Anti-Racism Week 2026

On the occasion of the upcoming Anti-Racism Week to be held from 23 to 29 March 2026, the Equal Opportunities Service and the International Relations and Study Abroad Service USI with the Gender and Diversity Service of SUPSI, is proposing the project “Beyond the eyes. Stories of work from racism to inclusion.”

“Oltre lo sguardo” is a multidisciplinary project that addresses the issue of racism in the workplace, using scientific, educational, cinematographic, and literary tools. The title sums up the essence of the initiative: an invitation to look beyond superficial perceptions of others in order to grasp their complexity and humanity.

The initiative involves the academic communities of USI and SUPSI offering tools for analysis and reflection on the dynamics of racism and racism in the workplace. At the same time, the proposed activities will also be open to the general public.

Please note that in Ticino, if you have been a victim of or witnessed an incident of racism, you can report it to the Centre for the Prevention of Discrimination (CPD) by calling 0800 194 800, sending an email to [email protected], or visiting the centre in person. The centre offers a free listening and advisory service, which can also be used anonymously. All information is available on the website discriminazione.ch.

Below is the program of activities proposed by USI and SUPSI, which you can sign up for via the following LINK: REGISTER

1. Open lectures: classes to raise awareness of the issue of racism integrated into USI's regular study programs:

• Black Rainbow. Teju Cole and the Art of Comparison (it)
  Monday, March 23, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., A24 Palazzo Rosso, USI Lugano
  Prof. Marco Maggi, Comparative Literature I course
• Title: Perceiving and Representing the Other. Diversity as a Matrix of Racism and Discrimination (it)
  Wednesday, March 25, 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., A33, Palazzo Rosso, USI Lugano
  Prof. Vincenzo Matera, Social History of Culture course
• Racism as a form of exclusion (en)
  Thursday, March 26, 9:00–10:30 a.m., A21 Palazzo Rosso, USI Lugano
  Prof. Jolanta Drzewiecka, Intercultural Communication course
   

2. Film screening “The prodigious transformation of the working class into foreigners” by Samir Jamal al Din (2024). Event in collaboration with the Human Rights Film Festival Lugano
Tuesday, March 24, 5:30 p.m., Auditorium, Main Building, USI Lugano

The film, presented in Italian with English subtitles, will be followed by an open discussion with the participation of Vega Tescari (Lecturer, Academy of Architecture, Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society, USI) and Spartaco Greppi (Professor at SUPSI, currently involved in basic and continuing education at DEASS).

An aperitif will be offered at the end of the event.

3. Reading corners
From Monday, March 23 to Friday, March 27, reading corners with titles and literary suggestions on the theme of racism will be available at the following USI and SUPSI university libraries:

• Lugano University Library, Lugano
• Library of the Academy of Architecture, Mendrisio
• BiblioAgorà, USI-SUPSI Library, East Campus, Sector A, Lugano-Viganello
• Library of the Department of Education and Learning / SUPSI University of Teacher Education (DFA/ASP), Locarno
• Library of the Department of Business, Health, and Social Sciences SUPSI (DEASS) - Business and Social Work Area, Manno
• Library of the Department of Business, Health, and Social Sciences SUPSI (DEASS) - Health Area, Manno
• Library and Material Library of the Department of Environment, Construction, and Design SUPSI (DACD), Mendrisio

During the Cantonal Week Against Racism, you can take part in numerous other events organised by local organisations and associations. All initiatives can be viewed on the website of the Service for the Integration of Foreigners of the Canton of Ticino: SCR2026.