Marisa Garzoni appointed Honorary Member of USI

On the occasion of USI's 30th Dies academicus, Marisa Garzoni has been appointed Honorary Member of Università della Svizzera italiana "for her steadfast, hospitable, and dedicated generosity, which has enabled USI to organise conferences, events, courses, and research projects aimed at fostering peace and cross-cultural understanding."

Laudatio for Marisa Garzoni
Professor Gabriele Balbi
Faculty of Communication, Culture and Society

Check against dlivery

Marisa Garzoni's longstanding dedication to Università della Svizzera italiana first took root in her shared vision for the Institute of Mediterranean Studies, founded by Vittorio Dan Segre in 1997.

She has generously supported all our projects—even the most visionary and ambitious—always with discretion and elegance. Over the years, she has supported numerous activities through to the Middle East Mediterranean Summit (MEM), motivated by a profound belief in the importance of investing energy and resources into initiatives that foster dialogue, inclusion, the understanding of diversity, and diplomacy in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and beyond.

Today, just as she did thirty years ago, she remains the first to embrace—with both enthusiasm and foresight—the challenges that our complex world presents to the University.

Through her support, she has played a pivotal role in establishing the University as a leading centre for intellectual exchange, where the sharing of knowledge serves to foster dialogue and build a culture of peace.

Università della Svizzera italiana confers the title of Honorary Member upon Marisa Garzoni "for her steadfast, hospitable, and dedicated generosity, which has enabled USI to organise conferences, events, courses, and research projects aimed at fostering peace and cross-cultural understanding."