Public Academy for the Judiciary Special: Italy's fight against the mafia
| When: | Sa 13-09-2025 19:00 - 22:00 |
| Where: | Rabo Studio, Forum Groningen |
In the 1990s, the murders of Italian magistrates Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino shocked the world. Their fight against the Sicilian mafia—supported by courageous colleagues—forever changed the Italian judicial system and laid the foundation for today’s approach to organized crime. But the mafia has not disappeared.
What can the Netherlands learn from their approach? What lessons does the Italian experience offer—about crown witnesses, judicial courage, public support, and the resilience of the rule of law?
During this public evening, we will screen the powerful film Falcone e Borsellino – Il fuoco della memoria (2023), followed by a panel discussion with prominent guests from Italy and the Netherlands.
The public academy will be held in English. The film will be shown in Italian with English subtitles.
Programme
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7 p.m.
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Doors open & reception
Welcome at Forum Groningen |
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7.30 p.m.
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Opening
By Leonie Sinnema
Journalist at Dagblad van het Noorden & moderator
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7.35 p.m.
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Thematic introduction
Buy dr Laura Peters
Associate Professor of Criminal (Procedural) Law, Faculty of Law, University of Groningen
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7.40 p.m.
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Welcome speech
Augusto Massari, ambassador of Italy in The Netherlands |
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7.45 p.m.
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Explanation of the film
Prof. Costantino Visconti professor of criminal law, University of Palermo About the creation, context and meaning of the film |
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7.55 p.m.
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Film screening
Falcone e Borsellino – Il fuoco della memoria (approx. 60 minutes, with English subtitles)
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8.55 p.m.
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Break
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9.15 p.m.
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Panel discussion: Courage and the Rule of Law Under Pressure
Moderator: Leonie Sinnema With contributions from:
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9.50 p.m.
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Audience Q&A
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10 p.m.
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Closing
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The Public Academy for the Judiciary
The Public Academy for the Judiciary offers accessible lectures in response to the great public interest in the legal system. Experts such as judges, public prosecutors, and professors discuss legal topics that many people encounter in daily life. No prior knowledge of the law is required to follow the lectures.
The Public Academy for the Judiciary is a collaboration between the District Court of Northern Netherlands, the Faculty of Law at the University of Groningen, the Public Prosecution Service/District Prosecutor’s Office of Northern Netherlands, and the newspaper Dagblad van het Noorden.
