The celebrations dedicated to the International Mountain Day 2025, promoted by the United Nations and this year focused on the role of glaciers and the need to strengthen awareness, skills, and collaboration for the protection of mountain territories, concluded today. The UNIMONT Center of the University of Milan was engaged in a comprehensive program of initiatives for the occasion.
On the morning of December 11, Prof. Anna Giorgi, head of the UNIMONT Center at the University of Milan, took part in the international online event promoted by the Faculty of Mining-Geology and Sustainable Mountain Development of the Georgian Technical University in Tbilisi, dedicated to the theme “Glaciers matter for water, food and livelihoods in mountains and beyond.” Her contribution enriched the scientific and institutional dialogue connecting mountain communities from different countries, highlighting the role of research and knowledge in the management of Alpine and mountain systems.
In the afternoon of December 11, in Edolo, the meeting “Unique Territories, Common Challenges: Knowledge and Awareness as Keys to the Future of Mountains” was held. It brought together national and regional institutional representatives, climate and glaciology experts, research institutions, and stakeholders involved in mountain area safety. The discussion explored current dynamics in mountain ecosystems and addressed priorities to strengthen resilience, innovation, and cohesion in Alpine communities. In conclusion, Prof. Giorgi presented the Mountain Innovation Hub – MIH, the digital platform developed under the PNRR Agritech program to make data, tools, and resources accessible for the sustainable development of mountain territories.
On December 11 and 12, UNIMONT also participated in institutional initiatives organized by the Department for Regional Affairs and Autonomies of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers in Belluno and Cortina, bringing together representatives from regions, autonomous provinces, local administrations, and actors from the national Alpine system. Today in Cortina, Prof. Giorgi spoke on the panel dedicated to “Youth and Traditional Mountain Entrepreneurship,” sharing UNIMONT’s experience in strengthening skills for generational turnover, promoting local supply chains, and developing models of growth where knowledge, innovation, and traditional expertise intersect. The meetings, concluded by the intervention of the Minister for Regional Affairs and Autonomies, Sen. Roberto Calderoli, represented a strategic opportunity to discuss the future of mountain areas, also in view of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
