Filippo Grandi
Filippo Grandi was born in Milan in 1957 and has been engaged in refugee and
humanitarian work for more than 30 years. From 2010 to 2014, he served as
Commissioner-General of UNRWA, the UN Agency for Palestine refugees, having previously
been its Deputy Commissioner-General since 2005. He also served as Deputy Special
Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan and has worked with NGOs and
UNHCR in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and at our Geneva headquarters.
Grandi holds a degree in modern history from the State University in Milan, a BA in
Philosophy from the Gregorian University in Rome and an honorary doctorate from the
University of Coventry
Friday 25th Feb
Session IV: Migrations across Mediterranean shores
Moderated by Carlo Bonini (la Repubblica)
How cities can help defining new migration policies and cooperate for effective actions on fundamental human rights protection.
5.15 pm: Keynote speech by Marco Minniti, President of MedOr Foundation
5.25 pm: Keynote speech by Antonio Vitorino, Director General of IOM (International Organisation of Migrations) (in streaming)
5.35 pm: Keynote speech by Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugee (in streaming)
5.45 pm – 7 pm: “Urban dialogues”, Mayors’ open talk session
During this session mayors will be invited to discuss the topics addressed by the keynote speakers to debate priorities and share possible solutions.
Saturday 26th Feb
Session II
@New Auditorium of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Moderated by Maurizio Molinari, Editor in Chief "la Repubblica"
The Florence Declaration as a bridge between Europe and the Mediterranean Region: peace, social and economic development, culture and people to people relations.
Remembering David Sassoli, President of the European Parliament
A meeting with:
Luciana Lamorgese, Minister of the Interior, Italy
Filippo Grandi, High Commissioner UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)
Amira Kalem and Nadežda Mojsilović , CEI - Rondine Cittadella della Pace
Jean-Marc Aveline, Bishop of Marseille
Giampiero Massolo, President of ISPI
Mayor Mustafa Tunç Soyer, Izmir; Mayor Roberto Gualtieri, Rome; Deputy Mayor Chen Arieli, Tel Aviv; Mayor Benjamina Karic, Sarajevo
Sting (video contribution)
Andrea Bocelli (video contribution)