Sergio Belardinelli, Full Professor of Sociology of Cultural and Communicative Processes, University of Bologna; François-Xavier Bellamy, Member of the European Parliament, French philosopher and intellectual; Joseph H.H. Weiler, University Professor at NYU Law School and Senior Fellow at the Center for European Studies at Harvard. Moderated by Andrea Simoncini, Vice President of Fondazione Meeting per l’amicizia fra i popoli ETS, Constitutional Law Professor, University of Florence.

The culture of cancellation, also known as “cancel culture,” is a disturbing and overwhelming phenomenon. This expression refers to the widespread tendency, present not only on the internet but also in many physical social environments, to remove or “cancel” individuals, companies, books, and films that are deemed guilty of promoting values contrary to minority rights, gender equality, equality in general, and what is referred to as “political correctness.” From the world of cinema to universities, from schools to cultural spaces, there is a growing push to eliminate thoughts and ideas—and especially the people who hold them—considered contrary to the basic principles of coexistence, common values, and fundamental freedoms. The paradox is that in defending freedom, the right to express oneself is denied. It is an absolute failure of education to have to “cancel” someone or something so that certain ideas do not spread—assuming that it is always right and indisputable to cancel them. To discuss this terrible paradox, which puts contemporary freedom at risk of self-destruction, three prominent figures will participate: Sergio Belardinelli, sociologist; Joseph Weiler, jurist; and Francois-Xavier Bellamy, Member of the European Parliament.