Conflicts, Inequalities and Development

START Program 2026 | Conflicts, Inequalities and Development
START Program 2026

Conflicts, Inequalities and Development

An interdisciplinary and intercultural Fall School across the cultural landscape of Umbria.

30

Participants

20 students from Hiroshima University and 10 students from the University of Perugia.

10

Days

Including arrival and departure, from 17 to 25 September 2026.

Daily structure

Morning lecture or workshop, followed by an afternoon cultural activity.

Perspectives

Economics, political science, sociology, psychology, culture and art.

Concept

Knowledge, culture and dialogue in the heart of Umbria

The School “Conflicts, Inequalities and Development” aims to provide an interdisciplinary and intercultural learning experience that brings together students from the University of Hiroshima and the University of Perugia. Set across the rich cultural landscape of Umbria, the program combines academic engagement with immersive local experiences, fostering both intellectual and personal growth.

The initiative explores the complex relationships between social and economic inequalities, conflict dynamics, and pathways to sustainable development. Through a multidisciplinary approach, participants will engage with perspectives from economics, political science, sociology, psychology and cultural studies, encouraging critical reflection on global and local challenges.

Each day is structured to balance theoretical and experiential learning: morning lectures and workshops will introduce key concepts and case studies, while afternoon cultural activities across the Umbria region will provide opportunities to contextualize these themes in real-world settings.

A central objective of the School is to promote mutual understanding and dialogue among participants from different cultural and academic backgrounds. By encouraging collaborative learning and exchange, the program seeks to develop the skills needed to navigate diversity, address conflicts constructively, and contribute to more inclusive and equitable forms of development.

Ultimately, the Fall School aspires to create a dynamic space where knowledge, culture, and dialogue intersect, empowering students to become thoughtful and engaged global citizens.

Scientific CommitteeProf. Massimiliano Marianelli (Unipg – Rector), Prof. Mituo Ochi (HO – President), Cristiano Perugini (Unipg), Shinji Kaneko (HO)
Lectures program and contents

Six perspectives on conflict, peace and development

Morning sessions combine academic insight, case studies and interdisciplinary discussion in different locations across Umbria.

01

When Inequality Breeds Conflict: Institutions, Power, and Social Justice

Sara Balestri · Development Economics, University of Perugia

How unjust inequalities and weak institutions create fertile ground for conflict, and how political actors may exploit social divisions, highlighting the importance of inclusive development and social justice.

Saturday, 19 September · 11.00-12.30 · Castiglion del Lago / Città della Pieve
02

Media, Power, and Conflict: How Political Communication Shapes Contemporary Societies

Marco Mazzoni · Sociology, University of Perugia

How contemporary political actors use traditional and digital media to construct populistic narratives, shape identities, and mobilize conflict in the pursuit of consensus and political power.

Monday, 21 September · 11.00-12.30 · Città di Castello
03

Turning Coexistence into War: Political Elites, Identity, and the Dissolution of Yugoslavia

Emanuela Costantini · University of Perugia  |  Irena Ristić · Institute of Social Sciences, Belgrade

How political elites mobilized nationalism and religious identities during the Yugoslav crisis, transforming a multicultural society into a theatre of violent conflict and state fragmentation.

Tuesday, 22 September · 11.00-12.30 · Perugia, University for Foreign Students
04

From Saint Francis to Civil Economy: Rethinking Competition, Cooperation, and the Common Good

Cristina Montesi · Economics, University of Perugia

How Umbria’s spiritual and cultural heritage inspired the principles of Civil Economy, offering a vision of development based on reciprocity, cooperation, and the common good as an alternative to purely competitive economic paradigms.

Wednesday, 23 September · 11.00-12.30 · Perugia, S. Pietro’s Monastery
05

Painting Peace: Giotto, Saint Francis, and the Making of a New Humanism

Mirko Santanicchia · Art History, University of Perugia

How Giotto’s frescoes in Assisi translated the Franciscan vision of humanity into a revolutionary artistic language, illustrating the role of culture and art in promoting dialogue, peace, and the common good.

Thursday, 24 September · 11.00-12.30 · Assisi, Palazzo Bernabei
06

Building Peace from Within: Psychology, Identity, and Emotional Resilience

Elisa Delvecchio & Carlo Garofalo · Psychology, University of Perugia

How individual and collective identities, emotions, self-esteem, and emotional regulation shape conflict and cooperation, and how psychological resilience can foster peaceful coexistence.

Friday, 25 September · 11.00-12.30 · Perugia, Gipsoteca

Download the complete programme

Download the official START Program 2026 flyer in PDF format.

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START Program 2026
Conflicts, Inequalities and Development
Perugia and Umbria · 17-25 September 2026