The 42nd edition of the Ventotene International Federalist Seminar began on August 30, 2026, in the council chamber of the Ventotene Town Hall.
The Altiero Spinelli Institute organized this annual seminar—running until September 4—under the patronage of the Municipality of Ventotene and in collaboration with the Union of European Federalists (UEF) and the Young European Federalists (JEF).
Eight training sessions were held, attended by young people from all over the world, thanks in part to scholarships awarded by the World Federalist Movement (WFM) and the direct efforts of the Spinelli Institute.
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SUNDAY, AUGUST 30
Ventotene Municipal Council Chamber, Piazza Castello
5:00pm Inauguration of the 42th Ventotene International Seminar Introductory report by Stefano Spoltore, President of the Spinelli Institute.
Roundtable: “Which Europe for Today’s Challenges: Security, Social Equity, and the Role of the EU in the New International Framework” with the participation of Josep Borrell, former High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Sandro Gozi, MEP, Raquel Garcia Hermida Van der Walle, MEP, President of the Spinelli Group, Doménec Ruiz Devesa, former MEP 2019–2024, President of the Union of European Federalists (UEF), Andrea Wechsler, MEP and Anna Stolenberg, MEP.
MONDAY, AUGUST 31
09.30 – 10.30: A federal Europe in a world in crisi
Domènec Devesa, Lieven Taillie, Melanie Thut
10.30 – 11.30: Working groups
11.45 – 13.00: Debate
16.00 – 17.00: Visit to the tomb of Altiero Spinelli in the cemetery of Ventotene
17.00 – 18.00: What is federalism, and what is a Federal State?
Francesco Saraceno, Amanda Ribichini
18.00 – 19.00: Working groups
19.00 – 20.00: Debate
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 1
09.30 – 10.30: The reform of the European budget as a precondition for a Europe able to act.
Julia Preiss, Anna van de Moosdijk
10.30 – 11.30: Working groups
11.45 – 13.00: Debate
17.00 – 18.00: A European Foreign Policy and a European defense: to rebalance international relationships and grant our security.
Francesca Marini, Stefano Rossi
18.00 – 19.00: Working groups
19.00 – 20.00: Debate
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2
09.30 – 10.30: Democracy and peace under threat: the return of nationalism and the alternative of federalism.
Luca Lionello, Paola Zamboni
10.30 – 11.30: Working groups
11.45 – 13.00: Debate
17.00 – 18.00: A new phase of international disorder and confrontational globalization. The challenges ahead for Europe and the world.
Dafni Gogou, Nicola Vallinoto, Dvir Ezra
18.00 – 19.00: Working groups
19.00 – 20.00: Debate
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
09.30 – 10.45:The ecological transformation. Challenges and opportunities.
Chloé Fabre, Moritz Hergl
10.45 – 11.45: Working groups
12.00 – 13.00: Debate
17.00 – 18.15: A new enlargement for the EU: opportunities and challenges.
Christelle Savall, Antonio Argenziano
18.15 – 19.15: Working groups
19.15 – 20.00: Debate
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4
10.00 -12.30: The Federalist’s campaigns.
Mathilde Baudouin, Debora Striani
Final report by Jacopo Provera
At the conclusion of the final plenary session, seminarians from both the national and international editions gathered at the Monument to the Exiles for a moment of remembrance and brief reflection on the *confino* (internal exile), before proceeding in a procession to pay their respects at the graves of Altiero Spinelli and Luciano Bolis.
SERATE CULTURALI
The National Seminar in Ventotene was complemented by evening events organized with the Municipality of Ventotene in collaboration with the Ultima Spiaggia bookshop.
August 31 – 9:30 PM
“Utopia Europa” by Renato Chiocca. Screening and meeting with Renato Chiocca and Massimiliano Porcelli. A 6,000-kilometer bicycle journey—from Portugal to Greece—becomes a visual story dedicated to inclusion, culture, and social innovation. A project promoted by the Utopia 2000 cooperative.
September 2 – 9:30 PM
“La Roccia di Ventotene” (Einaudi) by Gianluca Passarelli. Meeting with the author. Moderated by Marina Lalovic, RAINews24 journalist and 2025 “Spinelli” Prize winner.
September 3
Ventotene: A Symbol of Europe
At 9:15 AM in Piazza Castello, following official welcoming remarks by Deputy Mayor Pino Pepe, Mario Leone—Director of the Altiero Spinelli Institute for Federalist Studies—will speak on the topic: “Ventotene: Island of Exile and the Federalist Project.”
At the “Political Exiles” Monument, Pier Virgilio Dastoli, President of the European Movement, will provide an introduction titled “The Current European Institutional Context Leading Up to the European Elections.” Remarks will be delivered by the secretaries of the Chambers of Labour (Camere del Lavoro) from Monza, Frosinone, and Perugia, as well as representatives from the national CGIL, followed by a tribute at Altiero Spinelli’s grave.
Finally, at 9:30 PM at the Ultima Spiaggia Bookstore, a discussion will be held on the theme: “Ventotene: A Symbol for a Europe of Labour in the Era of Technological Innovation.” Speakers will include Ludovic Voet (Confederal Secretary of the ETUC), alongside Salvatore Marra, Camilla Piredda, and Claudio Franchi. The event will feature the participation of the national CGIL, the CDLT branches of Latina, Perugia, Monza, and Lecce, the national SPI, and the FDV, with coordination by Stefano Milani. Official greetings will be offered by Mario Leone of the Altiero Spinelli Institute for Federalist Studies; he will present copies of works by Edmondo Paolini—commissioned by the Province of Latina and the Municipality of Ventotene—to the six scholarship recipients from the Ventotene seminar (nominated by the participating organizations). Mayor Carmine Caputo will also be present.
