-Chair: 

mary yates, Special Assistant to the President 

and Senior Director for Africa, National Security Council 

Susana malcorra, Under-Secretary-General, 

Department of Field Support, UN 

Framework on Security 

Victoria K. Holt, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of IO Affairs 

Framework on New Challenges 

Ahmed Haggag, Secretary-General of the African Society in Cairo 

Discussant 

margaret Carey, Director, Africa Division, Department of Peacekeeping, United Nations 

Koen Vervaeke, EU Special Representative to the African Union 

michael Battle, US Ambassador to the African Union 

17

2011 

2.00 PM SESSION 2 

Economic Development: Infrastructure and Trade 

Introduction 

Chair: 

Co-Chair: 

Joseph Atta-mensah, Director, Regional Integration, 

Infrastructure and Trade Division, UN Economic Commission for Africa 

Abebe Shimeles, Principal Research Economist, 

Research Department, African Development Bank 

Framework on lnfrastructural Development 

Peter Lewis, Director, African Studies, SAIS-Johns Hopkins 

Framework on Trade 

John Sewell, Senior Fellow, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 

William Krist, Senior Fellow, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars 

Discussant 

Ibrahima Dia, Ambassador and Coordinator, AUC-ADB-UNECA Joint Secretariat Office 

Valentine Sendanyove Rugwabiza, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization 

Xiaojie gu, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to Ethiopia 

4.30 PM Round Table and Concluding Remarks 

Moderator: 

Participants: 


michael Battle, US Ambassador to the African Union 

guijin Liu, Ambassador and Special Representative for African Affairs, 


Zachary muburi-muita, Head of the United Nations Office to the African Union 

Steve mcDonaId, Director, Africa Program, Woodrow Wilson Center 

Peter Lewis, Director, African Studies, SAIS-Johns Hopkins 

Jane Harman, President and CEO, Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars 

Valentina Sendanyove Rugwabiza, Deputy Director-General, World Trade Organization 

18

2011 

2011 Washington DC 




Romano Prodi 

Washington, 15 June 2011 

Abstract 

It is still a time of crisis for Africa. Unlike the past, however, this time of instability 

and conflicts is affecting mainly the Northern part of the Continent, an area that 

we used to consider stable and relatively peaceful. The call for more democratic 

institutions and for a fairer economic growth has started the so-called “Arab Spring”. 

Recent events in Northern Africa have shown something that we know very well: only 

democratic institutions can ensure long-term political stability. 

As the previous years showed, the African Union, with the contribution of the other 

Regional Economic Organizations, is an important tool for ensuring peace and security 

in the African context. In order to create a stable and secure environment at the national, 

regional, and continental levels, the role of these institutions in conflict prevention, 

active conflict management and conflict resolution is and will remain central. In 

spite of their limits and their weakness there is no alternative. Their potential strength 

is a landmark for the future of Africa. The objective is to exploit African organizations’ 

strengths in terms of their contribution to conflict prevention, mediation, and, in the 

case of the African Union of its capacity to act as the first response to larger-scale 

United Nations missions. Indeed the complexity and the necessities of peace operations 

imply that no single organization is capable by itself of confronting the numerous challenges 

that are emerging. 

19

2011 

The African Union will face two future problems. Firstly, with the disappearance of 

Gaddafi’s Libya, one of the main financial contributors of the African Union will likely 

disappear too. Secondly, we need to acknowledge that many African states mistrust the 

African Union and that they often condition their contribution to a more transparent administration. 

Transparency provides information for member states and international 

donors about what the African Union is doing. Improving transparency and accountability 

is therefore a key objective because it promotes trust, efficiency and effectiveness. Above 

all, transparency is also likely to generate additional resources. In such a situation, only 

a global and inclusive coordination of all international partners beyond bilateral relationships 

can ensure efficient spending and avoid the duplication of costs. 

All these elements combined make African integration a very difficult objective to 

achieve, especially in light of the current period of rebellions, secessions and civil wars. 

Nevertheless, we should not stop to favor further cooperation among African countries and 

we must continue to work on what at first may seem the utopia of African integration. 

20


21

2012 

2012 Addis Ababa 




SAIS - Johns Hopkins University 

Addis Ababa, May 3-4, 2012 

In collaboration with: African Union Commission, United Nations Economie 

Commission for Africa, United Nations Office to the African Union 

PROgRAm 

DAy 1: mAy 3 

Opening Ceremony 

African Union Headquarters, New Conference Center, Roosvelt Street, Addis Ababa 

4.30 PM Welcome & Opening Remarks 

Erastus mwencha, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission 

Abdoulie Janneh, Executive Secretary, UN Economic Commission for Africa 


5.00 PM Greetings 

Steve mcDonald, Director, Africa Program, 


Prof. David Throup, SAIS -Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC 

Plutarchos Sakellaris, Vice President, European Investment Bank 

5.15 PM Views from the World 

Amb. giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs 

Amb. gary Quince, EU Special Representative to the African Union 

Reuben E. Brigetv II, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, US State Dept. 

Amb. Liu guijin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of People's Republic of China 

6.00 PM Keynote Address 

meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of Ethiopia 

22

2012 

DAy 2: mAy 4 

Venue: UN Economic Commission for Africa, Menelik II Avenue, Addis Ababa 

9.30 AM Welcoming Remarks 

chaired by UN Economic Commission for Africa 

Steve mcDonald, Director, Africa Program, 


Prof. Winrich Kuhne, SAIS-Bologna Center, Johns Hopkins University 

Zachary muburi-muita, Special Representative of the UN SG to the AU, 

UN Office to the AU 

African Union Commissioner 

Ambassador Isabel Cristina de Azevedo Heyvaert, Embassy of Brazil 

Ambassador U. Kenan Ipek, Turkish Ambassador 

Ambassador Odd-Inge Kvalheim, African Union Partners Group 

10.45 AM SESSION 1: Peace, Security and Development 

Chair: 

Speakers: 

Discussants: 

Zachary muburi-muita, UN Office to the AU 

michael A. Battle, US Ambassador to African Union 

Dr. Kambudzi Admore mupoki, Secretary, Peace & Security Council of the African Union 

Amb. Olusegun Akinsanya, Director, Institute for Security Studies, Addis Ababa 

margaret Carey, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping 

Amb. Joseph Nsengimana, Ambassador of Rwanda 

Prof. Winrich Kühne, SAIS-Bologna Center, Johns Hopkins University 

12.15 AM SESSION 2: Infrastructure and Investment 

Chair: 

Co-Chair: 

Speakers: 

Joseph Atta-mensah, UN Economic Commission for Africa 

Andrew Roberts, Snr. Operations Officer 

for Regional lntegration, World Bank 

Plutarchos Sakellaris, Vice President, European Investment Bank 

Stefano Bologna, Managing Director, International Centre 

for Science and Technology, UNIDO 

Amb. Liu guijin, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs 

23

2012 

Discussants): 

Raja Jandhyala, Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID 

Peter Ondiege, Chìef Research Economist, African Development Bank 

Paolo gonella Pacchiotti, Snr. Director, Business Development ST Microelectronics 

3.00 PM SESSION 3: Trade and market Liberalization 

Chair: 

Co-Chair: 

Speakers: 

Discussants: 

African Union Commission 

David Throup, SAIS-Johns Hopkins University, Washington DC 

African Union Commission 

Raja Jandhyala, Deputy Assistant Administrator, USAID 

Stefano Bologna, UNIDO 

Amb. gary Quince, EU Special Representative to the African Union 

4.30 PM Round Table and Closing Remarks 

Participants: High representatives from AU, UN, US, EU, China, Brazil, Turkey, India, 

WWC Foundation, WW Center, SAIS-JHU, African regional organizations, 

WB, ADB, EBRD, EIB, WTO,UNIDO, etc. 

24

2012 

2012 Addis Ababa 




Romano Prodi 

Addis Ababa, May 3, 2012 

Abstract 

Peace is still fragile in the African continent. The hopes raised by the Arab Spring 

have not been fulfilled yet. Instability is affecting Libya, and Egypt is still struggling 

for a new political order. Moreover, open conflict in Syria is a matter of 

great concern not only for the security of the Middle East, but for the stability of the 

entire Mediterranean region. 

Old conflicts, like in Somalia, are still ongoing and they seem unlikely to be resolved in 

the near future. New conflicts, such as between Sudan and South Sudan, are now threatening 

to open new spirals of violence and instability at the local and regional levels. Additional preoccupations 

emerge from the increasing number of religious tensions all over Africa, which 

are exploited by terrorist organizations and sectarian groups. Today, more than ever, there is 

a need for a strong African Union, capable of acting as a neutral intermediary among the 

conflicting parties. While the AU has achieved many successes, it is still in need of help due 

to a variety of limits, such as inadequate financial resources. Every state, every institution 

and every international organization should help the African Union in achieving its goals. 

By keeping in mind that the problems of peace and security in the African continent 

are far from having been overcome, I would like to focus on a different but related issue: 

the role of infrastructure for the economic, political and social development of Africa 

and her populations. 

25

2012 

The present economic fragmentation of the Africa continent is unfavorable to sustained 

development. The creation of greater markets is a key element for the economic 

growth of Africa. This point has been recognized and endorsed in the January 2011 

African Union Summit, which has recommended the establishment of a Continental Free 

Trade Area in Africa. This is certainly good news because continental integration can 

strongly contribute to create more efficient markets, foster economic growth, and increase 

income and living conditions in Africa. 

Coordination is crucial if we want to avoid that donors and institutions focus on their 

own agendas, regardless of the real needs of African economic actors and populations. 

Hence, we need to create a more comprehensive and coordinated approach based on 

complementarities among states and development institutions. 

26


27

2013 

2013 Beijing 


Institute of West-Asian and African Studies 

of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences 

The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies 

of Johns Hopkins University 

The Wilson Center 


Beijing, October 24-25, 2013 

PROgRAm 

THURSDAy, OCTOBER 24, 2013 

4 PM Opening Ceremony / Beijing International Hotel Convention Center 

4.15 Opening Remarks 

Chairperson: yang guang, Director-General, Institute of West-Asian and African Studies (IWAAS) 

Speakers: Zhao Shengxuan, Vice-President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) 


and Special Envoy of the UN SG for the Sahel 

Zhou Pingjian, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China 

Erastus mwencha, Deputy Chairperson, African Union Commission 

José Costa Pereira, Head of the Pan-African Division 

of European External Action Service (EEAS) 

Cao Jiachang, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Commerce of China 

Alberto Bradanini, Italian Ambassador to China and Mongolia 

Liu guijin, Former Ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China 

maria Rendon-Labadan, USAID Counsellor, Beijing 

Winrich Kühne, SAIS Europe, Johns Hopkins University 

Fatima Harrak, President of the Council for the Development 

of Social Science Research in Africa 

6.20 PM Gala Dinner - hosted by Vice-President Zhao Shengxuan 

FRIDAy, OCTOBER 25, 2013 

9 AM Working Sessions / IWAAS Headquarters - Beijing 

28

2013 

9.00 AM Session 1 / Overview 

Chairperson: yang guang, Director-General, IWAAS 

Keynote Speaker: Romano Prodi, Chairman of the Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 


Speakers: Joseph Atta-mensah, Director, Office of Strategic Planning 

and Programme Management, UNECA 

José Costa Pereira, Head of the Pan-African Division of EEAS 

He Wenping, Snr. Research Fellow, IWAAS: Anti-Terrorism, 

External Intervention and African Security 

David Shinn, former US Ambassador, Professor at George Washington University 

10.15 AM Session 2 / Peace and Security in Africa 

Chairperson: Erastus mwencha, Deputy Chairperson, African Union 

Speakers: Dr. Njunga mulikita, Copperbelt University of Zambia: SADC’s Contribution 

to African Union Peace and Security Architecture - Issues and Challenges 

Li Xinfeng, Snr. Research Fellow, IWAAS: Promoting Peace and Development 

of North Sudan and South Sudan through China-US Cooperation 

Charles Onunaiju, International Department Director of People’s Daily of Nigeria: 

Consolidation of China-African Cooperation and Its Contribution to Peace 

and Security in Africa 

mohamed Salih, Deputy Rector of the International Institute of Social Studies, 

The Netherlands 

Li Zhibiao, Snr. Research Fellow, IWAAS: African Integration Facing the Double 

Challenges ofInternal Split and External Division 

Isaac Olawale Albert, Director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program of Ibadan 

University, Nigeria: China and the Mantra of “African Solution to African Problems” 

11.15 PM Session 3 / Infrastructure and Integration in Africa (Part 1) 

Chairperson: Amadou Niang, Director, MDG Center, West and Central Africa 

Speakers: yu Zhende, Deputy General Manager of the International Department, 

China State Construction Engineering Corporation: The Role of Infrastructure 

Inter-Connection in the African Integration Process 

maud Arnould, Advisor on Pan-African Issues to the EU Commissioner 

for Development Andris Piebalgs 

Adama Deen, Head of Transport Program, NEPAD 

Wang Chengan, Vice President of the Chinese Association for African Studies: Helping 

African Economic and Social Development by Supporting African Infrastructure Construction 

Khalid Ali El Amin, Associate Professor, Khartoum University: Transport 

Infrastructure and Development - Implications for Integration and Security in Africa 

Ding Zhengguo, Assistant General Manager, Sinohydro Group Ltd.: Intensifying 

Construction ofTransnational and Cross-Regional Infrastructure and Promoting 

Development of Shared Benefits 

29

2013 

Leben Nelson moro, Director of International Relations Department, Juba University: 

Connecting Landlocked South Sudan to International Markets - Opportunities and Challenges 

mohamed Saliha maiga, Director, INFET, Bamako 

2.00 PM Session 4 / Infrastructure and Integration in Africa (Part 2) 

Chairperson: 

Speakers: 

Zhang yongpeng, Snr. Research Fellow, IWAAS 

Liu Hongwu, Professor, Zhejiang Normal University: Experiences and Lessons 

of Chinese Infrastructure Construction Over the Past 30 Years and the Inspiration 

for China-Africa Cooperation 

Joseph Onjala, Snr. Research Fellow, Nairobi University: Transport Infrastructure 

Integration in Eastern Africa - Security Implications for the Indian Ocean Rim 

yao guimei, Snr. Research Fellow, IWAAS: China’s Participating Strategy 

for the Construction of Transnational Infrastructures in Africa 

Lucy Jane Corkin, Strategic Analyst, Rand Merchant Bank: Reconstructing Africa’s 

Regional Infrastructure: Challenges to Localization 

Huang Jianhui, Vice-President of the Research Institute of the State Development 

Bank: Ideas onthe State Development Bank’s Support to the Construction 

of Transnational and Cross-RegionalInfrastructures in Africa 

Songoyi manandi, Lecturer and Dean, Dodoma University, Tanzania: 

The Amazing Power ofnLanguage as an Infrastructural Element of Integration - 

The Case of Kiswahili Language in the East African Regional Integration 

Xu Weizhong, Snr. Research Fellow, China Institute for Contemporary International 

Relations Studies: Chinese Participation in the Transnational and Cross-Regional 

Infrastructure Projects in Africa - Opportunities and Challenges 

3.30 PM Session 5 / New Technology for Development 

Chairperson: 

Speakers: 

Zhang Zhongxiang, Professor, Shanghai Normal University 

Hamidou Boly, Coordinator of TEAM Africa 

Liang yijian, Associate Professor, Yunnan University: Analysis on the Roadmap 

of PromotingChina-Africa Development Cooperation in the Field of New Energies 

Andrea Cuomo, Executive Vice-President, STMicroelectronics 

ya’u yunusa Zakari, Executive Director, Center for Information Technology and Development, 

Nigeria: New Technologies and the Possibility of the African Decade for Development 

guo Ziqi, Vice President, StarTimes Group: The Role of Digital TV 

for African Development 

moi Hakim Dario Nyangamoi Lookolong, Honorary Director of the Association for Media 

Development in South Sudan: Financial Services Inclusion for the Un-Banked Republic of South Sudan 

Antoine Some, Director, Sahel Institute 

4.45 PM Concluding Round Table 

Chairperson: 



30

2013 

2013 Beijing 



Romano Prodi 

24 October 2013 

Abstract 

In 2010 we started in Bologna, and then we had a “walk” around the world. We 

touched some of the most important places for Africa’s growth and cooperation: 

Addis Ababa, where the headquarter of the African Union is located. Then, Washington 

DC and now Beijing, the capitals of the United States and China: two states that 

are not only deeply involved in African economics, but which have also great political 

responsibilities towards the African continent and its growing populations. Therefore, 

the different locations of the conferences were not chosen coincidentally, but reflected 

a particular approach towards the development of Africa. 

The main goal of the conference in Beijing is to discuss concrete project proposals, 

especially for those African regions, like Sahel, that have not gained, yet, from the recent 

growth of the continent. The title of the conference – Africa 54 Countries: One Union 

– has never changed, because we still believe that cooperation and even integration 

among African countries is one of the main conditions for a broad development of the 

continent. First of all, “54 Countries, One Union” means a physical union based on a 

common and modern infrastructure, which is a crucial element for the future growth of 

Africa. A variety of recent studies have shown that that poor state of roads, rails and 

harbors can add from 30 to 40% to the cost of goods traded among African countries. 

Infrastructure is an element that interests all economic sectors and all African states, 

thus requiring particular attention and cooperation among countries. Without an efficient 

31

2013 

and common infrastructure the economic gaps of Africa will never been overcome. The 

lack of energy infrastructure is the most relevant barrier towards growth and higher living 

standards for African populations. Indeed, two-thirds of Africans do not have regular 

access to electricity: something that I can describe only as a shocking statistics that reflects 

a grim reality. In the area of energy, the use of new technology has a great potential, 

in particular for small-scale solar energy projects at the community level. Solar 

energy can work effectively and quickly in areas where no grid is present because of a 

very low density of the population. The use of the new technology might be critical in 

other areas such as water sanitation, mass vaccination of cattle with portable kits, information 

systems for market access of agricultural goods; distant medical control for 

first aid therapies by non-medical personnel, and distant learning for communities with 

no access to schools and teachers. 

Apart from the problem of infrastructure, the title of the Conference Africa: 54 Countries, 

One Union means also economic integration. In particular, it means a real common 

African market. Most African economies are still too small to work as efficient markets. 

If African countries want to become makers of their own destiny, they need to cooperate 

among each other and not to be afraid of opening their markets to other African 

economies. A single African market is a pre-condition for continental growth. 

32


2014 

Bassin 

Du Lac Tchad 

Declaration 

De Bologne 

33

2014 

2014 

Bassin 

Du Lac Tchad 

Declaration 

De Bologne 

34

2014 

2014 Bologna - Rimini 

Conferenza dei donatori 

per la rivitalizzazione del Lago Ciad 

Bologna – Rimini; 4-5 aprile 2014 

2014 

Bassin 

Du Lac Tchad 

Declaration 

De Bologne 

PROgRAm 

DAy 1 / 4th April, 2014 

Opening Ceremony 

Venue: Sala Cappella Farnese – Bologna 

Chairman of the Occasion: 

Chairman of Summit of LCBC Heads of State and government 

Co-Chair and Maitre de Ceremonie: President Prodi 

15:30 Welcome Address by the Mayor of Bologna 

15.35 Statement of President Prodi 

15:50 Remarks by the Ambassador Armando Varricchio representing the Prime Minister 

15:55 Remarks by President Olusegun Obasanjo, Champion of Round Table Donor’s Conference 

16:00 Remarks by the Chairperon of the Africa Union Commission, mrs Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma 

16:05 Remarks by the Heads of Stateof Chad HE Idris Deby Itno 

and CAR, H E mrs Cathérine Samba-Panza 

16:50 Address by the Chairman, Africa Union, President of Mauritania 

H E mohammed Ould Abdel Aziz 

16:55 Remarks by the Chairman of the LCBC Summit of Heads of State, 

H E mr Issoufou mahamadou,President of the Republic of Niger 

END OF THE SESSION 

35

2014 

17:05 Press briefing by the Chairman of the LCBC Summit of Heads of State and government 

and President Prodi in the presence of LCBC’s Heads of Member States, 

the representative Italian Prime Minister, and the Round Table Conference Champions. 

20:30 Grand Hotel, Rimini 

Dinner – guests of honor: Hon. Lapo Pistelli, Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and 

H E mr Issoufou mahamadou President of the Republic of Niger. 

DAy 2 / 5th April, 2014 

Donors’ Conference 

Chairman of the Occasion: 

Chairman of Summit of LCBC Heads of State and government 

Co-Chair: President Prodi 

Venue Grand Hotel – Rimini 

8:30 Statement by Conference Champion and the Honorable Arba Hama Diallo 

9:10 Declaration by President, African Development Bank 

9:20 Documentary film on the Lake Chad 

9:35 Power Point Presentation 

9:45 Declaration by Development Partners and Donors 

14:30 Declaration by Development Partners and Donors (continued) 

16:00 Reading the Bologna Declaration by minister of Water Resources of Chad 

16:15 Vote of Thanks by minister of Water Resources of Nigeria 

16:20 Farewell Remarks by President Prodi 

16:30 Closing remarks by the President of Chad 

END OF SESSION 

36

2014 

2014 Bologna - Rimini 

Conferenza dei donatori 

per la rivitalizzazione del Lago Ciad 

Intervento 

Romano Prodi 

Bologna, 4 aprile 2014 

2014 

Bassin 

Du Lac Tchad 

Declaration 

De Bologne 

Abstract 

Si parla sempre più spesso da alcuni anni di “rinascimento africano” nel senso di una 

maggiore capacità dei paesi del continente a far fronte alle innumerevoli sfide a cui 

sono sottoposti. Penso che questa iniziativa e questa conferenza rappresenti una manifestazione 

forte, importante ed irreversibile di questo “rinascimento”. 

Sappiamo tutti che per motivi diversi il lago Ciad sta scomparendo. Negli ultimi 50 anni 

uno dei maggiori bacini di acqua dolce dell’Africa ha visto ridurre la propria superficie di quasi 

il 90%. Un danno enorme per l’equilibrio ambientale e per la vita di popolazioni sempre più 

numerose che vivono in zone desertiche. 

Se continueremo ad osservare il fenomeno senza reagire; a studiarne le caratteristiche 

senza affrontarne le cause climatiche e politiche; ad accusarci reciprocamente aspettando 

che qualcun altro intervenga al nostro posto senza assumere le nostre responsabilità, non potremo 

aspettarci altra conclusione che il prosciugamento definitivo di quello che resta del lago. 

Un disastro ecologico e umanitario di enormi proporzioni che non può essere evitato se non 

intervenendo oggi stesso, con coraggiose e straordinarie iniziative come intendono fare i Paesi 

più direttamente interessati, chiamandoci a sostenerli in tale azione. 

Sono anche molti anni che la società scientifica e operatori internazionali hanno illustrato 

diverse proposte di intervento, ciascuna delle quali ha avuto detrattori e sostenitori, e ciascuna 

delle quali è rimasta poi inapplicata in attesa di una decisone. 

37

2014 

Non posso tralasciare di fare qui un particolare riferimento al progetto Transaqua – a cui 

gli stessi attuali documenti progettuali della Commissione per il Bacino del lago Ciad si richiamano 

- che oltre un trentennio fa prospettava l’idea di una grandiosa infrastruttura multifunzionale 

capace di trasferire un volume considerevole di acqua dal fiume Congo al limitrofo 

lago Ciad. Concordo quindi con i Governi della Commissione del Bacino Lago Ciad sull’urgenza 

di intervenire e sulla formula adottata, la cui filosofia nel dare concreta attuazione ai lavori 

immediati e improcrastinabili per migliorare l’esistente con la contemporanea azione di approfondimento 

ed aggiornamento degli studi necessari per dare avvio alle opere idrauliche e 

strutturali che dovranno assicurare la soluzione definitiva del problema. 

Il programma deve dunque farsi carico di due tipi diversi di fattori. 

In primo luogo, deve essere fondato su aspetti tecnici quali la riorganizzazione dei sistemi 

produttivi e la manutenzione e riabilitazione degli attuali sistemi diirrigazione. 

In secondo luogo, deve affrontare questioni politiche come il potenziamento della governance 

locale e della cooperazione internazionale e il monitoraggio qualificato e permanente 

della situazione. 

Tutto ciò va in parallelo con la realizzazione delle indispensabili opere infrastrutturali: dighe 

e canali che riforniranno il bacino del lago Ciad di un flusso addizionale di acqua derivata dal 

fiume Ubangi che riuscirà a ristabilire i livelli idrici preesistenti. Tali opere forniranno inoltre 

energia da fonti rinnovabili e non inquinanti, fondamentale per contribuire allo sviluppo sostenibile 

della regione. 

Spetta adesso alla comunità internazionale di concorrere con generosità alla riuscita di 

questo progetto. Si tratta di dare un esempio che deve insegnare che anche i peggiori disastri 

ambientali, a cui in questo caso ha contribuito anche la mano dell’uomo, possono essere governati 

con interventi di lungo respiro e in cui vengano coinvolti tutti gli attori politici e sociali 

locali. Tali interventi devono essere volti a produrre benefici duraturi alle popolazioni e preservare 

anche la necessaria biodiversità, ristabilendo gli equilibri dell’ecosistema. 

Essi devono rafforzare allo stesso tempo la collaborazione fra i popoli e migliorare la convivenza 

pacifica. 

38


39

2015 

40

2015 

Poverty Alleviation 

A Role for Technology and Infrastructure? 

Oratorio del Gonfalone 

Roma, May 11, 2015 

PROgRAm 

09.30 Opening remarks: The Vision 

Chair: 

Romano Prodi 

Paolo gentiloni - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Italy 

Jason Pontin - President and Publisher of MIT Technology Review 

Cristina Russo - Director International R&D Cooperation, European Commission 

Keynote speech: 

Jin-yong Cai - Executive Vice President and CEO International Finance Corporation (IFC), World Bank 

11.15 SESSION 1 / HEALTH AND FOOD 

Chair: Rob Vos - FAO, Director Social Protection Division 

Co-Chair: Andrea Cuomo - President, 3SUN 

Introductory Speech: 

Rob Vos - FAO, Director Social Protection Division 

Contributions by: 

Alice Fanti - CEFA Onlus 

Jennifer Elisseeff - Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University 

Albert Farrugia - Kedrion 

Arrigo Pallotti - Professor of African Studies, University of Bologna 

José Costa Pereira - European External Action Service, European Commission 

michael Plummer - ENI Professor of International Economics, Paul H. Nitze School, 

Johns Hopkins University, Bologna Center 

massimo Ricottili - Professor of Economics, University of Bologna 

Summary and conclusion: 

Wu guobao - Division of poverty and Development Finance at the Rural Development 

Institute, Chinese Academy of Social Science 

12.15 SESSION 2 / ENERgy 

Chair: Ernesto Ciorra - Head of Innovation and Sustainability Direction ENEL 

Co-Chair: Vijay modi - The Earth Institute, Columbia University 


Vijay modi - The Earth Institute, Columbia University 


Andrea Cuomo - President, 3SUN 

giambattista De ghetto - Senior Vice President ENI Technical Assurance, 

Development Operations & Technology 

41

2015 

Faris Hasan - Director General, Opec Fund for International Development (OFID) 

Anne Houtman - Principle Adviser to DG Energy, European Commission 

Ahmed Hamdy - Director General, African Union Scientific, Technical, and Research 

Jean george malcor – CEO CGG 

Ernesto marcias - President Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) 

Ewa Wojkowska - Co-Founder and COO KOPERNIK 


Ernesto Ciorra - Head of Innovation and Sustainability Direction ENEL 

14.50 Afternoon Introductory Speech: 

Cardinal Peter Turkson - President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace 

Jeffrey Sachs - Director Earth Institute, Columbia University 

Nicholas Negroponte - Co-founder MediaLab, MIT 

15.40 SESSION 3 / CONNECTIVITy (COmmUNICATION AND LEARNINg) 

Chair: mo Ibrahim - President Mo Ibrahim Foundation 

Co-Chair: Nicholas Negroponte - Co-founder MediaLab, MIT 


mo Ibrahim - President Mo Ibrahim Foundation 


Vittorio Colao - CEO Vodafone (video message) 

mamadou Kaba Traoré - President of AUST (African University of Science & Technology, 

Abuja, Nigeria), Professor in Computer Science 

Bruce Krogh - Director of Carnegie Mellon University Rwanda 

Ludger Kühnhardt - Director, Center for European Integration Studies (ZEI), Bonn 

marcella Elvira Logli – Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Telecom italia 

Angelo Petrosillo – CEO Blackshape, CCO Sitael 

Shamas-ur-Rehman Toor - Islamic Development Bank 

Stefano Stangoni - Head of Global Banking & Transaction, Intesa Sanpaolo 


Didier Lombard - Former CEO France Telecom 

16.45 Round Table of Industry and Finance Leaders 

Chair: Jason Pontin - President and Publisher of MIT Technology Review 

Partecipants: 

mo Ibrahim - President Mo Ibrahim Foundation 

Jean george malcor – CEO CGG 

giovanna melandri - President Human Foundation, Social Impact Investment Taskforce G8 

Shamas-ur-Rehman Toor - Islamic Development Bank 

Stefano Stangoni - Head of Global Banking & Transaction, Intesa Sanpaolo 

17.45 Final Remarks: 

Ertharin Cousin - Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme 

Conclusion and Press Conference 

Romano Prodi 

42

2015 

Poverty Alleviation 

A Role for Technology and Infrastructure? 

Welcome Speech 

Romano Prodi 

Rome,10 May 2015 

Abstract 

The goal of the Conference is twofold: to assess the results of high-tech and simple 

technologies in the reduction of poverty and to explore the possibility of devising 

common strategies to fully exploit their opportunities. 

We are often told that poverty has been reduced. Doubtless, significant progress has 

been made in reducing extreme poverty. In absolute terms, the number of people living 

in extreme poverty fell from 1.9 billion in 1990 to less than one billion today. A variety 

of causes have contributed to poverty reduction in the last two decades: first, policies 

of governments and international organizations directly aimed to reduce the number of 

the poor; second, the return of peace and security in some regions previously ravaged 

by war and conflict. Despite undeniable improvements, we must not forget that one in 

five persons in developing regions still lives on less than 1.25 dollars per day and the 

perception of poverty has, actually, increased even in developed countries. Moreover, 

poverty reduction has been extremely uneven. Some areas, such as Eastern Asia and 

South-Eastern Asia, have succeeded in halving extreme poverty, while other regions like 

sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, have failed so far. 

The idea of this Conference originates in the belief that technology can make a real 

difference in the worldwide battle against poverty. In particular, we believe that improvements 

in poverty alleviation will not only be the outcome of political and economic 

policies, but also the result of technologies, especially those diffuse and decentralized 

43

2015 

technologies that can foster the economic and social inclusion of people who were previously 

excluded from markets and their societies. 

Although the use of a particular technology is an eminent political decision, tomorrow 

we will put politics aside and we will focus on the possibilities provided by available technology. 

Indeed, technology can be used in a variety of areas, from increasing agricultural 

productivity to the generation of cheap energy, from providing clean water to 

improving health. From this viewpoint, the rapid development of mobile phone in Africa 

is a case in point. A relatively cheap technology like the cell phone, with low maintenance 

cost, has helped the overall economic performance of many developing countries. 

Cell phones can be used for different purposes that make a real difference in the lives 

of the poor: they can be employed for medical reasons, for banking services, and for 

accessing agricultural commodity prices. The far-reaching consequences of mobile 

phone are evidence of the potentialities of technology in making a radical change in the 

lives of millions of people, especially of those individuals who live in rural areas where 

there is no adequate infrastructure.With this I do not mean to suggest that huge investments 

should not be directed toward the construction of national and regional infrastructure 

or, for example, toward the creation of power stations. But I believe that we 

must not underestimate that a real economic, social and political revolution can take 

place from “below”, because mobile phone is only one example of many technologies 

now available. 

We should not try to impose our models of economic growth on developing societies, 

but rather the starting point is to ensure ownership at the individual level. And diffuse 

and decentralized technology can help to empower people in their own social and economic 

growth. Strikingly, not only sophisticated technology can make a difference, but 

simple technology, too, can be applied effectively for fighting poverty. 

44


45

2016 

46

2016 

Along the Silk Roads 

International Conference 

The new Silk Road: 

Challenges and opportunities 

Venice, Giorgio Cini Foundation, 

July 10-11 2016 

PROgRAm 

SUNDAy, JULy 10 

16.00 Registration and Welcome 

Chair: 

Romano Prodi - President, Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

Zhao Jianguo - President, Standing Committee 

of Tianjin Binhai People’s Congress (Minister) 

Xue Jinwen - Chancellor, Nankai University (V. Minister) 

michele Bugliesi - Chancellor, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice 

Paola mar - Council Member for Tourism, City of Venice 

17.10 Institutional Presentations 

Shan Zefeng - Vice Governor, Tianjin Binhai 

Elisa De Berti - Regional Minister for Transport and Infrastructure 

Lu Wei - President, Tianjin Port (Minister) 

Paolo Costa - President, Venice Port Authority 

Signature of a cooperation Memorandum of understanding Binhai (Tianjin) and City of Venice 

Signature of a cooperation Memorandum of understanding Tianjin Port and Venice Port Authority 

18.00 Opening Remarks 

Chair: 

Romano Prodi – President, Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

Alain Baron - Head of the International Transport Sector (DG MOVE), European Commission 

Hossein malaek - Deputy Head for Foreign Policy Research Center (CSR) 

and Former Ambassador to China 

Tatiana Valovaya - Minister of Integration and Macroeconomics 

of the Eurasian Economic Commission 

Paolo gentiloni - Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs 

mONDAy, JULy 11TH 

09.30 PANEL 1: gENERAL gEOPOLITICAL SCENARIO 

Chair: Jia Qingguo - Director, School of International Studies Peking University 

giovanni Andornino - Vice President, Torino World Affairs Institute 

47

2016 

giorgio Cuscito - Limes 

Enrico Fardella - Professor, Peking University / CMAS 

Ashraf Jehangir Qazi - Pakistan Ambassador 

11.00 PANEL 2: EUROPEAN OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENgES 

Chair: Renzo Cavalieri - Professor, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice 

Danielle Elisseeff - Académie des sciences d'outre-mer, Paris 

Luigi gambardella - President of ChinaEU, Board Member Executive Board ETNO, 

European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association 

Andrea goldstein - CEO, Nomisma Bologna 

Alexander Van de Putte - Board Member, National Investment Corporation of the National 

Bank of Kazakhstan and Professor of Strategic Foresight, IE Business School, Madrid 

12.15 PANEL 3: ASIAN OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENgES 

Chair: Fu Jing - China Daily Brussels 

Huang Baifu - Representative, People’s Liberation Army 

Alistar Crooke - Security Specialist Middle East 

gao Jian - Vice Chairman of China One Road One Belt(OBOR) Research Center and Former 

Vice Governor of China Development Bank, Former Chairman of China Africa Fund 

mohsen Shariatinia - Senior Research Fellow, Center for Strategic Research, Teheran 

Niu Xinchun - Head of CICIR Delegation 

14.30 PANEL 4: OBOR NETWORKS 

Chair: Paolo Costa - President, Venice Port Authority 

mikhail goncharov - Adviser to the President of Russian Federation - 

JSC Russian Railways 

Hercules Haralambides - Professor, Erasmus School of Economics Rotterdam 

Robert Kredig - Advisor to the Executive Board, OBB Holding AG 

Olaf merk - Administrator Ports and Shipping, International Transport Forum (ITF) at OECD 

marco Pluijm - Innovator and Specialist Port and Coastal Infrastructure 

Lu Wei - President, Tianjin Port (Minister) 

16.00 Concluding Round Table 

Chair: David gosset - Founder, Euro-China Forum, CEIBS 

Shaukat Aziz - Former PM Pakistan 

Pat Cox - Former President, European Parliament - European Coordinator for the 

TEN-T Scandinavian-Mediterranean Corridor, European Commission 

Piero Fassino - President, CeSPI 

Kairat Kelimbetov - Governor, Astana International Financial Centre 

Enrico Letta - Former PM Italy 

17.30 Conclusion and Final Remarks 

Jörg Leichtfried - Austrian Minister for Transport, Innovation and Technology 

graziano Delrio - Italian Minister of Transport and Infrastructure 

Romano Prodi - President, Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

48

2016 

Along the Silk Roads 

International Conference 

The new Silk Road: Challenges and opportunities 


Romano Prodi 

July 10, 2016 

Abstract 

We live in a rapidly changing world in which important political and economic developments 

are at work. In such a changing context, Beijing has taken a new 

initiative for the construction of colossal logistical routes between Europe and 

China, the so-called New Silk Roads or more technically the “One Belt, One Road” scheme. 

In the words of President Xi Jinping, the main goal of the initiative is to “forge closer economic 

ties, deepen cooperation, and expand development in the Euro-Asia region”. The “One Belt, 

One Road” policy is a novelty with potentially far-reaching consequences. Indeed a new great 

economic and logistical integration is taking place between Asia and Europe. China has already 

invested in the New Silk Roads billions of dollars. And this huge amount of money is 

only the beginning of larger and larger financial investments. 

The interest of China and Europe in the Silk Roads are clear. Being the EU China’s biggest 

trading partner, logistical routes that improve economic integration between the Chinese industrial 

base and the European market is in the interests of both sides. With this transcontinental 

logistical routes China is also trying to develop industrial hubs in the interior of the country, such 

as continental and north-western China, sareas with a great economic potential but which are 

distant from the southern ports of Shanghai and Hong Kong. No doubt, these areas are likely to 

be the future engine of growth for the country. But the economic benefits of the initiative do not 

concern only China. Europe is very much interested in getting economically closer to China. 

49

2016 

The fact that many European countries have joined the newly created Asian Infrastructure Investment 

Bank (AIIB) and that even Britain, at the displeasure of Washington, joined it, clearly 

shows how much Europe cares about China as a trading partner. 

Italy may play a critical role in this framework, especially in relation to the sea route. Indeed 

the North-Adriatic Sea is the most convenient point for reaching through the maritime route 

the heart of continental Europe. However, in order to fully exploit the new opportunities a truly 

integrated logistical network system must be constructed in the North Adriatic Sea. Indeed, the 

different Italian logistical hubs need to cooperate among each other in order to create the necessary 

economies of scale. 

The initiative will enhance further economic integration between central Asia and Europe 

and will bring widespread regional benefits. Thus, many Asian and middle-Eastern countries 

are in the position to maximize their unique geographical position. With the right strategy their 

position can be transformed into an economic and political asset. 

But the New Silk Road is not only a logistical network intended to increase economic and 

cultural exchange between Asia and Europe: it is also a potential powerful political instrument, 

which can be used to foster cooperation at the international level. Such initiative is a great opportunity 

to positively reshape the economic and political order in Central Asia, the Middle East, 

and the Asian Pacific region by promoting a network of trade routes, political cooperation, and 

cultural exchange. From this viewpoint, China should contribute to create a cooperative environment 

where tensions among the different states involved in the network can be overcome. 

The weak point of the new Silk Roads initiative is that any country between Europe and China 

can block the policy. But what at first glance looks like a weakness, it may turn into a great political 

opportunity for Beijing and the international community more in general. Indeed, China 

can show to the world its “cooperative and constructive leadership”. 

50


51

2017 

52

2017 

High-level Conference on Science Diplomacy 

Bologna - May 9, 2017 

Sala degli Anziani, Piazza Maggiore 

PROgRAm 

10:00 AM Welcome greetings: 

Romano Prodi 

Concept note: 

Science Diplomacy in history 

From the Suez Canal to a Synchrotron in middle East 

Barbara Curli, Turin University 

Angela Liberatore, European Research Council 

Institutional speeches: 

Cristina Russo, DG Research and Innovation at the European Commission 

Costanza Farina, Director of UNESCO Office Amman 

michael g. Plummer, Director, Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe 

Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry, President, EMUNI 

12:00 AM Case studies: 

Anchorman Federico Rampini, La Repubblica US Bureau Chief 

1.SESAmE: A LARgE SCIENTIFIC INFRASTRUCTURE 

AS A TOOL FOR DIPLOmACy IN THE mIDDLE EAST 

Speakers: 

Chris Llewellyn-Smith, Director of Energy Research Oxford University 

President SESAME Council 

Abdelhamid El-Zoheiry, President of Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) 

Costanza Farina, Director of UNESCO Office Amman 

Jerneja Penca, Research fellow of Euro-Mediterranean University (EMUNI) 

53

2017 

2. CLASHES IN EPIDEmICS (SARS, EBOLA, ZIKA …) 

Speakers: 

giuseppe Ippolito, Scientific Director of Spallanzani Institute – Rome 

Jacquineau Azetsop, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences – Pontifical Gregorian 

University 

David Heymann, Expert World Health Organization (VIDEO) 

Sergio Venturi, Assessor of Healthcare system in the Region of Emilia- Romagna 

Andrea Cuomo, Chairman 3sun 

3. CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS VS VALUES IN FIgHTINg CLImATE CHANgE 

Speakers: 

Andrea Tilche, Head of Unit - DG Research & Innovation - Climate Action 

and Earth Observation of European Commission 

Irving mintzer, Professor of Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International 

Studies – Washington, DC 

Vincenzo Balzani, Emeritus Professor at the University of Bologna 

matteo mura, Co-Director Global MBA in Green Energy and Sustainable Businesses, 

Bologna Business School 

Carlo Carraro, Director International Center for Climate Governance 

4.THE IRAN NUCLEAR DEAL 

Speakers: 

Cristina Russo, DG Research and Innovation at the European Commission 

Adnan Tabatabai, CEO of Center for Applied Research in Parntership with the Orient 

Sanam Vakil, Adjunct Professor of Middle East Studies Johns Hopkins University 

SAIS Europe 

Seyed Hossein mousavian, Associate Research Scholar Princeton University 

5:00 PM Concluding Remarks: 

Paolo gentiloni, Italian Prime Minister (to be confirmed) 

Romano Prodi, President Foundation for World Wide Cooperation 

With the Cooperation of 

European Commission, 

Unesco, 

Pontifical Academy, 

Euro-mediterranean University, 

Johns Hopkins University SAIS Europe, 

mIT Technology Review IT, 

Nomisma, 

Bologna Business School, 

World Health Organization 

54

2017 

High-level Conference on Science Diplomacy 


Romano Prodi 

Bologna - May 9, 2017 

Abstract 

In recent years policies like economic diplomacy, cultural diplomacy, and public diplomacy 

have become increasingly important in international relations. One additional 

and emerging reality is science diplomacy, which stresses the potentially 

positive connection between scientific research and the conduct of foreign affairs. There 

are many ways to conceive the relationship between these two different activities. Traditionally, 

given their different orientations toward ultimate goals science and diplomacy 

have been described as two opposite worlds and activities. On the one hand, scientists 

seek objective knowledge through valid descriptive and explanatory inference, based 

on public procedures. On the other hand, diplomats are the political representatives of 

a particular state. As such, diplomats try to promote the national interest of their countries 

through a variety of means such as persuasion, negotiation, and, above all, compromise. 

The main goal of diplomacy is, indeed, the promotion of the national interest 

by peaceful means. It is commonplace to say that the different orientations of science 

and diplomacy make these activities not only separate, but hostile to each other, since 

the promotion of the national interest may contradict what scientific research would 

suggest to do. Yet, as recent examples show, science and diplomacy are also positively 

connected. 

Firstly, science can provide advice to inform and support foreign policy objectives 

like in the very important issue of climate change. As we shall see today, the “shuttle 

55

2017 

diplomacy” of French Foreign Minister Laurant Fabius was crucial in helping to steer 

the difficult UN climate negotiations to a positive conclusion in Paris in December 2015. 

Secondly, diplomacy can facilitate international scientific cooperation among researchers 

from different countries for the good of the entire world community. In this area, 

the EU is doing a very important work and today we will have the opportunity of hearing 

about the results of this activity. 

Thirdly and most importantly, scientific cooperation can improve both relations among 

nations and foster peace and stability within a particular society. Indeed, being science 

a non-ideological and non-religious exchange of ideas between researchers, regardless 

of their cultural, national or religious backgrounds, it can have an especially positive 

role in those societies where there is ideological, political and religious fragmentation. 

Although scientific research has been often an instrument of great power competition 

and even of war, scientific cooperation can be also a factor of peace. In this sense, 

science can be employed as a diplomatic tool and scientists can perform a significant 

diplomatic role for peace and stability in the world. Indeed, scientists’ expertise can be 

fruitfully employed to overcome conflict and foster cooperation among nations. In so 

doing, scientists have a great responsibility, since they do not only try to achieve human 

progress through scientific discoveries and the accumulation of knowledge, but they 

can also be a factor of international and regional cooperation. 

As we shall see during the Conference, science diplomacy can assume different forms 

and concern a variety of areas. It may be bilateral and multilateral; it may be employed 

by states or by non-state actors such as international institutions or non-governmental 

organizations. 

Relying on a number of real-world examples, such as the successful negotiation on 

Iran’s nuclear program and the Sesame project, this Conference aims to explore the role 

of science for the preservation of international, regional and domestic peace. 

56


57

2017 

Internet Connectivity as a Human Right 

Rome, 10 October 2017 

Pontifical Academy of Sciences 

PROgRAm 

TUESDAy, OCTOBER 10 

Welcome 

9.00 Joachim von Braun, President of the Pontificial Academy of Sciences 

9.05 H.E.msgr. marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, Chancellor of the President PontificialAcademy 

of Sciences 

Introduction 

Moderator: Joachim von Braun 

9.10 Romano Prodi | The Right to Connectivity 

9:35 Nicholas Negroponte | Worldwide Free Internet through a Global Public Sector 

10:00 Jeffrey Sachs | Why Connectivity is Vital for the Sustainable Development Goals 

10:25 Phumzille mlambo-Ngcuka | Women's Rights are Connected Rights 

Human rights doctrine in Telecommunications 

Moderator: Alessandro Ovi 

11:05 Ronald Daniels | Introduction 

11:30 gianni magazzeni | UN Decisions and Proposals 

Free Versus Affordable / Public Sector, Telcos 

11:55 Denis O'Brien | The Role of Silicon Valley in the Development of Broadband 

in the Developing World 

12:20 Roberto Viola | Connecting Europe 

Direct and derivative benefits 

Moderator: Antonio M. Battro 

12:45 miguel Brechner | Connecting Students, Teachers and the Elderly 

13:10 matt Keller | Global Learning 

15:00 General Discussion | Discussant: molly Buhrans 

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Health and job Creation 

15:15 Joachim von Braun | Connectivity for All in Rural Areas - Improving Agriculture, 

Food Security and Employment 

15:40 máximo Torero | The World Bank's Experience with Connectivity 

16:05 gisella Finocchiaro | Fondazione del Monte, Research and Proposals 

16:30 General Discussion | Discussant: Tara Ramanathan 

Technical means, methods and global advocacy 

Moderator: Roberto Viola 

Orbital and Terrestrial 

17:00 yael mcguire | Creating a World of Opportunities 

17:25 michael Lubin | We Know the Why and Have the How. Now Who? 

17:50 Valeria Termini | The Role of Energy Regulators 

global Advocacy 

18:15 Stefano Quintarelli | Radical Digital Change 

18:40 General Discussion | Discussant: Dominique Lambert 

18:55 Crafting a Final Statement | Moderator: matt Keller 

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2017 

Internet Connectivity as a Human Right 

Rome, 10 October 2017 

Pontifical Academy of Sciences 

Abstract 

After the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United 

Nations in 1948, human rights have become a prominent issue in the agenda 

of many international institutions, such as the United Nations and the European 

Union, of NGOs, and in the foreign policy of some states. 

The right to life, freedom from torture and slavery, freedom of thought, speech and religion 

are some of the most important human rights. However, there is also a set of rights whose 

status is still in dispute. Among these debated rights the idea that connectivity is a fundamental 

human right is emerging. According to some analysts and commentators, connectivity is an 

instrument, and not a human right itself. Being Internet a technology, like the phone for example, 

these critics argue that connectivity cannot be considered as a human right. However, as 

I will try to show, connectivity is not a simple tool because when something becomes a necessary 

instrument for realizing human rights, then it becomes a full human right in itself. 

Connectivity can also increase people’s access to education, health, and financial services. 

As Nicholas Negroponte has strongly argued, by offering access to other people, connectivity 

is a ‘fundamental part of learning’, especially for ‘those who haven’t schools, those who have 

to do their learning on their own’. No doubt, connectivity is crucial for education in the digital 

age. Actually, we can say that “a school without connectivity is not a school for the twentyfirst 

century” and that all students and teachers have the right to be connected. And for those 

who are disabled connectivity is a life changer. The same applies for continued education, in 

particular for senior elders, who are mostly excluded from digital resources. 

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2017 

Connectivity can be also used for health activities. As the world’s primary means of enabling 

learning, delivering knowledge, providing health care, enhancing agriculture, saving 

the environment, creating jobs, and understanding each other, the Internet has moved from 

a commercial service to an essential instrument for expressing all human potentialities 

both as individuals and as members of society. While in the past connectivity was a privilege, 

it has now become a full human right. Internet access to those to whom it’s currently 

unavailable is therefore a priority that the international community must address. A world 

more connected and open, it’s a richer, more equitable and better world. Although great 

progress has been achieved in terms of number of Internet users, billions of people in the 

world still lack connectivity. Today, approximately 4 billion people are connected to the Internet, 

which means that more than three billion people are not connected. In other words, 

the world is now divided between those who are connected to the NET and those who 

aren’t. Moreover, the rate of development of a country or a community is strictly linked to 

the level of connectivity. Empirical evidence – coming both from developed and, especially, 

developing countries – show the correlation between economic growth and web access. 

Therefore, the iniquity in the access to the Internet is today unacceptable. And we have 

the moral obligation to respond immediately to the current situation and, in doing so, empower 

millions of people who are still denied of this basic human right. 

The question, then, is how to guarantee the conditions for access to people who live 

in remote areas of the world or in countries where Internet is limited and controlled. 

This is one of those important issues that we must discuss today. The good news is that 

the cost to connect every human being worldwide is less than 0.1% of global military 

expenditures. Surely, this is a small price to pay to elevate world society, to reduce ignorance, 

alleviate poverty, share basic knowledge, and work towards world peace by 

better understanding each other. 

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2017 

Inernet Connectivity as a Human Right 

Final statement from 

the Conference held in Rome 

(October 10, 2017) 

1. It is the responsibility of governments and civil society to choose the appropriate 

instruments to achieve this objective. This is the case for primary health care, public 

education, the rule of law, police and defense. According to Aristotle, logos is what characterizes 

a human being and his or her dignity. Today, without connectivity we do not 

have a complete logos. This is why we must consider connectivity as part of human dignity 

and human rights. 

The Internet is now moving from commercial service to public utility, but over three billion 

people still have no connection. Connecting those three billion represents challenging 

legal issues that include privacy and licensing among others, and represent possible 

roadblocks to universal access which must be tackled. 

2. In order to concretely realize a connected world where digital abundance is shared 

by all, UN agencies through the appropriate lSDGs (and particularly the UN High Commission 

on Human Rights and UN Women) and other multi-lateral institutions should adopt connectivity 

as a priority, and should be strongly supported to do so by member states. In addition, 

every possible political means should be pursued in order to guarantee access in all nations, 

with the understanding that implementation will not be easy. Given the possible but challenging 

implementation work, we should consider measures such as a new institutional 

design hosted in a UN agency, or a new agency, The World Connectivity Organization, 

(WCO) whose main goal should be deploy and operate global connectivity. 

3. It is necessary to reaffirm the role of the Internet as the primary means to enable 

inclusion, efficiency and promote innovation in different economic sectors as such as 

healthcare, agriculture, the environment, jobs, gender equity, and mutual understanding. 

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2017 

Nevertheless, as Pope Francis recently declared 1 , we have to keep our eyes open and 

not hide an unpleasant truth that we would rather not see. In fact, the net also has a secret 

dimension (the “dark net”), where evil finds ever new, effective and pervasive ways 

to act and to expand. 

4. Education, is the clearest example that the internet is a human right. Even in the 

21th century, hundreds of millions of children have no access to school or leave school 

unable to read. With internet connectivity, they could improve learning capacity. This is 

of vital importance for the poorest children of the planet. 

5. The internet was built by science and has huge benefits for and deep influence on 

globally connected science communities. Now it is urgent that strong and responsible 

science engages in the dual agenda to help improve internet connectivity and content. 

The science community should contribute to facilitate connectivity for all, and at the 

same time support efforts to end the problems of internet content that is violating human 

dignity. 

6. The cost of connecting every human being around the world is well below 0.1% 

of what we currently spend on military expenditures worldwide. This is a small price to 

pay for improving entire societies, eliminating ignorance, alleviating poverty, sharing 

basic knowledge and working toward a just and a lasting peace. 

7. These are the simple reasons why we think that Internet Connectivity must be 

considered a human right. 

Initiating a new agency, The World Connectivity Organization, (WCO), whose main 

goal should be to deploy and operate global connectivity, would represent the 

most direct solution to move forward. 

1 Cfr.Address of His Holiness Pope Francis to the Participants in the Congress on "Child Dignity in the Digital World", 

6 October 2017 http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2017/october/documents/papa-francesco_20171006_congresso-childdignity-digitalworld.html 

63

Finito di stampare in Agosto 2018 

dalla Tipografia A.G. di Baldazzi Gian Luca & C. 

Via Primo Maggio, 35 / 40050 Quarto Inferiore (BOLOGNA)

Congressi 2009-2018

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