Rationale

At present there is intense and urgent interest in the cultural reintegration of Europe. This, of course, has long historical antecedents, but present economic and political circumstances bring us to a special juncture, replete with opportunity as well as dangers.

After long political separation the barriers have been pulled down and in intensive interchange of people, political and economic integration is about to begin. As part of the humane venture we must seek ways in which this can proceed in a manner that is human and humanly enriching. This, in turn, requires finding ways in which the personal and social creativity and aspirations of different peoples can be compatible and mutually complementary.

These are special resources for such investigations. For a number of years "Globus et Locus" has been studying the way in which Italic culture might be not merely for Italians, but a potential contribution for other peoples of the world. In addition to the seminal work of Globus et Locus, and others, these studies have included two annual meetings in Washington which have led to the publication of crosscultural and interdisciplinary volumesAt the same time, the people of Central and Eastern Europe have been anxious both to retain their own cultural heritage and to rejoin the West European from which they have been too long too separated. With the integration of Europe this process is about to take on an excelerated
form.

Hence, it is uniquely opportune to hold a discussion on:
 - the significance of Italicity to the objectivies of the peoples to the East and viceversa;
 - the cultural heritage which they will bring to the West;
 - how the two will be able to reunite in a mutually fructifying manner.

The prospect of the conference is then for two prolonged progress; first to test out the proposed universal significance of Italicity by a case study of its significance for the peoples to the east, and second to explore the potential significance of this thesis of cultural significance beyond borders for the new age of globalization in its first focused step of reintegrating the countries of Europe.

• List of participants
  
• Programme
  

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