MEM Forum 2024, between dialogue and diplomacy for the future of the region

The MEM Forum 2024 at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) opened on Friday, 8 November, with a keynote speech on the value of diplomatic dialogue by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis. The event was followed by a snapshot featuring Rector Luisa Lambertini, 40 young change-makers and the five Swiss ambassadors to the MENA region.

On the opening day of the MEM Forum at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), institutional representatives, politicians, academics and young change-makers came together to address the main issues related to the vast region of the Mediterranean and the Middle East (from Morocco to Iran). The event marks the conclusion of the MEM Summit, in an encounter between dialogue and cooperation.

The evening was opened by Luisa Lambertini, Rector of USI, who welcomed the participants. Afterwards, Marina Carobbio Guscetti, State Councillor of the Canton of Ticino and Director of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS), and Raoul Ghisletta, Municipal Councillor of the City of Lugano and Head of Dicastero immobili, took the floor.

The event then continued with the panel "Meet the Swiss Ambassadors in the MENA region", moderated by Ambassador Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart (Special Envoy for the MENA region), which offered an opportunity to hear the testimonies of Swiss ambassadors in the MEM region: Roberto Balzaretti (Swiss Ambassador to France), Thomas Oertle (Swiss Ambassador to Oman and Yemen), Monica Schmutz Kirgöz (Swiss Ambassador to Italy and future head of the MENA Division) and Florence Tinguely Mattli (Swiss Ambassador to Qatar).

The evening was enhanced by a keynote speech from Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, in which he emphasized the importance of diplomacy and dialogue as essential tools for fostering stable relationships. At the conclusion of his remarks, Cassis posed for a photo with USI Rector Luisa Lambertini, along with 40 young change-makers and five Swiss ambassadors in attendance.