In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA); Antonella Sciarrone Alibrandi, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education and Professor of Economics Law at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore; Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Welcome speech by Luca Beccari, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, International Economic Cooperation, and Telecommunications of the Republic of San Marino. Introduced by Bernhard Scholz, President of the Meeting Foundation for Friendship among Peoples ETS. Moderated by Wael Farouq, Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore.

On one hand, globalization has brought different cultures closer together; however, in some expressions, it has also contributed to their relativization. Yet, it is precisely the authenticity of each religious and cultural expression that makes it interesting and often fascinating. It is not flattening, but in-depth exploration that enriches the encounter between cultures and makes it valuable for everyone. The visit of the Meeting Foundation to the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF), one of the largest book fairs globally, was an extraordinary experience of this friendship between cultures. Together with Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, which has been collaborating with the Sharjah Book Fair, and the founder of the Kalam Foundation, we aim to document the possibility of friendship between cultures that nurture friendship themselves. In this context, the perspective and actions implemented by International Cooperation as drivers of development, enrichment of relationships, and active support for culture are fundamental.