UNESCO Chair renewed until 2029

The UNESCO Transdisciplinary Chair in Human Development and Culture of Peace has been renewed until 2029. Established at the University of Florence in 2006, it was the university’s first UNESCO Chair – and among the first in Italy – and promotes the themes of sustainability and complexity in human development and the culture of peace. The new Chairholder is Giovanna Del Gobbo, Professor in the FORLILPSI Department, who succeeds the emeritus professor and founder Paolo Orefice. The Chair aims to promote an integrated system of research and education on sustainable development, working in collaboration with NGOs, institutions, research and educational organizations at regional, national, and international levels. The team includes two Vice Chairholders, Elisabetta Cerbai (NEUROFARBA) and Marco Fioravanti (DAGRI), as well as six program coordinators: Benedetta Baldi (DILEF), Francesco De Maria (FORLILPSI), Daniela Frison (FORLILPSI), Giulio Giovannoni (DIDA), Donato Romano (DISEI), and Francesca Torlone (FORLILPSI). Faculty members and researchers from Unifi and other universities collaborate on the Chair’s activities. Within the scope of the UNITWIN/UNESCO Chairs Programme, the Chairs serve as “think tanks and bridge builders” and contribute to UNESCO’s goals in research and education, strengthening inter-university cooperation and collaboration with civil society.