Conversations That Matter is a series of public programs that builds on the innovative but often-specialized work that takes place in the studies, studios, lecture hall, library, and auditorium of the American Academy in Rome. The series invites participants to communicate the general relevancy of their work to an audience that reaches beyond the scholarly and artistic fields of the American Academy. The aim of the program is to engage a diverse external audience in the Academy’s ongoing scholarly and creative dialogue.

This edition of Conversations That Matter will feature a discussion on the top political, cultural, and economic challenges currently facing Italy.

American Academy in Rome Director Christopher S. Celenza, FAAR’94, will lead the discussion. Scheduled panelists include:

• Rachel Donadio, Rome Bureau Chief of The New York Times, responsible for Italy, the Vatican, and the broader southern Mediterranean
• Miguel Gotor, Professor of Modern History at the University of Turin and editorialist for la Repubblica
• David I. Kertzer, RAAR’00, Paul Dupee, Jr. University Professor of Social Science at Brown University (an authority on Italian history, politics, society, and demographics)
• Sylvia Poggioli, Senior European Correspondent for the foreign desk of National Public Radio (NPR), covering news in Italy, the Vatican, Western Europe, and the Balkans

The principal language of the discussion will be English. Simultaneous translation will be available. This program is funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.