Publishing date: 21 October 2026 Immagine notizia Immagine Paragrafo The University of Insubria and the Galileo Ferraris Scientific High School in Varese present the 18th edition of Giovani Pensatori (Young Thinkers), which for the 2026–2027 academic and school year focuses on the theme "Images of Knowledge Between Science and Philosophy". Coordinated by the Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences (DiSTA), this long-established initiative, aimed at students and teachers at all educational levels, seeks to overcome the traditional divide between the humanities and sciences by promoting integrated, interdisciplinary knowledge.Alongside DiSTA, the lead department, the programme draws on the interdisciplinary contributions of faculty members from the Department of Human Sciences and Innovation for the Territory (DiSUIT), the Department of Law, Economics and Cultures (DiDEC), the Department of Economics (DiECO), and the Department of Medicine and Technological Innovation (DiMIT). Through educational and orientation activities focusing on philosophy, the culture of legality, computer science, sport and cultural exploration, the initiative encourages dialogue between the University, schools and the local community, while raising awareness of the University's various academic disciplines and educational opportunities. The aim is to provide students with opportunities for learning and discussion, fostering critical thinking and active participation in civic life through lectures, seminars, performances and workshops, including activities organised in collaboration with institutions and associations.The project was conceived in 2009 by Professor Fabio Minazzi, who has overseen its growth into a much-anticipated annual event for local schools. As he approaches retirement, this year he is handing over scientific supervision to Professor Antonio Maria Orecchia, Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Insubria. The programme will be coordinated by Stefania Barile of the Manzoni Social Sciences and Economics High School in Varese, in collaboration with Veronica Ponzellini of the Ferraris Scientific High School in Varese.The 18th edition opened on Friday, 16 October, at Ferraris Scientific High School with a keynote lecture by Fabio Minazzi entitled "Images of Scientific Knowledge in the Western Tradition". The programme continues on Friday, 23 October, in the Main Lecture Hall of Collegio Cattaneo, with the conference "Gramsci and Science", organised in collaboration with the International Gramsci Society Italia. The conference will bring together scholars to explore the relationship between science, objective reality, culture and society in Gramsci's thought. The event is also linked to the Antonio Gramsci Film Competition, curated by Giovanna Brebbia of the Gianfranco Brebbia International Centre, which invites upper secondary school students to produce short films on the theme.Running until May 2027, the programme includes a wide range of initiatives addressing scientific, philosophical and cultural topics, alongside civic engagement, legality, historical memory and human rights. Among these is the third edition of "RigeneraBene: Towards the Social Reuse of Assets Confiscated from the Mafia", organised jointly with faculty members from the University's Departments of Economics and Law, Economics and Cultures, as well as numerous local associations.The project also involves primary school and preschool children, providing further opportunities for collaboration between the University, schools and local organisations.Activities will take place in a hybrid format, both in person and online. Participation is free of charge, but advance registration is required by emailing sbarile@uninsubria.it. Immagine Full ProgrammeScience, Philosophy, Culture and Educational GuidanceFriday, 16 October 2026, 9–11 am – "Images of Scientific Knowledge in the Western Tradition". Keynote lecture by Fabio Minazzi at Ferraris Scientific High School in Varese.Friday, 23 October 2026, 9 am–6 pm – Conference "Gramsci and Science". Held in the Main Lecture Hall of Collegio Cattaneo, in collaboration with the International Gramsci Society Italia. Speakers include Guido Liguori, President of the International Gramsci Society Italia, discussing the reception of Gramsci's thought in Italy and worldwide; Camilla Sclocco of the Croce Institute in Naples; Giuseppe Cospito of the University of Pavia; Antonio Di Meo of the International Gramsci Society Italia; Fabio Minazzi of the University of Insubria; Lelio La Porta of the International Gramsci Society Italia; Chiara Meta of Roma Tre University; and Giuseppe Greco of the International Gramsci Society Italia. The conference is linked to the Antonio Gramsci Film Competition, curated by Giovanna Brebbia of the Gianfranco Brebbia International Centre, and open to upper secondary school students.Friday, 30 October 2026, 10 am–12 pm – "Careers in Sport: If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It". Held at PalaInsubria on the Varese University Campus, featuring skier Valentina Greggio and Eurosport commentator and journalist Gianmario Bonzi. The event is organised in collaboration with Andrea Moriondo, Head of the University's Degree Programme in Sport and Exercise Sciences, and the Physical Education Department of the Manzoni High Schools in Varese. Moderated by Rete55 journalist Mattia Andriolo.Tuesday, 3 November 2026, 9 am–12 pm – Computer Science Seminar "Research Perspectives in Cybersecurity and Related Educational Opportunities: CyberChallenge". Held in the Main Lecture Hall of the Keynes Institute in Gazzada Schianno, featuring Sabrina Sicari and Alessandra Rizzardi of the University of Insubria, in collaboration with Caterina Stallone of the Keynes Institute. An in-depth workshop led by Erika Di Giacomo and Carmela Sudàno of the Keynes Institute will follow.Friday, 6 November 2026, 9 am–12 pm – Conference "The Image of Peace in Immanuel Kant". Held at Collegio Cattaneo, featuring a presentation by Fabio Minazzi and the unveiling of the "Manifesto for Peace in the 21st Century", prepared by Clara Cereda, Giulia Ferrari, Riccardo Marasciulo and Giada Mentasti, former students of class 5GS at the Manzoni Social Sciences and Economics High School in Varese, under the supervision of Stefania Barile.January–March 2027 – Mathematical Logic and Artificial Intelligence. A mathematical logic course led by Mauro Ferrari and Silvia Corchs of the University of Insubria, together with the project "AI Project: From Theory to the Laboratory", coordinated by Silvia Corchs at the G. Ferraris Scientific High School in Varese.Friday, 12 March 2027, 10 am–1 pm – Academic Seminar "The Revival of Philosophy of Science in Italy and the Italian Operationalist School". Held at Collegio Cattaneo, featuring Felice Accame of the Centre for Language Analysis Studies in Genoa, Fabio Minazzi, Ernesto Arturi and Paolo Russo, a University of Insubria graduate whose thesis focused on Italian operationalism.Citizenship, Legality and Human RightsTuesday, 10 and Tuesday, 17 November 2026, 9:30 am–1:30 pm – RigeneraBene Training Sessions. Dedicated to the social reuse of assets confiscated from mafia organisations and urban regeneration, the sessions will take place respectively at Collegio Cattaneo in Varese and the Sant'Abbondio Cloister in Como. Former magistrate Gherardo Colombo is expected to participate in the Varese event on 10 November.Tuesday, 24 November 2026, 9 am–1 pm – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Collegio Cattaneo will host the event "From Legislation to Reality: The Impact of the Red Code Law on the Protection of Women and the Safeguarding of Minors", coordinated by Stefania Barile. Speakers include Member of Parliament Stefania Ascari, rapporteur and lead signatory of the Red Code Law; Paola Biavaschi, the Rector's Delegate for Gender Equality and Equal Opportunities; Sabrina Ditaranto of the Milan Juvenile Court; and Stefania Passiu of the SiCura Association in Gallarate.Friday, 15 January 2027, 9:30 am–1:30 pm – RigeneraBene Study Day in Como. Held at the Sant'Abbondio Cloister, focusing on the allocation of assets confiscated from mafia organisations in the Como and Varese areas.Friday, 22 January 2027, 9:30 am–1:30 pm – RigeneraBene Study Day in Varese. Held at the Lanzavecchia Pavilion, focusing on the allocation of assets confiscated from mafia organisations.Friday, 5 February 2027, 9 am–1 pm – Holocaust Remembrance Day. Held at the Lanzavecchia Pavilion and coordinated by Stefania Barile and Fabio Minazzi. The event will feature a lecture entitled "Nazi Massacres in Italy" by Judge Marco De Paolis, Military Prosecutor General at the Military Court of Appeal in Rome, alongside contributions from Erica Baricci and Antonio Maria Orecchia of the University of Insubria.Mid-March 2027 – RigeneraBene Workshops. Activities focusing on the allocation of assets confiscated from mafia organisations in the Como and Varese areas, hosted at Casa Arca in Varese, Casa del Giocattolo Solidale, Libera Masseria in Cisliano and Cascina Tavorella in Oltrona di San Mamette.The civic education philosophy workshop "For Freedom", organised with the Salesian Maroni Institute in Varese, and Varese-BiodiverCity, part of the "Legality as a Practice for Civic Education" co-design initiative, in collaboration with the Municipality of Varese's Biodiversity, Health and Sustainability Working Group for Environmental Education.Cross-disciplinary initiatives include Service-Learning: University and Local Community, involving the University and the network of schools coordinated by the Varese Territorial School Office; Economic and Financial Education for a New Social Ethic Against Economic Violence, in collaboration with the National Association of Financial Advisers and the SiCura Association of Gallarate-Milan; Mousiké: Philosophies of Performance, with the Casa della Musica Association in Como and the Manzoni Music High School in Varese; Ethical Hacking, coordinated by the Keynes Institute in Gazzada; Between Promotion and Protection: Towards Sustainable Tourism, coordinated by Professor Federico Maggio of the Daverio Casula Nervi Technical Institute, together with Carla Tocchetti of the Liberty Varese Association; and Building Peace: From the Individual to the Collective, organised by the Makula Independent School, coordinated by Professor Chiara Achini, with Giulio Bellotto of the No.Mi Association. Educational activities focusing on the World Parliament are also planned, coordinated by Giuliana Bottelli in collaboration with Jacopo Riboli of the University of Zurich.Theatre, Exhibitions and Activities for Younger ChildrenThursday, 3 December 2026, 12–2 pm – Theatre Performance "The Endless Hope of Returning". Dedicated to the life and work of poet Antonia Pozzi, featuring Elisabetta Vergani of Farneto Teatro.Friday, 4 December 2026, 10 am–12 pm – Exhibition "Jella Lepman: A Bridge of Books". Opening at the Rescaldina Public Library, followed by a guided tour and workshops for the Youngest Thinkers of the Manzoni Comprehensive School in Rescaldina, coordinated by Francesca Sgambelluri and Lucrezia Lega, together with time management trainer Mario Domina.The project also involves primary school and preschool children through "Philosophising with Children", coordinated by Rosa Di Capua for primary schools and Graziella Segat for preschools, and "Giovanissimi Pensatori Navigators" (Youngest Thinkers Navigators), coordinated by Francesca Sgambelluri.Closing FestivalsFriday, 7 May 2027, 9 am–1 pm – Giovani Pensatori Philosophy Festival, coordinated by Stefania Barile and Fabio Minazzi.Tuesday, 11 and Tuesday, 18 May 2027, 9:30 am–1:30 pm – RigeneraBene Project Presentation Seminars. The events will take place respectively at the Sant'Abbondio Cloister in Como and Collegio Cattaneo in Varese.Friday, 21 May 2027, 9 am–12 pm – Giovanissimi Pensatori Philosophy Festival, held at the Municipal Auditorium in Gavirate and organised by the teachers involved in the "Philosophising with Children" project.Friday, 28 May 2027, 10 am–12 pm – Giovanissimi Pensatori Philosophy Festival, held at the Municipal Auditorium in Rescaldina and coordinated by Francesca Sgambelluri and the teachers involved in the "Giovanissimi Pensatori Navigators" project.The experiences and activities of the 18th edition will also be featured in the radio programme "Filosofia per tutti" (Philosophy for Everyone), hosted by Stefania Barile on Radio Missione Francescana and available as a podcast on Spotify.