The historic Salone Generali at Palazzo Ferdinandeo served as the backdrop for an international forum advancing urban inclusivity, family well-being, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event took place within the framework of the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families project, led by the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD), and co-organized by the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and ELISAN (European Local Inclusion and Social Action Network).
The opening session featured welcoming remarks from Riccardo Riccardi, Regional Councillor for Health, Social Policies, and Disability of Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Roberto Ciambetti, President of the Regional Council of Veneto and Vice President of ELISAN, who emphasized the importance of multilevel governance and regional leadership in addressing social sustainability challenges.
A central session titled “Promoting Well-being and Achieving the SDGs” brought together distinguished speakers, including Gianna Zamaro, Director of the Department for Health, Social Policies, and Disability of Friuli Venezia Giulia; José Alejandro Vázquez, Director of International Relations at IFFD; and Ignacio Socías, IFFD Talent Acquisition.
Vázquez emphasized the strategic relevance of the Venice Declaration, which serves as the foundation for the Inclusive Cities initiative, and highlighted how local governments can become active agents in achieving SDGs by designing urban policies that respond to the needs of families—especially children, persons with disabilities, and older persons.
Socías presented one of the project’s most promising innovations: the Inclusive Cities Erasmus+ Youth Training Program, a partnership between academic institutions and local social service providers. The program includes a week-long university training focused on urban development and social inclusion; a seminar on UN engagement and public policy advocacy; and a 45-day field research project designed to generate actionable data and amplify youth contributions to inclusive policymaking.
The forum also introduced a new methodology for peer learning: the Live Case session, facilitated by Héctor Rocha, Director of the Chair for Sustainable Integral Development at IAE Business School in Buenos Aires. This interactive segment featured collaboration with the University of Trieste and international tech leaders, providing real-time problem-solving around family-centered urban innovation. Live Cases are rapidly becoming a cornerstone of the IFFD’s Good Practices Platform, enabling cities to share scalable strategies for social development rooted in real experience.
The event concluded with a high-level roundtable on “The Impact of Addictions on Modern Society: Objectives of Public Authorities and International Response,” featuring María José Rico, Director General of the Valencian Institute of Social Services (Spain), and Silvia Apuzzo from the University of Valencia. The discussion addressed the intersection between mental health, family resilience, and urban policy, underscoring the need for integrated approaches.
As part of the broader Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families initiative—now active in over 300 cities worldwide—this event reaffirmed the growing commitment of regional and municipal actors to ensure that no one is left behind, especially within the fundamental social unit: the family.
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