Saturday the 30th of October 2021 marked the start of the G20 Summit in Rome. Key issues on the agenda included climate change, global tax, vaccines, and tariffs —all complex and decisive questions that the Groupe des Vingt had to negotiate on a tight deadline. Let us take a look at the G20 Rome Leaders' … Continue reading Main Agreements Reached at The G20 in Rome Point by Point
Modern Slavery in Southern Europe: What to Know and What We Can Do
Despite the many developments in agriculture, the sector is still heavily dependent on cheap labour. Thus, labour exploitation is rife in the Southern European countryside, present in many countries such as Spain, Italy, and Greece. What is gangmastering? Agricultural slavery is organised in a system by which an intermediary – the gangmaster – liaises between … Continue reading Modern Slavery in Southern Europe: What to Know and What We Can Do
Back to the Future? The Unexpected Return of the Nuclear Debate in Italy
In the magma chamber that is the Italian government, new ebullitions have been occurring in this first half of September. These add up to the already complicated picture of government activity in summer. This time, the noise comes from the declarations of the Minister for the Ecological Transition, Roberto Cingolani. During a political debate forum, … Continue reading Back to the Future? The Unexpected Return of the Nuclear Debate in Italy
Police Brutality Italian Style
The spring of 2020 was the barycenter of the first major COVID-19 wave for most countries around the world. It was also a global intersection of social upheaval and unrest, the most representative being the protests in Minneapolis against systemic racism in the US, spurred by the murder of civilian George Floyd at the hands … Continue reading Police Brutality Italian Style
A Fistful of Votes: the Boredom of the Italian Right-wing Rhetoric on Migration
What a lovely season! Summer! Beaches, sun, holidays. Everything is beautiful during summer. Mainly, if you live in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. At least, one of the best, according to the lovely weather, for sure. Albeit we can’t talk about the political climate in the same way. August 3rd, 2021: … Continue reading A Fistful of Votes: the Boredom of the Italian Right-wing Rhetoric on Migration
EU Digital Green Certificate Implementation and Privacy Concerns in the Italian Context
This 1st of July saw the adoption of the EU Digital Green Certificate, introducing Europe-wide rules relating to the freedom of movement of both EU and non-EU citizens in the European area during the current pandemic crisis. The EU Digital COVID-19 Certificate Framework legislation is specifically comprised of Regulation EU 2021/953 and Regulation EU 2021/954. … Continue reading EU Digital Green Certificate Implementation and Privacy Concerns in the Italian Context
Under-Evaluating Symbolism in Politics: Kneel Before Playing
Italy is founded on two pillars: the memories of unrepeatable past greatness, from the Roman Empire to Michelangelo and Leonardo, and the National Football Team, the Azzurri. According to my 28 years of experience, Italy feels Italian when it unites in front of a television set to watch 22 players chasing a ball: in front of … Continue reading Under-Evaluating Symbolism in Politics: Kneel Before Playing
Teenagers Forever: How Capitalists Want us Not to be Adults
"Pay them more". These are the simple, revolutionary, socialist words by the POTUS Joe Biden a few days ago. Replying to reporters' questions about workers shortage, Biden blamed entrepreneurs and employers for the increasing number of unemployed. So how is it possible not to find people who are ready to work? According to Biden, this … Continue reading Teenagers Forever: How Capitalists Want us Not to be Adults
Questioning Secularism: The Vatican’s Role in Italy’s Latest Legislation
The Vatican, an independent city state within Rome, under the sovereign jurisdiction of the Holy See dates back to early Christianity. As its own entity of international law, while a religious institution and technically considered a ‘theocracy’ of sorts lead currently by Pope Francis, the Vatican’s strong influential presence in both, Italian politics, as well … Continue reading Questioning Secularism: The Vatican’s Role in Italy’s Latest Legislation
Italy is Polluting (its Relations With) Tunisia in a Garbage Scandal
Waste and garbage disposal have long been an extremely problematic issue in Italy. For example, the generalised failure in adequately managing the disposal procedure within the country by both state authorities and private enterprises have created the basis for appropriation of the garbage business by criminal organisations. Sadly well-known is the extreme case of the … Continue reading Italy is Polluting (its Relations With) Tunisia in a Garbage Scandal