November 27-29, 2025
VIU Campus, San Servolo Island, Venice
Established in 1995 by five pioneering universities, VIU has grown into a vibrant network that encompasses more than twenty higher education and research institutions on four continents.
Jointly developing educational programs at all levels, exploring innovative topics, exchanging interdisciplinary and intercultural knowledge and experience remain at the heart of what makes VIU a unique institution.
VIU’s 30th Anniversary marks an important milestone, celebrating its founding vision of raising global awareness and shared consciousness around the principles of constructive dialogue, mutual understanding, and purposeful collaboration, which remain essential in a world torn by conflict.
The 30th Anniversary also serves as a shared moment of reflection on the pressing issues our societies face today, from rapid technological change to persistent inequalities and sustainability concerns. Together, we aim to explore the educational models, tools, and approaches that can help us overcome/address these challenges and shape the responsible leaders and engaged citizens of tomorrow.
On November 27-29, VIU will host a program of academic discussions, institutional meetings and celebratory gatherings open to the VIU community, the city of Venice and to all students, researchers, professors and citizens who wish to take part in this shared celebration.
Guiding Transitions International Conference
Thursday afternoon, November 27
Friday morning, November 28
Human history has always alternated between slow, steady progress and sudden leaps marked by paradigm shifts and rapid transformations, that have redefined entire civilizations. Wars, epidemics, discoveries, and innovations have sparked rapid transformations in culture, knowledge, and society.
VIU’s international conference Guiding Transitions opens a forum for reflection and case-based analysis, exploring how Higher Education Institutions can equip students with the skills and competencies to navigate these changes. Sessions will focus on four key areas: Higher Education and AI, Structural Inequalities, Ecology and Environment, and Cities in Transition.
The conference is open to scholars, higher education experts and practitioners both from member institutions of Venice International University and beyond, encouraging a collaborative exploration of today’s most pressing transitions.
Tickets for the Alumni & Friends of VIU Dinner on Thursday, November 27 are complimentary for conference attendees.
Alumni & Friends of VIU Dinner
with music performed by UNIPD Big Band, the Jazz Orchestra of the University of Padova
Thursday, November 27, 2025, 19.30
VIU alumni and friends are invited to an evening of reunion, conversation, and networking. Attendees will have the opportunity to reconnect, share memories, and enjoy live music performed by the University of Padova Big Band.
Tickets are €25.00 per person
Tickets for current VIU students - Fall 2025 are €10.00 per student (at Front Office only)
Conference participants should reserve their tickets via the conference registration form.
Navigating the Venice Archipelago. Lagoon Stories for Sustainable Futures
Friday, November 28, 2025, 13.00
An interactive multimedia exhibit developed by Venice International University in collaboration with the University of Padua, and exhibited in the Italian Pavilion at Osaka Expo 2025 and part of the Intelligent Venice Exhibition, a special project of the Venice Sustainability Foundation at the Architecture Biennale in 2025.
Conversations on Energy, Environment and the Sea
Friday, November 28, 2025, 14.30
Venice International University, San Servolo Island [in Italian with English translation]
Prof. Dott. Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italian Minister for the Environment and Energy Security
Prof. David Burigana, University of Padua
Sen. Nello Musumeci, Italian Minister for Civil Protection and Marine Policies
Prof. Andrea Rinaldo, President, Veneto Institute of Sciences, Letters and Arts
Prof. Fabrizio Marrella, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice
Moderated by Ambassador Umberto Vattani, VIU President
Special Concert of the Choir of the Cardinal Bartolucci Foundation
Friday, November 28, 2025, 21.00
Church of San Salvador, Venice
In 2004, the Domenico Bartolucci Foundation created its own polyphonic choir to promote the classical and contemporary sacred repertoire of the Roman School—particularly the works of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Domenico Bartolucci, but also those of the most renowned composers of sacred music from the Renaissance to the present day
Free entrance. Registration not required
Download the flyer
The Third Paradise by Michelangelo Pistoletto: 20th Anniversary
Saturday, November 29, 2025
VIU, San Servolo Island
Registration not required
Download the flyer
In 2004, the Domenico Bartolucci Foundation created its own polyphonic choir to promote the classical and contemporary sacred repertoire of the Roman School—particularly the works of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Domenico Bartolucci, but also those of the most renowned composers of sacred music from the Renaissance to the present day
11.00 Project conceived by Ambassador Umberto Vattani
12.00 Presentation of the book “From the Third Paradise to the Formula of Creation”
Presentation of the book “From The Third Paradise to the Formula of Creation”
Published by Treccani
Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Michelangelo Pistoletto, Artist, Creator of the Third Paradise
Antonio Spadaro, Undersecretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education
Paolo Naldini, Director of Cittadellarte – Fondazione Pistoletto
Francesco Monico, Head of the Spirituality Office at Cittadellarte
Saverio Teruzzi, Coordinator of the Third Paradise – Rebirth Embassies
Laura Salas Redondo, Curator and Founder of the Third Paradise – Rebirth Embassies
Moderated by Fortunato D’Amico, Editorial Coordination
12.15 TRIKÂLA: “Towards the Tuning of the Third Paradise”
Sound composition by Nicola Cisternino
Artistic workshop curated by Stefania Guerra Lisi
Environmental project conceived by Giovanni Leone
In collaboration with the Guggenheim Art High School and the Marco Polo Music High School of Venice.
12.50 Unveiling of the Commemorative Plaque of the Third Paradise
Sculpture Park of San Servolo
30th Anniversary Gala Dinner
Saturday, November 29, 2025 - by invitation only
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Reception with the Mayor of Venice, Arch. Luigi Brugnaro
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Institutional Welcome Address, Ambassador Riccardo Guariglia
Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation -
Thirty Years of VIU and the Extraordinary Venetian Renaissance
Prof. Renato Brunetta, Venice Sustainability Foundation and the Italian National Council for Economics and Labour
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Special Anniversary Concert by Maestro Filippo Gorini, Piano
music by Johannes Brahms and Franz Schubert -
Thirtieth Anniversary Gala Dinner
