by In Trieste
Robert Needham, US Consul General in Milan, attended a press conference at the region last Friday, where he announced U.S. government’s funding for a new project on human ecology and sustainability which will promote scientific and cultural exchange between Italy and U.S.
The “Researching Sustainability, Supporting Sustainability” initiative, led by the Fondazione Internazionale Trieste (FIT) and supported by the American Department of State, will see Trieste-based institutes ICTP and SISSA – Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati, and the prestigious, U.S.-based Santa Fe Institute come together for a better future.
The project was illustrated by FIT president Stefano Fantoni, Matteo Marsili, Head of ICTP’s Quantitative Life Sciences (QLS) section, and Anthony Deaton, Consul for the press and culture of the United States Consulate in Milan.
David Krakauer, President of the Santa Fe Institute, was also present with a video message.
The presentation was preceded by institutional greetings from the Regional Councilor for University and Research, Alessia Rosolen.
As well as the Deputy Mayor of Trieste, Serena Tonel, and the United States Consul General in Milan Robert Needham.
In addition, the Director of ICTP Atish Dabholkar, the Director of SISSA Andrea Romanino, the Director of the Physics Department of the University of Trieste took part in the press conference.
As well as Giovanni Comelli, the President of the National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics (OGS) Nicola Casagli and the President of Illycafè Andrea Illy made introductory remarks.
The grant will cover travel expenses, accommodation and fees of eminent American scholars taking part in an international Workshop on Quantitative Human Ecology scheduled at ICTP next summer from 25 to 29 July.
The meeting, which is under the auspices of the UN International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development, will gather experts from multiple disciplines to discuss human, economic and environmental sustainability.
The aim is that the summer workshop will become a yearly North Adriatic Summer Institute in the spirit of the complex systems research conducted by the Santa Fe Institute.
In the same vein was the statement by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region president, Massimiliano Fedriga: «It was a pleasant and very cordial meeting, which strengthens a historical and lasting friendship that already exists between Friuli Venezia Giulia and the United States».
