Wise Town Manifesto — Matera & Ascea Marina, Italy
13–17 May 2026
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The Wise Town Manifesto defines a new territorial paradigm that moves beyond efficiency-driven models toward context-aware, regenerative, and place-based development.

It brings together scientific insight and institutional commitment to enable cooperative, resilient, and structurally diverse local futures.

A call to move beyond sameness. A call to build places that can endure, learn, and remain meaningful.

14 May 2026
The Wise Town pathway opens in Matera.
15 May 2026
The Wise Town Manifesto is launched in Ascea Marina, Italy.
Featured Event

WISE TOWN MANIFESTO

International Academic Mission within the TNE NEW SEASON Framework and Institutional Launch of the Wise Town Manifesto in Italy

Location
Matera – Paestum – Ascea Marina, Italy
Date
13–17 May 2026
Organiser
Korea, China, Italy & partner universities (TNE NEW SEASON)

The Wise Town Manifesto marks a shift from "smart" systems to "wise" approaches that connect data with meaning, enabling context-driven judgment, learning, and sustainable development.

Bringing together researchers, institutions, and local stakeholders, it explores how place-based knowledge can shape more adaptive, human-centered communities.

Through dialogue, field visits, and the launch of the Wise Town Manifesto, the event fosters collaboration to build resilient, coexisting, and structurally distinctive local ecosystems.

Programme Schedule

13 May 2026 Day 1
Matera
  • Arrival of participants
14 May 2026 Day 2
University of Basilicata · Matera Campus
AM
  • Registration and Opening
  • Scientific Round Table
  • Open discussion and concluding remarks
  • Networking lunch
PM
  • Institutional & Cultural Visit — Sassi of Matera
  • Transfer to Paestum
  • Institutional Dinner
15 May 2026 Manifesto Launch
From Smart Cities to Wise Towns
Public and Institutional Launch in Italy
Ascea Marina (SA), Italy · Fondazione Alario per Elea-Velia

The institutional day marking the public launch of the Wise Towns Manifesto in Italy — on the grounds of ancient Elea, where European philosophy found one of its earliest homes.

AM
  • Transfer from Paestum to Marina
  • Registration and Opening
  • Parallel scientific-institutional sessions
  • Institutional Lunch
PM
  • Plenary Session — Presentation of the Wise Towns Manifesto
  • Institutional Interventions
  • Official Signing of the Manifesto
  • Return to Paestum / Social Dinner
An Initiative by
Prof. Giovanni Quaranta · Prof. Rosanna Salvia · Prof. Kwanphil Cho
University of Basilicata · Handong Global University (Republic of Korea)
Closing Remarks & Institutional Addresses
Roberto Fico President of the Campania Region
Angelica Saggese Regional Minister for Labour and Training, Campania Region
16 May 2026 Day 4
Paestum & Cilento
  • Cultural and territorial study visits — heritage and community-based regeneration
17 May 2026 Day 5
  • Departure of participants
Get in Touch

Join the Wise Town
Movement.

For partnership inquiries, academic collaboration, or to learn more about the Wise Town Manifesto and our global network — reach out to us.

Physical Address
C.da San Licandro n 1
84029, Sicignano degli Alburni (SA)
Italy
Website
www.medes.eu
Phone
+39 0828 1897221
Contact Us