In today’s context of increasing fragmentation of the global order and the return of power logics, the principles and values that guided international relations after World War II are being severely tested. For decades democracy, human rights, justice and solidarity were the pillars of an imperfect but shared multilateral system, today their maintenance seems increasingly burdensome. The emergence of new actors, the redefinition of global balances and the widespread perception that adherence to certain principles imposes unsustainable costs pose crucial questions about the future of international governance.
The 16th edition of the Festival of Diplomacy, to be held Oct. 14-24, 2025, will address the issue of the cost of principles in international relations: what economic, political and strategic sacrifices are required to defend a world order based on shared values? Is it still possible to combine idealism and political realism? And what alternatives lie ahead in a world where national interests seem to take precedence over all other considerations?
The event’s debates will analyze the contrast between ideals traditionally considered universal and current geopolitical dynamics, with a focus on the challenges that actors such as the European Union, the United Nations and liberal democracies face in preserving a model of governance based on shared rules and principles.
THE BIG THEMES OF THE FESTIVAL
To structure the debate and delve into the different dimensions of the problem, the 16th edition of the Festival will be structured around four macro-themes, each addressed in a series of panels and meetings with experts, policy makers and academics.
Western democracies are increasingly faced with difficult choices: defend their own founding principles or privilege political and economic pragmatism? From relations with autocracies to security and energy choices, the cost of respecting democratic values clashes with the need to preserve stability and competitiveness.
Discussion topics:
– The contradictions in the foreign policy of democracies: between human rights and
realpolitik
– The case of international sanctions: effectiveness and economic consequences
– The role of the private sector: companies between ethics and interest
Multilateral institutions, from the UN to the WTO, seem less and less able to respond to global challenges. The erosion of international consensus on the founding values of cooperation risks rendering global governance mechanisms ineffective. The discussion will focus on possibilities for reform and the future of multilateralism.
Discussion topics:
– The UN and the power dilemma: reform or outgrow the Security Council?
– The WTO crisis: the return of protectionism and the risk of economic fragmentation
– Regionalism vs. multilateralism: a sustainable alternative?
The competition between models of governance has returned to the center of the international scene. The increasing assertiveness of autocracies such as China and Russia and their attempt to propose an alternative order raise crucial questions about the sustainability of liberal democracy and the ability to attract new allies.
Discussion topics:
– Soft power and global narratives: how autocracies rewrite the rules of the game
– The role of technologies: state surveillance vs. individual freedoms
– Democracy in crisis? Decline of public trust and disinformation
From humanitarian aid to migration crisis management, from military interventions to
energy transition policies, maintaining an international order based on shared principles
comes at a high cost. But who is willing to support it? And what are the economic and strategic implications of these choices?
Discussion topics:
– Does collective security come at a price? The financing of missions international
– The European Union and the dilemma of solidarity: migration, aid and responsibilities
– The ecological transition between ethical necessity and global competition International cooperation and geopolitical spheres of influence
THE KEYWORDS OF THE XVI EDITION OF THE FESTIVAL
As every year, in 2025 the scheduled events will delve not only into the main theme but also into some related keywords, which will allow us to explore some particularly relevant aspects in the current conjuncture.
For this year’s edition, the keywords will be:
The Future of Europe (The Future of Europe)
The value of democracy (Democracy: still a value?)
The future of multilateralism (Multilateralism: still alive tomorrow?)
Toward autocracy? (Are autocracies in advantage?)
The role of civil societies
The new Transatlantic Relations (The new Transatlantic Relations)
Other Topics
Defense and Security; Space Research and Domination; Mattei Plan; Human Rights; Rule of Law; Peace; Fighting Inequality; National Identity; Culture; Disinformation; Energy; Sustainability; European Enlargement; etc., etc.
Conclusions
The 16th edition of the Festival of Diplomacy will provide a unique opportunity to discuss some of the most pressing issues in international politics. If the cost of defending principles appears increasingly high, the risk of a world without shared values may prove even higher. The collective reflection that will emerge from the debates will help outline possible paths for a new balance between realism and idealism in international relations.
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