MEM Summit

It was an honour to be invited by Ambassador Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart, Swiss Special Envoy to MENA, to participate as an expert panelist and co-facilitate a workshop on diplomacy and mediation in the Middle East at the 7th annual MEM Summit in Switzerland last week. The MEM Summit is dedicated to fostering understanding and collaboration across the Mediterranean and Middle East. This year's platform fostered dialogue on the current complex challenges impacting individuals and nations in the Middle East amidst growing regional tensions, facilitating important discussions between young change-makers from across the MEM region. Ladina Lange Mae Anna Chokr Adnan Tabatabai Sina Winkel Antoine Laham Federica Frediani

Just a few days after the conclusion of the MEM Summit 2024, I am proud to say that MEM has once again proven to be a safe space where participants have had the opportunity to meet, get to know each other, and exchange ideas. Realities like MEM demonstrate the importance of continuing dialogue and finding the courage not to surrender to fear, violence, and the irresistible temptation to polarize the debate around conflicts. Meeting as individuals, sharing our stories, and recognizing the humanity and uniqueness of each person has helped us build a climate of trust and cultivate dialogue, even in such challenging times. I want to express my gratitude to everyone, especially the participants and MEM Alumni, who took up the challenge and embraced this opportunity. In listening to you, I have learned a lot. I also want to thank all those who supported me in this complex edition of MEM, which at several moments seemed almost impossible to realize.

We are delighted to share highlights from the launch of the 7th edition of the MEM Summit Forum, which took place yesterday (November 8, 2024), at the USI Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). The day marked an inspiring start, filled with meaningful dialogue and concrete insights. Our heartfelt thanks to USI and the City of Lugano for their warm hospitality in hosting this important event. The afternoon began with welcome and opening addresses by: Luisa Lambertini, Rector, Università della Svizzera italiana Raoul Ghisletta, Member of the City Council of Lugano, Switzerland Marina Carobbio, Head of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport, Ticino State Council This was followed by an engaging panel discussion with Swiss Ambassadors in the MENA Region, moderated by Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart, Special Envoy for the MENA region, featuring: Roberto Balzaretti Swiss Ambassador to France Florence Tinguely Mattli Mattli, Swiss Ambassador to Qatar Thomas Oertle Swiss Ambassador to Oman Monika Schmutz Kirgöz, Swiss Ambassador to Italy and future Head of the MENA Division The evening featured impactful keynote speeches. We were honored to have H.E. Ignazio Cassis, Federal Councillor, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, join us in person, whose esteemed presence greatly enriched the event and underscored the significance of the topic of mediation. The session was further enhanced by a thoughtful video message from H.E. Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater, Minister of State for International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, which brought valuable perspectives to the discussion. Switzerland’s commitment to mediation, a cornerstone of its renowned good offices and foreign policy, was at the heart of this event. Mediation, as a pathway to peace, reflects Switzerland’s dedication to supporting negotiations and professionalizing mediation efforts in partnership with the international community. We express our gratitude to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA (DFAE) for their partnership in organizing this inspiring panel, where MEM changemakers had the invaluable opportunity to learn from and engage with experienced Swiss diplomats. #MEMSummitForum #Diplomacy #Mediation #USI #Lugano #Switzerland #dialogue

From November 4 to 9, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) will organize the seventh edition of the Middle East Mediterranean (MEM) Summit; an opportunity for dialogue and meeting for selected young participants, but also for a broader audience. The event will be structured in a Seminar (4-8 November) reserved for selected young participants and a Forum open to the public (8-9 November) The seventh edition, supported by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and SRG SSR - RSI as media partner, takes place at a particularly critical time for the region. The central theme of the Summit will be dialogue and methods to promote it even in times of crisis. Experts, academics, and diplomats will accompany the youth, the main protagonists of the MEM Summit, on this journey. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Radiotelevisione Svizzera (RSI), USI Università della Svizzera italiana, Federica Frediani For more information 👇

I recently had the honour of being invited to attend the “Dialogue(s) in the Middle East Mediterranean Region” workshop in Nicosia, Cyprus, as part of the MEM Summit initiative in collaboration with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA. The workshop gathered delegates from across the Middle East and Mediterranean region to discuss prospects for positive cross-cultural engagement amidst escalating regional insecurity and uncertainty. Together, we grappled with the vital question: “How can we sustain meaningful dialogue during challenging times”, with discussions led and informed by experts in diplomacy and negotiation, including Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart (Swiss Special Envoy to the MENA region) and Menelaos Menelaou (Republic of Cyprus’ lead negotiator on the Cyprus Problem). This workshop proved a powerful reminder of our shared humanity and the potential for collaboration, even among those often seen as adversaries. By focusing on empathy and understanding, we explored how to cultivate a common language that transcends borders and identities, even in times of war and conflict.

Last weekend, I had the honor of facilitating the “Dialogue(s) in the Middle East Mediterranean Region” workshop as part of the MEM Summit where I have been actively involved for the past three years. The event brought together young leaders from the Middle East and Mediterranean region, fostering dialogue within our complex reality. Our aim was to establish key principles for meaningful communication among both MEM alumni and new participants. The sessions emphasized the importance of open and honest dialogue, focusing on how listening and human interactions can have a transformative impact, as highlighted in the event. The workshop also reminded us of the power of communication to foster understanding and positive change, even during challenging times. I’m proud to be part of this impactful initiative, and I’m excited for the challenges and opportunities ahead. (I chose to include only my photo out of respect for the privacy and confidentiality of the other participants). USI Università della Svizzera italiana Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA Federica Frediani Wolfgang Amadeus Brülhart Menelaos Menelaou

Once again, the MEM Summit will be organized by the Università della Svizzera italiana (USI). The university's strong tradition of supporting international cooperation provides a solid basis for our ongoing dialogue on global issues.

"The MEM is a safe space where we get to know each other's stories and therefore become a part of them." — Boutheina, Tunisia. 90% of the world’s youth now live in low-middle income countries. Despite this, a growing number of young people are active in their communities, proposing innovative solutions, fostering progress, and facilitating inclusive change across borders and national identities. This is why #MEM offers a secure place for dialogue and reflection on ideas with respect for others. Every year, the #MEM Summit sees an increasing number of applications, a testament to the youth's eagerness to be part of this transformative experience. So far, around 500 young change-makers have been selected to participate in the Summit.

The MEM Summit was part of Diplomacy Day 2024 in Locarno, hosted by the Locarno Film Festival. The event featured prominent guests, including the Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, and the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani. This invitation underlines our commitment to dialogue in today’s challenging global landscape. We were also honored to attend the Open Doors project, a program dedicated to the development of film productions from underrepresented communities worldwide, introduced by Patricia Danzi Director General at Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

There are only a few countries in the world that can offer a high degree of credibility in peacebuilding and peace promotion like Switzerland. Thanks to its neutrality and a strong humanitarian tradition, Switzerland provides a fertile ground for hosting the MEM Summit, addressing critical topics such as dialogue and cultural mediation. With its proactive and dialogue-oriented approach, Switzerland sets the stage for meaningful discussions and transformative collaborations.