Italy Talks - pilot
In late spring 2018, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica called on Italians to participate in the pilot version of Italy Talks.
Around 80 participants with opposing political views gathered in Bologna and discussed topics ranging from climate change to the integration of refugees.
Organized by the Italian newspapers La Repubblica and HuffPost Italia, the event took place on the occasion of the La Repubblica delle idee festival, a four-day long celebration of ideas in Bologna that attracted thousands of people.
L'Italia si parla participants – ranging from people in their twenties to their seventies, all eager to talk to one another – gathered in the historical location of Palazzo Re Enzo, in the heart of the city. The big hall at the center of the palace provided the perfect setting for a passionate yet civil debate – democracy at work.
The topics most discussed were the right to adoption for homosexual couples and mandatory vaccination, and participants were enthusiastic about the experience. "It was constructive, emotional, enriching," explained one of the participants. Another added: "I really liked the fact that even regarding the issues we didn’t agree on, we moved forward and tried to find a solution.”
L'Italia si parla
After
the successful first edition of Italy Talks in early summer 2018, media
partners La Repubblica and HuffPost once again brought together Italians from all
corners of the country at an event that took place in conjunction with Europe Talks.
In the second round, Italy Talks once again addressed topics of particular importance in the current public debate - be it the government’s new basic income policy or the role of politicians. Participants answered the following questions:
- Do you think politicians are endangering our children’s future?
- Do you think Italy would be better off outside the EU?
- Should taking care of migrants be an obligation for a country like Italy?
- Do you think that a “citizens’ income” is an answer to poverty?
- Do you think that reducing politicians’ privileges should be a priority?
- Is mandatory vaccination OK?
- Should homosexual couples be allowed to adopt?
