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STATUTE OF THE ASSOCIATION AND INTERNATIONAL WORKING GROUP MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE – COMEN FOR THE PROMOTION OF CULTURAL CENTRALITY, THE ENHANCEMENT OF RESOURCES, AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA

Article 1 – Constitution and name

The cultural Association “Mediterranean Conference, Association and International Working Group for the Promotion of Cultural Centrality, the Enhancement of Resources, and the Quality of Life in the Mediterranean Area,” acronym COMEN, was established in Rome by public deed executed by Notary Luigi Bonofiglio on January 22, 1994. The COMEN Members’ Assembly approves this Statute with the amendments and additions deemed necessary given the long period of time that has elapsed since its original constitution.

Article 2 – Registered Office, Branch Offices, and focal points

The Association’s registered office is in Italy (Sicily), in Comiso (RG), at Via Arch. Biagio Mancini, 26. Branch offices in Italy and Mediterranean countries, in addition to focal points, may be established by resolution of the Members’ Assembly.

Article 3 – Social purposes

The Association, hereinafter referred to as “COMEN,” is a non-profit, apolitical, and secular organization that respects and promotes intercultural dialogue among the religious faiths of the Mediterranean region. The Association’s activities are geared toward achieving the following goals:

1. 1. promoting an original and ongoing experience of international cooperation among all representative bodies, public and private entities operating in the fields of culture, science, technology, environmental protection, human health, the social economy, and strategies for the rational use of resources, to implement any initiative useful for affirming the cultural centrality of the Mediterranean Area, the peaceful coexistence of peoples, the protection and enhancement of cultural and environmental resources, the prevention of natural and anthropogenic risks, and the improvement of the quality of human life;

1. 1. promote, propose, and implement programs, strategic projects, and initiatives related to environmental, cultural, and social well-being development in Mediterranean countries, independently and/or with the collaboration and financial support of other public and private organizations operating at the national, European, and international levels (foreign global and Mediterranean states, the EU, regions, provinces, consortia, municipalities, universities, and scientific and technological research centers in the Euro-Mediterranean area);

1. 1. implement pilot and strategic projects, publishing and multimedia initiatives, video documentaries, training and outreach, and electronic and IT support dedicated to environmental protection and enhancement, and the development of multidisciplinary environmental monitoring activities, including for the promotion of cultural tourism and the socioeconomic development of communities living in the targeted areas.

1. 1. conducting research and publishing initiatives in the fields of history, arts, and popular traditions of Mediterranean countries, both locally and internationally, in order to disseminate knowledge of the region’s successive civilizations among younger generations, in collaboration with schools of all levels and other cultural organizations.

1. 1. organizing cultural events, seminars, conferences, and lectures in line with its statutory purposes, both nationally and internationally.

1. 1. promoting donations from any public or private organization aimed at achieving specific objectives of the association, such as supporting specific lines of scientific and technological research, acquiring resources and tools useful for carrying out its activities, such as the purchase or rental of vessels equipped for monitoring, vehicles and instrumental measurement systems, light aircraft and drones for environmental remote sensing, and the acquisition of satellite imagery useful for planned studies;

1. 1. establish scholarships and awards reserved for young people engaged in study and research, or for individuals or organizations distinguished by having provided significant contributions in terms of ideas and project actions within the scope of the association’s statutory objectives;

1. 1. organize and conduct the “Mediterranean Intercultural Colloquia” through its website (COMEN), promoting the direct participation of scientists, scholars, researchers, and cultural figures.

Article 4 – Duration of the Association

The duration of the Association is indefinite, unless dissolved by resolution of the Members’ Assembly.

Article 5 – Members of the Association

The Association’s members are divided into Ordinary, Supporting, Meritorious, and Student Members, who are required to pay the respective minimum membership fees established by the Assembly. “Meritorious” members of the association are individuals of particular importance who have collaborated in the Association’s activities. The nomination of a member as an honorary member is made by the President of COMEN after consulting the Board of Directors and the Committee. The President reserves the right to include as members of the Association individuals who have performed significant organizational, logistical, or instrumental collaboration, using their own skills and financial and material resources, without receiving any compensation or reimbursement for services rendered.

Article 6 – Association Bodies

The Association’s bodies are: Members’ Assembly – President – Board of Directors – Scientific Committee – Order of the Messengers of the Mediterranean.

The Ordinary Members’ Assembly: meets once a year upon convocation by the Association’s President via electronic means, sent to members at least thirty days prior to the meeting date, along with the relevant agenda. The notices specify the electronic platform and the relevant access method, as well as the date and time of the meeting. The Assembly will be deemed validly constituted at the first call if half of the members are present, while at the second call it will be deemed validly constituted regardless of the number of members present. The Assembly elects the President and the members of the Board of Directors by open ballot, discusses and promotes initiatives consistent with the Association’s statutory purposes, and approves the final budget and budget prepared by the Board of Directors. It approves any amendments or updates to the Bylaws and proposes to the President and other Association bodies any initiatives useful for improving the organization. They may be convened by the President.

An extraordinary Members’ Assembly may be convened by the President upon the reasoned request of at least one-third of the members in good standing with annual membership fees.

At ordinary and extraordinary Assemblies, other members may delegate their voting rights, provided that this is formalized and obtained by the President prior to the voting process. A maximum of two proxies are permitted for each member. To resolve on the dissolution of the Association, the presence of at least two-thirds of the members is required; in this case, proxies are not permitted.

The President holds office for five years and will remain in office until the election of a new President, who is sworn in before the Members’ Assembly. The President is the legal representative of the Association and has the power to sign in any venue. He or she guides the Association in achieving its goals, convenes and chairs the Members’ Assembly, the Board of Directors, and the Scientific Committee.

Eligibility requirements for the office of President are: having reached the age of forty on the date of the Assembly’s election, and having the Assembly approve the candidate’s candidacy, documented by a curriculum vitae and academic records, upon installation at the polling station. In the event of a tie between the candidates, the oldest candidate will be elected President.

The first founding President of the Association, former President of the Fondazione Mediterranea, which inspired the founding of COMEN, holds office for life, unless he or she formally resigns, which the Assembly will acknowledge and proceed with a new election.

The Board of Directors is composed of the Association’s President, who chairs it, a Secretary General, a Treasurer, and two members, for a total of five members. The Board of Directors is elected by the Members’ Assembly and is responsible for managing the Association’s organization in accordance with its statutory purposes. It decides on the administration of financial resources from members and any other public or private sources, accepting or rejecting donations and financial contributions with full transparency, evaluating their source and motivation. The Secretary General is appointed by the Board of Directors upon the President’s recommendation and replaces the President in representing COMEN whenever he or she is unable to be present.

The Board of Directors drafts and updates the Association’s Internal Regulations at the times and in the manner deemed appropriate.

The Board of Directors maintains relations with the Scientific Committee and oversees any other initiative aimed at achieving the statutory objectives.

The Treasurer oversees the accounting, prepares and updates documentation, and prepares the annual budget, which is approved by the Members’ Meeting. Board of Directors members receive no compensation or attendance fees for meetings. If one or more members of the Board of Directors are involved in planning and managing funded projects in a professional capacity, they may receive the appropriate compensation upon proper invoicing to the funding, commissioning, or affiliated organizations. The Board of Directors, if deemed necessary, may decide to engage financial advisors or accountants for the financial management of projects or initiatives and for the related reporting.

Auditor. The Association’s Board of Directors will appoint an Auditor if the limits set by the Third Sector Code (ETS) are exceeded for two consecutive financial years.

The Scientific Committee is composed of a minimum of five and a maximum of fifteen high-profile figures from the cultural, scientific, and business worlds, appointed directly by the Association’s President and approved by the Board of Directors. The members of the Scientific Committee, individually or as a group, voluntarily offer their experience and knowledge to the Association’s President and Board of Directors regarding ongoing initiatives and projects, consistent with the statutory purposes. They represent the Association’s International Working Group in cultural and scientific matters. They also have the power to propose project initiatives that may be approved by the Board of Directors and to draft presentations, recommendations, guidelines, and references regarding the Association’s initiatives. The members of the Scientific Committee hold office for five years and may be reappointed by the Association’s President. The Scientific Committee is convened by the Association’s President in plenary session at least once a year. Members may attend in person or remotely, subject to prior electronic convocation by the President. Scientific Committee members do not receive any compensation or attendance fees.

The Order of the Messengers of the Mediterranean (ORIONMED) is an honorary body open to distinguished members from the worlds of culture and science, with ties to the sea through their experience in civil, military, sporting, and navigation institutions.

The Order’s purpose is to promote maritime culture, particularly the Mediterranean, knowledge of the great civilizations that have existed since ancient times, the preservation of archaeological, architectural, artistic, and monumental heritage, and the experiences gained in the fields of science, technology, and policy dedicated to the protection of environmental resources and biodiversity, in all possible forms of knowledge and cultural engagement. Membership is also open to individuals who have carried out significant organizational, outreach, and propulsive activities within COMEN. Members of the Order who meet the requirements set out in the relevant Internal Regulations are appointed by the President of COMEN, who presides over the Order, after consulting the Board of Directors and the Scientific Council. Members of the Order are entitled to wear the insignia of the Order at official COMEN events.

Article 7 – Assets

The Association’s assets consist of membership fees, profits from association activities, and any other voluntary contributions, donations, grants, and bequests from public and private entities, both nationally and internationally. All financial resources derived from the assets of the COMEN Association will be used exclusively to achieve its objectives.

Article 8 – Financial year

The financial year ends on December 31st of each year. Within 60 days of the end of the financial year, the Treasurer prepares the final budget and the budget for the following financial year.

Article 9 – Reference to legal provisions

For any matters not provided for in these Bylaws, reference shall be made to the legislation in force in Italy.

The President Francesco Venerando Mantegna

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION

The international Association COMEN announces the upcoming start of the “Mediterranean Intercultural Dialogues” for the two-year period 2024-2025 with the general theme:

“Artificial intelligence and scenarios: will it be a better world?”

with the related thematic areas of cultural comparison. Participation is open to speakers identified by the COMEN International Working Group and to anyone else who requests participation.

Thematic introduction

The application of Artificial Intelligence now affects and characterizes the global scenario in all fields of social organisation: from industrial production technologies to medicine, from the legal world to that of schools, from scientific research to communication and computer-generated imagery.

There are many benefits and prospects for such applications; however, regulation is necessary in order to avoid improper uses if not contrary to ethical values. Work is underway in this direction through specific bodies at the United Nations, EU and in Italy. Complex matter, considering the quantity and finalization of the possible applications, starting from military uses or by terrorist organizations.

Another important aspect is that of the protection of privacy and fundamental human rights, especially in relation to the use of AI applications in the management of databases available to the public administration, which are subject to quite a few serious violations as recent news shows.

One of the most significant risk scenarios is that of achieving forms of total control of individual behavior, managed electronically with AI applications, influencing and conditioning people’s freedom for sociopolitical or commercial purposes. We already see it with the extensive application of cookies on the web and the immediacy of interconnections by competing entities.

Cybercrime hacking activities are a very present and organized reality in the world of information technology, to achieve objectives of various kinds, especially speculative but also of a criminal nature, in particular with regard to fragile people such as the elderly and children. The world of childhood and compulsory schooling is particularly exposed to improper use of AI, with virtual simulation in pornography and pedophilia.

The use of the numerous databases already present in our system, with the “intelligent” cross-referencing of contents, represents one of the concrete risks in the future.

Aware of these potential critical issues, the bodies specifically established within the United Nations, EU and Italy are working in order to arrive at appropriate regulatory forms.

However, the matter is so delicate that it requires the attention and active participation in the debate on the part of qualified representatives of the cultural, scientific and institutional world. The Mediterranean Intercultural Discussions 2024-2025 are oriented in this direction.

Thematic areas

in the quality of life of the person, in the family, in school, in communication and in the behavioral sphere

in dialogue between peoples, overcoming conflicts, the defense of human rights and Peace

in contrasting social critical issues, for order and security, application risks of AI

in the world of humanistic culture, ethical values and identity roots, science and advanced technologies

in the world of work and employment

in the governance of territories and the protection of environmental resources

in the management of the prevention of natural and anthropogenic risks

In regulatory aspects: the United Nations Committee on AI, the EU Artificial Intelligence Act and the AI Commission for information in Italy.

Method of presentation of interventions:

• • max 4 pages in Word with 2-2-2-2 sheet margin layout, Times New Roman font, body 11, max 50 lines, including any graphics and illustrations.

• • Delivery terms: open until a date to be established.

• • Address for submitting works: comen@comen-fondazionemediterranea.org

• • COMEN website: https://comen-fondazionemediterranea.org/home/

• •  

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CONFERENZA MEDITERRANEA – COMEN (Italy)

IBAN: IT35Z0760117000001069946653

Welcome friends!

The circulation of ideas, the history of civilizations, the quality of life in peaceful coexistence, the beauty of the environment, the growth of local societies in a process of sustainable development, are the cardinal points of the Association.
COMEN believes in the joy of living as an indispensable right of the human person. Anyone who shares these principles, shunning any fanaticism or cultural abuse, will be welcomed into the Association and will become a participant or promoter of initiatives, projects and events.

The Association was born out of the “Kamárina Memorandum of Understanding” (Sicily, 1993), on the occasion of the International Mediterranean Meeting organized by the Mediterranean Foundation, which was attended by numerous representatives of institutions, universities, associations, diplomats, scholars and observers. Aware of the importance of Mediterranean culture in the process of changing world society, they signed the constitution of the “International Working Group” dedicated to the emerging issues of the Mediterranean Area and subsequently, on January 22, 1994, a public act was established in Rome “COMEN – International Association and Working Group for the Promotion of Cultural Centrality, the Enhancement of Common Resources and the Quality of Life in the Mediterranean Area “, without any profit.

In 1998 in Palermo, Castel Utveggio, with the active involvement of the Presidency of the Region, COMEN organized and directed the memorable event “Mediterranean III Millennium, before Man – Intercultural Talks” which was attended by illustrious representatives of almost all Mediterranean countries, including which Predrag Matvejević author of “Mediterranean Breviary”, Paolo Ungari, Franco Garbaccio, Antonio Giornelli, Michael Soudarskis, Carlo Russo, Enrico Molinaro, Nead Abdel Latif, Josè Joaquin Porras, Enrico Vinci, Tarik Mira, Rafael Fellah, Tanouti Boumediene, Josè Louis Gotor, Jan Refalo, Andrea Karajannis, Michele Capasso, Donato Matassino, Baldassare Messina and others.

The President Francesco Venerando Mantegna

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