Recently, a new conversation has begun to emerge in Italy — one that could redefine the relationship between the country and its global diaspora.

For generations, the relationship between Italy and its global diaspora — especially the millions of Italian Americans — has been built primarily on culture, heritage and family memory.

But recently a new conversation has started to emerge.

A conversation about how this historic connection could evolve into something more structured: a relationship based not only on identity, but also on economic cooperation, entrepreneurship and shared opportunities.

This shift is beginning to appear in public debate. It has surfaced in national media discussions and, recently, it even reached the Italian Parliament.

At a public event held at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome (March 10), policymakers, entrepreneurs and institutional representatives gathered to discuss the evolving role that the Italian diaspora could play in the country’s economic future.

The message emerging from the discussion was clear:
Italy’s global communities are not only part of its past. They can also become part of its economic future.

From nostalgia to economic networks

For decades, the relationship between Italy and its diaspora has been largely emotional and cultural.

Millions of Italian Americans travel to Italy every year to reconnect with their heritage, rediscover family towns and explore traditions that shaped their identity.

But today a new dynamic is starting to take shape.

Many entrepreneurs of Italian origin abroad are no longer interested only in visiting Italy as tourists. Increasingly, they are interested in building relationships with Italian businesses, discovering authentic production territories and exploring opportunities connected to the places where Made in Italy is actually created.

At the same time, Italian regions and local communities are beginning to recognize that the diaspora represents much more than a cultural audience.

It represents a global network of entrepreneurs, professionals and investors with deep ties to Italy.

The authenticity advantage

One reason this conversation is gaining momentum is the growing presence of Italian-sounding products in global markets.

Around the world, countless products evoke Italy in name or branding but have little connection with the real territories and businesses that produce authentic Italian goods.

For entrepreneurs abroad who value authenticity — and for consumers increasingly seeking it — this creates a unique opportunity.

Direct relationships with Italian producers and territories can become a powerful competitive advantage.

Not only culturally, but economically.

New initiatives connecting territories and diaspora

Alongside the emerging policy debate, new initiatives are beginning to explore practical ways to strengthen the relationship between Italian territories and the diaspora.

Among them is the initiative Radici e Imprese (Roots and Enterprises), which explores new ways to connect local businesses and territories with entrepreneurs of Italian origin abroad.

The idea is simple but significant.

Instead of limiting the relationship to heritage tourism or cultural programs, the initiative explores how the diaspora can engage with Italy through:

• partnerships with local businesses
• discovery of authentic production territories
• investment opportunities in smaller towns and regions
• experiences that reconnect entrepreneurs abroad with Italy’s economic life

This approach recognizes something many Italian Americans already feel intuitively:
their connection with Italy is not only cultural.

It can also be entrepreneurial, economic and future-oriented.

A relationship waiting to be structured

For more than a century, the bond between Italy and its diaspora has been sustained by stories, traditions and personal journeys back to ancestral towns.

But in a globalized economy, that bond may also become a powerful platform for collaboration.

Italy does not need to invent a new market.

It needs to structure a relationship that already exists — one built on identity, trust and shared heritage.

If that happens, the future of the Italian diaspora may not only lie in remembering where its roots are.

It may also lie in building something new together with the country those roots came from.

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Italian Gelato Chef Patrizia Pasqualetti, the culinary force behind Gelato by Patrizia at Eataly locations in San Jose, Los Angeles, Boston, and New York, announces the launch of her expanded dairy-free gelato line—bringing her signature Italian craftsmanship to a growing community of lactose-intolerant and plant-based consumers across the United States.

Born in Milan and raised in Umbria, Gelato Chef Patrizia Pasqualetti has built her career on bringing authentic Italian gelato to a global audience. Her journey began in her father Giuseppe’s gelateria in Orvieto, founded in 1980, where she learned the craft alongside her sister and developed a lifelong passion for artisanal desserts. Drawing inspiration from Italy’s culinary heritage, Patrizia approaches gelato as a balance of creativity, premium ingredients, and sensory elegance—where flavor, texture, and presentation exist in perfect harmony.

After relocating to California in 2015, Patrizia introduced her gelato philosophy to the U.S. market. In 2022, she became head of La Gelateria di Eataly San Jose, a partnership that expanded to additional locations in Los Angeles, Boston, and New York. Each gelateria emphasizes handcrafted production using ethically sourced, natural ingredients, reflecting her commitment to quality and authenticity.

Patrizia Pasqualetti’s gelato philosophy is guided by three principles: lightness, creativity, and elegance. Unlike traditional American ice cream, which can contain up to 30% fat, her gelato typically ranges between 6–10% fat and features reduced sugar, allowing natural flavors to stand out. Served at slightly higher temperatures, it delivers a smooth, authentic texture that enhances taste while remaining lighter and more digestible.

That digestibility is increasingly relevant in today’s U.S. market. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and

Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, approximately 36% of Americans experience difficulty digesting lactose, representing an estimated 30 to 50 million people. Additionally, about 1% of the U.S. population is affected by celiac disease, further underscoring the demand for inclusive dessert options.

Responding to this growing need, Patrizia has introduced an expanded dairy-free gelato line crafted with coconut, oat, and soy milks. Designed to replicate the dense creaminess of traditional gelato without dairy, these plant-based creations offer an inclusive option for lactose-intolerant consumers, those with dietary sensitivities, and health-conscious guests seeking lighter indulgences—without compromising on flavor or texture.

The collection remains low in sugar and made with natural ingredients, preserving the artisanal integrity that defines Gelato Chef Patrizia Pasqualetti’s craft.

The Dairy-Free Collection

Pistachio (Oat Milk-Based)

Pistachio — which has quickly emerged as an early customer favorite — is crafted with premium pistachios and creamy oat milk for a naturally rich, nutty profile. Smooth and velvety with a delicate roasted finish, it delivers the indulgence of traditional gelato—without dairy.

Strawberry (Water-Based)

Made with ripe, sun-kissed strawberries, this refreshing sorbetto captures the pure essence of fresh fruit. Bright, lightly sweet, and vibrant in color, it offers a clean, naturally refreshing finish.

Passion Fruit (Water-Based)

Tropical and aromatic, this sorbetto balances sweet and tangy notes with a silky texture. The natural acidity of passion fruit creates a lively, palate-cleansing experience.

Mango (Water-Based)

Lush and golden, the mango flavor highlights the fruit’s natural sweetness and smooth consistency. Intensely fragrant and refreshing, it evokes warm climates and summer indulgence.

Chocolate (Plant-Based)

Deep and sophisticated, this dairy-free chocolate gelato features high-quality cocoa for a bold yet balanced flavor. Creamy and dense despite the absence of dairy, it satisfies even the most devoted chocolate lovers.

Pear (Plant-Based)

Delicate and subtly floral, Pear offers a refined sweetness with a smooth, almost buttery texture derived naturally from the fruit. Elegant and understated, it reflects Pasqualetti’s philosophy of lightness.

Gusto Patrizia (Water-Based)

A signature blend of pomegranate, blood orange, and passion fruit, this vibrant creation is inspired by California’s citrus groves and Gelato Chef Patrizia Pasqualetti’s personal journey. Bright, layered, and refreshingly complex, it embodies both Italian craftsmanship and West Coast vitality.

With this launch, Gelato Chef Patrizia reinforces her mission to make authentic Italian gelato accessible to a wider audience—seamlessly blending tradition with modern dietary preferences. By expanding her plant-based offerings, she continues to innovate while honoring the craftsmanship and sensory elegance that define true Italian gelato.

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Today, November 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., a ceremony was held near Farmingdale, a town on Long Island, New York, at the Pinelawn Memorial Cemetery to honor the fallen members of the Italian Navy who were prisoners of war during World War II.

The memorial is the resting place of 364,000 fallen soldiers, including 54 Italians—36 of whom remain unidentified and are buried in a common grave. The sailors were among 1,800 prisoners aboard the SS Benjamin Contee, a ship operated by the British. On August 16, 1943, the vessel was struck by an aerial torpedo off the coast of Bone, Algeria. Many prisoners locked in the holds were killed, some from the impact and others by drowning.

Initial recovery efforts failed to locate all the victims. Later, when the ship returned to the United States, the remains of another 36 Italian prisoners were recovered from the holds.

The commemoration was organized by the National Association of Italian Navy Veterans in New York. Also attending were representatives from the Military Office of the Permanent Mission of Italy to the United Nations, personnel from the Embassy of Italy in Washington, D.C., and members of Italian Veterans’ and Armed Forces Associations (including the Carabinieri and the Alpini Corps). They paid tribute to the fallen Italian sailors buried in the cemetery by laying two wreaths of flowers.

Monsignor Ellis Tommaseo, Chaplain of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office, led a brief religious service and delivered a final blessing.

During the ceremony, remarks were given by Rocco Munna, President of the National Association of Italian Navy Veterans, and Major General Alfonso Manzo, Military Advisor of Italy to the United Nations. Both emphasized the importance and solemnity of remembering those who gave their lives in service to their country.

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For the first time outside of Europe, four of Antonio Gramsci’s Prison Notebooks, written during his imprisonment between 1926 and 1934, are on display at the Italian Cultural Institute in New York. This exceptional collection will be exhibited at the Institute’s Park Avenue location from October 22 through November 19 (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.).

In these notebooks, the philosopher and anti-fascist intellectual was interested in “Americanism” – the American innovations in industrial production and their related forms of social organization.

“Gramsci and Americanism. The Prison Notebooks” is the theme of the roundtable (October 22, 6 pm) that will inaugurate the exhibition, with the participation of:

• Silvio Pons, Professor of Contemporary History, Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, and President of the Gramsci Foundation, Rome
• David Forgacs, Guido and Mariuccia Zerilli-Marimò Chair in Contemporary Italian Studies, New York University
• Kate Crehan, Professor of Anthropology, CUNY Graduate Center and College of Staten Island
• Brendan Hogan, Clinical Professor, Liberal Studies, New York University

Gramsci’s Prison Notebooks have been exhibited only a few times outside Italy, and never before in the United States. During his imprisonment, despite the effects on his health, Gramsci managed to write hundreds of letters and to fill 29 school notebooks with reflections on a wide range of subjects, from politics to history, philosophy, linguistics and literature, in addition to four notebooks of translations.

Published after the end of the Second World War, Gramsci’s letters and notebooks have had an extraordinary global impact. Today there are more than 22,000 books by or about him in 42 languages. His writings have had a huge influence on political theory and in diverse fields such as history, literary studies, anthropology and postcolonial studies. In addition to English translations of selected works, three volumes of the complete Prison Notebooks have been published by Columbia University Press and the remaining volumes are in preparation.

Alongside the Notebooks, the exhibition will also display some books and journals that were essential to sustaining Gramsci’s research and writing during his imprisonment.

The exhibition path will also host the documentary, Antonio Gramsci. Life, Writings, Editions (28”), produced by the Gramsci Foundation, and visitors will also be able to browse all 33 Prison Notebooks in digital format through a touchscreen.

In parallel with the exhibition of the Prison Notebooks at the IIC New York, the Department of Italian Studies at New York University, at Casa Italiana Zerilli-Marimò, will host an international conference on America in Gramsci / Gramsci in America, on October 24–25, with the participation of numerous scholars from all over the world. The conference, curated by David Forgacs and Kate Crehan, will focus both on Gramsci’s writings and on their impact in the United States.

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With the approval of new legislation promoted by the government, Italian citizens living abroad will now face longer and more complex procedures when applying for citizenship. Applications will no longer be handled by consulates but by a centralized office in Rome, with waiting times extending up to three years.

“A new law from the Meloni government will make citizenship applications even more difficult.” That’s the warning from Christian Di Sanzo, a Member of Parliament elected to represent Italians in North and Central America, referring to the new law on consular services for citizens abroad approved by the Chamber of Deputies on October 14. “This law is another attack by Prime Minister Meloni on Italians abroad. It will make the citizenship process even harder. Currently, applications must by law be completed within two years and are handled by consular offices in the country where the applicant resides. What the Meloni government is proposing is to extend the processing time from two to four years and to centralize all cases in a single office in Rome, where applications can only be submitted by mail from anywhere in the world — this is clearly a way to make life even more difficult for Italians abroad.”

Di Sanzo noted that, during the parliamentary debate, the Democratic Party managed to limit some of the negative effects of the measure: “Only thanks to my amendments, together with my colleague Toni Ricciardi and the other Democratic Party MPs elected abroad, were we able to mitigate the damage. We managed to keep the processing time to three years instead of four, as originally proposed by the Meloni government. It’s still worse than the current two years, but better than what Meloni wanted. We also postponed the implementation of the law until 2028, meaning that until then, citizenship applications can still be filed through local consulates.”

A positive outcome was also achieved regarding identity documents: “We also secured the possibility for AIRE-registered residents to obtain an electronic ID card in Italian municipalities when they are in Italy. Until now, they could only get a paper one. This will help reduce waiting lists at consulates.”

Finally, Di Sanzo pointed to the broader picture of the government’s policies: “After the citizenship law passed in May, which denied citizenship to the grandchildren of Italians abroad, this represents yet another attack on Italians around the world. Instead of simplifying procedures, the government is doing everything it can to make life more complicated for Italians living overseas.”

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Who would have guessed that behind NASA’s iconic logo—the emblem of America’s leap to the Moon—was the creative mind of a man with unexpected ties to Italy? From “meatball,” the affectionate nickname NASA employees gave it, to a global pop culture icon, the logo still embodies the essence of the American Dream and rekindles the emotion of the Moon landing on July 20, 1969. But let’s take a step back.

It all began on November 20, 1849, in Colobraro, a small town in the province of Matera, where Lucia Di Marco, wife of Nicola Modarelli, gave birth to their son Domenico.

Like many others of his generation, Domenico emigrated to the United States. He settled in Ohio, home to the largest Colobraro community abroad. On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1879, he married Maria Concetta Agnone, a young woman from Quadrelle (Avellino), and the couple made their home in Girard, Trumbull County, Ohio. In May 1886, their son James Joseph Modarelli was born. He later married Clarice Ragaini, and the Modarelli family line in America continued with the birth of James “Jim” Joseph Modarelli Jr., born in Youngstown on October 25, 1915.

Jim cultivated his artistic talent at the Cleveland Institute of Art, beginning his career as a technical illustrator. He worked as a graphic designer at the Lewis Research Center, and when the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was reorganized to form the new National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Modarelli was tasked with creating the official seal for the new agency—a design that would soon travel far beyond Earth. It was 1959, ten years before the historic Apollo 11 mission.

Inspired by the shape of a supersonic aircraft and using the red, white, and blue of the American flag, Modarelli designed stylized red wings in a “V” shape across a blue sphere dotted with stars, with an orbiting ellipse symbolizing space travel weaving through the four white letters of NASA. Jim Modarelli’s “meatball” logo has since flown on astronauts’ suits, marked spacecraft launched into orbit, and watched over the International Space Station. It even appears in the legendary photo of Neil Armstrong taking humanity’s first steps on the Moon.

Even today, that logo—which symbolized an era of transformation for America and embodied the Space Race—lives on in popular culture, printed on mugs and T-shirts worn by those who see themselves in an ideal of innovation and human achievement. NASA’s official website recognizes Jim Modarelli as “the creator of NASA’s first exhibit program, laying the groundwork for the agency’s public outreach and inspiring a generation through community engagement.”

The story of Jim Modarelli and the “meatball” is a fascinating chapter of the American Dream—a dream that, for many like his grandfather Domenico Modarelli and the people of Colobraro, meant leaving their homeland for the unknown. It’s a reminder that creativity can emerge from the most unexpected places—and an inspiration to keep pushing the boundaries of exploration while carrying the strength of one’s roots.

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Giorgia Meloni opened her address at the 80th UN General Assembly in New York by describing a world on the edge «between war and peace». Quoting Pope Francis, the Prime Minister spoke of a «third world war fought in pieces», emphasizing that the number of armed conflicts is at a historic high.

«According to the 2024 Global Peace Index, there are currently 56 conflicts underway around the world, the highest number since World War II».

This, Meloni said, demonstrates the failure of the UN’s founding mission in 1945: to guarantee peace. «Have we succeeded? The answer lies in today’s headlines, and it is merciless. Peace, dialogue, and diplomacy are no longer convincing or prevailing».

Among the most serious crises, Meloni singled out Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine, denouncing an unprecedented violation of international rules by a permanent member of the Security Council.

«The Russian Federation has deliberately trampled on Article 2 of the UN Charter, violating the integrity and political independence of another sovereign state with the intention of annexing its territory».

The Prime Minister then criticized the Kremlin’s ongoing unwillingness to engage in negotiations: «Even today, Moscow refuses to seriously consider any invitation to sit at the peace table. This deep wound inflicted on international law has triggered destabilizing effects far beyond Kyiv’s borders».

A significant portion of Meloni’s speech was dedicated to the conflict in the Middle East, which she linked to the broader context of global instability worsened by the war in Ukraine. She described Israel’s initial response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attacks as «legitimate», but strongly condemned the ongoing military operation in Gaza.

«The ferocity and brutality of that attack, the hunt for defenseless civilians, pushed Israel to react—initially in a legitimate way, as every state has the right to defend itself. But the response to aggression must always respect the principle of proportionality. Israel has crossed that line, violating humanitarian norms and causing a massacre of civilians».

For this reason, Italy will vote in favor of certain European sanctions against Israel.

Meloni reiterated that primary responsibility lies with Hamas, which must immediately release all hostages:

«We do not join those who place all the blame for what is happening in Gaza on Israel. It is Hamas that unleashed the war, and it is Hamas that could end the suffering of the Palestinians by freeing the hostages right now. Instead, it seems to thrive on the suffering of the very people it claims to represent».

Regarding the region’s future, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Italy’s long-standing position in favor of a two-state solution: «Israel does not have the right to prevent the future establishment of a Palestinian state, nor to build new settlements in the West Bank to block it».

However, she set two preconditions for international recognition of Palestine: «The release of all Israeli hostages and Hamas’s renunciation of any role in the Palestinian government. Those who sparked the conflict cannot be rewarded».

Meloni urged Israel to «break free from the trap of this war» and expressed support for proposals put forward by the U.S. President together with Arab countries for a permanent ceasefire.

«Peace is not built with mere appeals or ideological proclamations, but with patience, courage, and reasonableness. Italy is ready and will remain ready to support anyone willing to work on a serious plan for the release of hostages, an end to hostilities, the exclusion of Hamas, and a concrete prospect of two states living side by side in peace and security».

Turning to institutional matters, Meloni called for a profound reform of the United Nations, describing the current international structure as «frozen eighty years ago».

«Multilateralism, dialogue, and diplomacy are empty words without institutions that function as they should».

The goal, she explained, must be to make the UN more agile and transparent: «The Glass Palace must truly be a house of glass, able to respond quickly to crises, cut waste and duplication, and ensure transparency in costs and mission».

The Prime Minister then addressed the issue of migration and asylum rights, stressing the need to update international rules to meet today’s challenges.

«The current conventions were written at a time when mass irregular migration and human trafficking did not exist».

She said, criticizing the «ideological and one-sided» interpretations of «politicized judiciaries». The aim, she clarified, is not to lower protections but rather «to build a system in step with the times, capable of safeguarding fundamental human rights alongside every nation’s sacred right to defend its borders and manage migration flows».

In the final part of her speech, Meloni sharply criticized what she called «unsustainable environmentalism», accusing Western «green plans» of leading «to deindustrialization long before decarbonization».

«Thirty years of blind globalization have ended, and today we see the consequences: unsustainable production models imposed from above, entire productive sectors in crisis, impoverished middle classes, and irrational consumer choices. This is not about denying climate change, but about affirming technological neutrality and gradual reforms, placing humanity at the center».

Meloni concluded by invoking Saint Francis, noting that this year also marks the 70th anniversary of Italy’s entry into the United Nations: «The toughest battles are reserved only for those with exemplary courage», she quoted, urging the international community to show that courage to build «a more just and secure world». It was, she said, an appeal not to waste the historic opportunity presented by today’s global challenges.

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A leading international pharmaceutical group, present in 140 countries with almost 18,000 employees, 18 manufacturing sites, and 9 research centers worldwide, Menarini demonstrates a clear international vocation in a context where geographical distances are diminishing and the pace of innovation is accelerating by the day. For this reason, research and development is a key pillar “at the heart of our company,” explains CEO, Elcin Barker Ergun, and one of the reasons why Menarini has decided to bolster its presence and strengthen its partnerships, particularly in the United States.

Elcin Barker Ergun, who has over 20 years of international experience in the pharmaceutical industry, joined Menarini in 2019, and since then the company’s strategy has been focused even more on specific areas. “We have been very strong in primary and speciality care, and our Board wanted to accelerate our efforts in oncology, as cancer represents the second leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular disease, which is our prime area of focus,” she noted during a recent interview given to the Italpress Agency.

 The real “turning point” in the Group’s growth journey came just one year after her arrival with the acquisition of the US-based Stemline Therapeutics in 2020. “I joined Menarini in 2019 as CEO, and our board and shareholders expressed three very clear priorities. We were present in 70 countries directly and in 140 countries overall, but we did not have a pharmaceutical division in the United States; we were present there only with our diagnostics division,” Barker Ergun recounts. The priorities were, therefore, to bring the Group to the United States in the pharmaceutical area, accelerate oncology, and further accelerate innovation capabilities. “We decided that the fastest and most productive way was to acquire a US biotechnology company that was already a player in innovation, particularly located in the East Coast of the United States, an area known for being the major hub of biopharma innovation in the world,” she further explains.

The acquisition of Stemline allowed Menarini to close a deal with a Boston based biotech company for the rights to a key product in the fight against breast cancer just one month later, a drug which is now part of Menarini’s oncology portfolio. “So, for us, it was pivotal to make this acquisition, and it also shows just how bold the vision of Menarini and our shareholders is,” says Barker Ergun, recalling that the drug, which received fast track and priority review approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in January 2023 and the approval of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in September of the same year, represents the first endocrine innovation in a certain type of breast cancer in 20 years.

“Our innovation has allowed us to bring a targeted drug, with a precision medicine approach, to provide an important treatment option that affects up to 40% of patients with metastatic breast cancer,” continues Menarini’s CEO, and now this important drug for the treatment of a specific type of metastatic breast cancer is already marketed by Menarini in the United States, United Kingdom, and several European countries, including Italy, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

“A study is also underway to evaluate the effectiveness of this product by our research teams in the early stages of breast cancer: this is very important because breast cancer is one of the highest incidence cancers where around 320,000 people in the US and almost 550,000 people in Europe receive a breast cancer diagnosis each year and early intervention is critical,” she adds.

Menarini’s scope also extends to other forms of cancer, such as hematological tumors and other women’s cancers. This was a result of effective partnerships where Menarini, through these partnerships, also got access in certain territories like Europe, Middle East Africa and Latin America for a product dedicated to the treatment of multiple myeloma. Menarini has already launched the drug in Germany, UK, Italy, France and is currently launching it in Spain. “This product is now the subject of further research into its interaction in myelofibrosis, a rare and very important orphan hematological cancer, where there is a huge unmet need.  It is estimated that, starting from first part of next year, we could receive the first results of the ongoing clinical trials and, if these are positive, this could represent a significant step forward.”

But oncology is not the Group’s only priority, as Barker Ergun reminds us that cardiovascular diseases are “the deadliest diseases in the world,” with over 17 million victims every year. In this case, another fundamental partnership has been established with biopharmaceutical company New Amsterdam Pharma. “We are their European partner, and after three successful clinical trials last year, we have just made our submission for regulatory authorisation in Europe. If all goes well, we could potentially be able to bring a new generation lipid lowering drug to Europe next year, starting with Germany,” declares Barker Ergun.

Menarini is also focusing on respiratory diseases and diabetes, but the “boldness” that characterizes the Group is perhaps most discernible in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a very challenging area where the current model, aimed at bringing novel antibiotics to patients, is ‘broken’. “There are not enough products”, comments Barker Ergun, “because incentives to make further research and bring products to market, do not exist in the AMR area.” Where incentives have been introduced, such as those for orphan diseases, “the results have been remarkable”, she adds.

Nevertheless, it is a challenge that must be taken on, according to Barker Ergun, because it is a “silent pandemic,” with estimated millions of AMR-associated deaths worldwide each year and “a very rapid escalation” in the figures. “We’re one of the few companies left that are investing in this area”, working with authorities, the pharmaceutical industry, and patient associations to find concrete and viable solutions, such as an orphan-like designation for AMR antibiotics.

“We talked about oncology, for example” where many patients are being treated for oncological diseases but about 30 percent of these patients ultimately die from antimicrobial-resistant infections in hospital wards. “This is the very sad side of the devastating antimicrobial resistance and one of the many reasons why we need effective treatments to combat it,” observes the CEO of Menarini.

The deepening of research, geographical expansion, and new collaborations being established around the globe all unavoidably contend with a world that is, in itself, undergoing constant and profound change, particularly with the introduction of new technologies. Today, like so many other industries, innovation and artificial intelligence are also changing the perspectives and the goals of the pharmaceutical sector.

 “I am a computer engineer by background, so I am very happy to see that we are finally starting to tap into AI in the pharmaceutical industry,” notes Barker Ergun. “In my view, the most important application of AI in the pharmaceutical industry today is in the discovery stage,” which represents the longest, most challenging, and riskiest part of pharmaceutical research. Until now, “it would take more than 10 years to discover a new molecule in our industry. Today, thanks to generative artificial intelligence, companies can achieve this in two or three years,” she adds.

In this case, Menarini has chosen Insilico Medicine as its partner, one of the global life science leaders in generative artificial intelligence. “We have acquired two of their assets, one of which is already in clinical trials for breast cancer,” the CEO specifies. “Beyond the “discovery” phase, AI can create efficiencies in many steps within the clinical pathway, accelerating various stages, such as clinical trials, medical writing, and the regulatory procedures in addition to the superb analytical capabilities it provides. Still its main translation into the pharmaceutical field is its breakthrough capability in discovery and, on the other hand, it may enable a lot of enhancements that can really accelerate the time needed to get new products to patients,” concludes Barker Ergun.

However, artificial intelligence, precision technologies, and new fields of research cannot overlook the values that remain unchanged and must accompany every step, particularly in a sector like pharmaceuticals. “We are one of the oldest pharmaceutical companies in the world. We are extremely proud of our Italian heritage and for us, people centricity is incredibly important,” explains the CEO of Menarini. “Everything we do is through our people, who really devote significant efforts, also in difficult territories in many parts of the world. We owe them a lot. The second important value, in line with this, is our patient focus,” she continues. “That is why we have chosen three areas which are the world’s deadliest diseases: cardiovascular diseases, oncology, and respiratory diseases. These areas currently have the three highest mortality rates around the globe today,” the CEO further observes, adding that quality is the company’s third core value, something Menarini has always strived for and is “in everything we do”. Finally, three additional “values” accompany Menarini’s day to day activities: “curiosity, passion, and urgency to act.” “We believe that urgency to act is extremely important, given the fact that we deal with the diseases that are amongst those with the highest toll on human lives globally. Our curious and passionate workforce is committed to making our company succeed all the way from preclinical research to late-stage trials, through access and regulatory operations to distribution,” to bring solutions to millions of patients around the world, concludes the CEO of Menarini. 

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Atlanta (GA) – For the first time in the state’s history, Georgia hosted the Made in Italy Expo, a week entirely dedicated to Italian excellence: fashion, film, cuisine, design and business. An event that brought together more than 1,000 live attendees in one week and more than 30,000 online.

The setting could not have been more significant: over the past decade, Georgia has experienced labor productivity growth of 11.2 percent and an increase in real value added of more than 34 percent, consolidating itself as one of America’s most dynamic industrial and logistics hubs. Atlanta, the economic capital of the Southeast, is now the ideal crossroads for a comparison that overcomes stereotypes and tells the story of Italy today.

Italy already plays a leading role in this growth: contributing more than $4 billion in sales and employing more than 6,000 people in Georgia, the Italian community is an integral part of the state’s productive and social fabric.

“A great success,” said Davide Ippolito, President of IARL (Italy America Reputation Lab), “that confirms our mission: to strengthen Italy’s reputation in the United States. Georgia represents a strategic hub for tomorrow’s America, and our commitment is to build here a solid and lasting bridge between Italian excellence and American development. This is not an event, but an investment in reputation and long-term relationships that goes along with the Media Powerhouse project launched two years ago.”

Davide Ippolito, Presidente di IARL, e Nicola Vidali, Managing Director della Camera di Commercio Italiana in Georgia

The week offered a rich and cross-cultural program: an Italian film review, a fashion show curated by Cassandra Wilson, activations in Italian showrooms and restaurants, business talks with international guests, tastings and showcases involving institutions, entrepreneurs and the public.

“This Expo,” stressed Nicola Vidali, managing director of the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Georgia, “was an opportunity to enhance the Italian manufacturing realities already rooted in the area, and to position Atlanta and Georgia on the national radar as a highly specialized region open to international dialogue.

The inaugural ceremony was attended by representatives of the State of Georgia, the City of Atlanta, business leaders and diplomats, including the Honorary Consul of Italy in Atlanta, Filiberto Calascibetta, who remarked on “the importance of initiatives capable of strengthening cultural and economic relations between two communities that share a vision of growth and innovation.”

Congratulations also came from delegations from other countries, including France and Japan, confirming the international scope of an event that showcased the best of Made in Italy in a booming economy.

The event was made possible thanks to the initiative of IARL, in collaboration with the Southeastern Chamber of Commerce-Georgia Chapter, and with the contribution of entrepreneurs who have been promoting Italianism in the area for years: Carolina Rossini, Marco Rebuffi, Riccardo Ullio, Pietro Gianni, Antonio Pedrina, Ryan Kurtz and Emilio Rinaldi.

Made in Italy Expo in Atlanta is the first step on a path that aims to transform the American Southeast into a strategic platform for Italian businesses in the United States.

The article Georgia’s Made in Italy Expo told by the protagonists comes from ilNewyorkese.

On the cover: the opening night of the Made in Italy Expo – photo by Tony Guerrero

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Standing in front of the new Pope, I was struck by how quickly he created a warm, almost intimate atmosphere. Speaking about peace — the defining priority of his pontificate — he quoted Mother Cabrini: “Begin the mission and the means will come”. For him, it is a call to act without waiting for perfect conditions, a reminder that change begins with the first step.

We spoke of Cabrini, born in Lombardy, the first U.S. citizen declared a saint. Pope Leo XIII sent her to America to serve the thousands of Italians seeking a better life. Her schools, hospitals, and orphanages remain part of her legacy more than a century later. We also spoke of the recent film that has moved millions of immigrants in the U.S. and around the world, and of the enduring inspiration her life offers to anyone who has ever left home in search of hope.

He told me of his Italian-American roots — growing up in Chicago with the stories of his Sicilian grandparents who arrived in the early 1900s, intertwined with the Creole heritage of New Orleans. “I’ve seen what it means to seek a future far from home, and how much it matters to be welcomed”, he said.

I shared the story of Il Newyorkese, our project to give voice to the Italian community in the U.S. — a community that is far more than people connected by shared origins. It is living proof of sacrifice, resilience, and the ability to reinvent oneself. It has preserved its roots while embracing integration, contributing decisively to America’s cultural, economic, and social growth.

He listened with interest as I explained that this community mirrors the story of American immigration itself. I gave him a basketball jersey, a symbol of the events we organize to unite sports and community, and described how these gatherings create real connections — moments to meet, share, and build bonds that last.

For the Pope, the Italy America Reputation Lab — the foundation behind many of our cultural and institutional initiatives — could serve as a reference point for his pontificate in the United States. Knowing this gives meaning to the sacrifices of the past two years, reinforcing the path we are on. In that moment, he asked me to be “a living bridge between two worlds, bearing witness to the values of family, work, and faith”.

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