Traditionally, discussions on cultural diplomacy have been framed by academics and seasoned diplomats. However, contemporary diplomacy is evolving, and the role of youth leaders, municipal governance, and regional cooperation is becoming increasingly significant. This roundtable will challenge conventional diplomatic frameworks by integrating young politicians, regional representatives, and cultural stakeholders into the discussion, thereby demonstrating the power of intergenerational diplomacy.

This session will explore how cultural diplomacy can be more inclusive and dynamic, engaging both institutional leaders and emerging voices who are shaping international cultural relations. We will particularly focus on twinning agreements between municipalities and UNESCO cultural sites as effective diplomatic tools, using the proposed Turin Fenestrelle–Great Wall of China twinning agreement as a case study.

The discussion will serve as a live demonstration of modern cultural diplomacy, where policymakers, young leaders, and regional actors collaborate to redefine the future of international cultural engagement. By integrating municipal governance, youth activism, and interregional partnerships, this session will set a new precedent in academic and diplomatic discussions.

Biographies

Milica Papić

Ms Milica Papić is currently the Director of the Belgrade Youth Office within the City Administration of Belgrade, Serbia. Prior to this role, she gained extensive experience at the National Bank of Serbia, where she served as a Supervisor and earlier as a Junior Financial Analyst in the Market Risk Group within the Department for Supervision of Voluntary Pension Funds.

In addition to her public sector work, Ms Papić is engaged in academia. She most recently held the position of Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, Serbia, where she taught Project Management. She is currently a PhD candidate in Economics at the same institution, with an academic record marked by excellence. She previously completed her Master’s and Bachelor’s studies in Finance, Banking, and Insurance at the University of Belgrade.

Ms Papić has participated in several international programmes, including the 2024 Seminar for Serbian Female Politicians in China and the 2023 “How Europe Works” conferences in Vienna, Italy and Brussels, Belgium, organised by the Robert Schuman Institute.

Her professional and academic interests lie at the intersection of public policy, financial systems, and youth development.

Riccardo Travaglini

Mr Riccardo Travaglini began his career as an accounting consultant in Italy, specialising in start-ups and subsidised loans. In 2019, he relocated to Malta and joined the General Workers Union (GWU), where he has held various roles. As a business developer and project manager, he facilitated GWU's integration into the European Employment Services (EURES) network, contributing to the execution of numerous European projects. He also established international agreements with both private and public entities.

In the field of international relations, as President of IRTUC Italy-Malta, Mr Travaglini focuses on maintaining excellent relationships and fostering collaborations with Italian trade unions. In this capacity, he represents GWU and IRTUC at the European coordination meetings of ETUC (European Trade Union Confederation), facilitating dialogue, information exchange, and joint actions among the various IRTUCs across Europe. Additionally, he represents GWU within ETUC's Trade and External Affairs Commission, discussing ETUC's external relations, analysing trade agreements between the EU and other countries, drafting responses to the European Commission, and establishing subcommissions to accompany EU negotiators on international missions.

Mr Travaglini is a member of the Information Commission within the European Labour Authority (ELA), contributing to discussions and initiatives regarding labour-related information dissemination.

Giorgio Tenneroni

Mr Giorgio Tenneroni is the current President of the Municipal Council of Todi, Italy. Since April 2025, he has also been the Coordinator of ANCI Giovani Umbria, the regional commission of young local councillors and mayors. He studies Law at the University of Perugia, Italy. His first paper, “Vita umana e dignità: un dialogo tra etica e diritto” was recently published in the international scientific journal Medicina e Morale (2024).

Mr Tenneroni’s interest in a political and administrative career began in 2018, when he was elected as president of the student council in his high school. In 2019, he was elected as student representative in the Provincial Student Council of Perugia and Representative Deputy and President of the Council’s school building commission. In 2022, he was elected as a member of the City Council of his hometown, Todi, becoming the youngest City Councilor in the history of the City; he was also at the time the youngest elected councilor in charge in the Umbria Region. In 2023, he was appointed as President of the City Council of Todi, becoming the youngest President of a City Council in Italy.

He has spoken at major national and international conferences with notable figures such as art critic Vittorio Sgarbi and Capitano Ultimo, an expert on anti-mafia policy. He has also participated in international meetings as a speaker, including the 2024 Global Forum on Hehe Culture in Tiantai-Taizhou, China and the Second World Meeting on Human Fraternity in Rome, Italy and Vatican City, where he spoke on a panel alongside the mayors of New York and Rome.

Paolo Sabbatini

Professor Paolo Sabbatini is currently Ambassador for Cultural Communications between Italy and China at the World Sinology Center, China. He is also an emeritus senior member of the Italian Foreign Service and an International Spokesperson for Public and Cultural Diplomacy, interacting with entities such as the European Union and the United Nations. As such, he teaches how to incorporate diplomacy and international relations in every field of culture and economics. Ambassador Sabbatini is a member of several academic institutions, among which the Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia, Italy; ECPD/UPeace University established by the United Nations in Belgrade, Serbia; and several Chinese universities.

About the Presenter(s)
-Ms Milica Papić is currently the Director of the Belgrade Youth Office within the City Administration of Belgrade, Serbia.
-Mr Riccardo Travaglini began his career as an accounting consultant in Italy, specialising in start-ups and subsidised loans.
-Mr Giorgio Tenneroni is the current President of the Municipal Council of Todi, Italy.
-Professor Paolo Sabbatini is currently Ambassador for Cultural Communications between Italy and China at the World Sinology Center, China.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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