MESSINA (ITALPRESS) – “With deep emotion and pride, I address you on this particularly solemn day that marks the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year at the University of Messina. An institution that has been a beacon of culture, knowledge and dialogue for nearly five centuries. Today’s ceremony is colored with a wholly unique historical and symbolic significance that interweaves past present and future. We are gathered together at an extraordinary moment, honored by the presence of the President of the Republic, who will be awarded an honorary doctorate in Public Administration today. This recognition is intended to celebrate, Mr. President, your tireless commitment to the defense of republican, democratic values and the protection of institutions in the promotion of the common good.” This was emphasized by the rector of the University of Messina, Giovanna Spatari, as she opened the 2024-2025 Academic Year, the 177th of activity of the Peloritan university, in the presence of President of the Republic Sergio Matterella. The ceremony was held at the Vittorio Emanuele Theater. A very long and warm applause welcomed the Head of State. Then the Hymn of Mameli sung by the Athenaeum choir, which was followed by another long applause. Finally the Hymn to Joy, before the start of the opening ceremony of the Academic Year of the University of Messina.During the lectio doctoralis delivered following the awarding of the doctorate in Science of Public Administration conferred by the University, President Mattarella, highlighted the urgent need for unity, both in Italy and in the European context. “The great problems of our time – from climate change to digital transition, from migration flows to security – cannot be addressed by individual states in isolation,” he said. “Only through a common vision, close cooperation among nations and a more cohesive Europe can we build a future of peace and shared prosperity.” Recalling the spirit of the 1955 Messina Conference, Mattarella recalled how the European Union was born out of a desire to overcome historical divisions and promote cooperation. “It is precisely in times of crisis that we must reaffirm the value of unity. The alternative would be irrelevance,” said the president of the Republic, receiving a long applause from the students and authorities present when he concluded, “In March 2017, the 60th anniversary of the signing of the original Treaties was celebrated in Rome. On that occasion, addressing a greeting to the Heads of State and Government present, I took the liberty of saying that the countries of the Union fall into two categories: small countries and those that have not yet realized that they too are small. Only united will they be able to continue to assure their citizens, as they have for more than 70 years, a future of peace and widespread prosperity. “In Messina, the Head of State received an honorary doctorate in Public Administration Sciences. The President Emeritus of the Constitutional Court, Gaetano Silvestri, gave the laudation for the conferral of the title, which was presented to the President of the Republic by Daniela Novarese. “This recognition is intended to celebrate, Mr. President, your tireless commitment to the defense of republican, democratic values and the protection of institutions in the promotion of the common good,” University of Messina Rector Giovanna Spatari highlighted as she opened the ceremony.- photo xq5 Italpress -(ITALPRESS).
