Cities are gaining importance and influence worldwide.
They sustain the global economy, set cultural trends, produce greenhouse gas emissions and consume energy; they attract migration flows and foster new political waves. While cities were supposed to be declining back in the 1980s, the globalised economy has established them as crucial world hubs leading billions of people on every continent, both at the top and the bottom of the social ladder, to move to cities. Today, global cities cry out for a more prominent role. But why and to what extent do they matter? Can they really stand alone in the global arena? How are they interacting with governments and multilateral organisations? From climate change to connectivity, from inequalities to migration: what is their contribution to key global challenges?
ISPI. The Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) is an independent think tank dedicated to being a resource for government officials, business executives, journalists, civil servants students and the public at large wishing to better understand international issues. It monitors geopolitical areas as well as major trends in international affairs. Founded in Milan in 1934, ISPI is the only Italian Institute – and one of the few in Europe – to place research activities side by side to training, organization of international conferences, and the analysis of the international environment for businesses. Comprehensive interdisciplinary analysis is achieved through close collaboration with experts (academics and non-academics alike) in political, economic, legal, historical and strategic studies and through an evergrowing network of think tanks, research centers, and Universities in Europe and beyond.
Majiji yanapata umaana na uvutano ulimwenguni pote. "Wanaendeleza uchumi wa dunia, wanaweka mwelekeo wa utamaduni, hutokeza gesi za chafu na hutumia nishati; wanavutia wimbi la uhamiaji na kukuza mawimbi mapya ya kisiasa.""" Ingawa miji ilidhaniwa kuwa inashuka nyuma katika miaka ya 1980, uchumi wa kimataifa umewaweka kama vituo muhimu vya ulimwengu vinavyoongoza mabilioni ya watu katika kila bara, wote juu na chini ya ngazi ya kijamii, kuhamia miji. Leo, majiji ya ulimwenguni pote yanahitaji kuwa na fungu muhimu zaidi. Lakini kwa nini na kwa kadiri gani zina maana? Je, kweli wanaweza kusimama peke yao katika uwanja wa kimataifa? Wanaingilianaje na serikali na mashirika ya kimataifa? Kutoka mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa hadi kuunganishwa, kutoka ukosefu wa usawa hadi uhamiaji: ni nini mchango wao kwa changamoto kuu za kimataifa? ISPI (ISP) Taasisi ya Italia ya Mafunzo ya Siasa ya Kimataifa (ISPI) ni taasisi ya kutafakari huru iliyojitolea kuwa rasilimali kwa maafisa wa serikali, watendaji wa biashara, waandishi wa habari, wanafunzi wa watumishi wa umma na umma kwa ujumla wanaotaka kuelewa vizuri masuala ya kimataifa. Inasimamia maeneo ya kijiografia na kisiasa na pia mwenendo mkubwa katika masuala ya kimataifa. Ilianzishwa katika Milan mwaka 1934, ISPI ni tu Italia Taasisi na moja ya wachache katika Ulaya kuweka shughuli za utafiti kando kando na mafunzo, shirika la mikutano ya kimataifa, na uchambuzi wa mazingira ya kimataifa kwa ajili ya biashara. Uchambuzi wa kina wa interdisciplinary unapatikana kupitia ushirikiano wa karibu na wataalamu (wa kitaaluma na wasio wa kitaaluma) katika masomo ya kisiasa, kiuchumi, kisheria, kihistoria na kimkakati na kupitia mtandao unaokua wa think tanks, vituo vya utafiti na vyuo vikuu huko Ulaya na zaidi.