The FMA organised a special study visit to Italy from 1 to 13 April 2025, as part of its partnership with the Association of Former Canadian Parliamentarians (CAFP). The programme featured a wide range of meetings, events, conferences and seminars in which both delegations took an active part. The 15-member delegation, led by CAFP President Emeritus Leo Duguay and FMA Vice-President Monica Baldi, visited Rome, Florence and Siena.
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Delegation of the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians in Italy
Among the highlights of this visit were the following key meetings:
Policy Debate at Europa Experience – David Sassoli in Rome (2 April 2025)
Europa Experience – David Sassoli of Rome hosted an important meeting between our Association of Former Members of the European Parliament (EP_FMA) and the Canadian Association of Former Parliamentarians (CAFP).
The event marked the first official meeting between the two delegations in Italy. A moment of dialogue aimed at strengthening transatlantic relations and discussing current global challenges.
After the introduction by llaria Garampi from the European Parliament Liaison Office in Italy, Monica Baldi, Vice-President EP_FMA; Leo Dugay, President CAFP, Elvira Marasco, President Women20 Italy, took the floor. The participants engaged in an exchange of views on the new economic and geopolitical dynamics, structural transformations and challenges to international governance. The event represented a unique opportunity to explore the role of parliamentary co-operation and strengthen the ties between Europe and Canada.
FMA Members and CAFP delegation in European Experience meeting room in Rome. Vice President Monica BALDI in the middle of the group photo with CAFP delegation’s leader Leo DUGUAY and EPLO’s representative Ilaria GARAMPI.
| “We have ties of freedom with Canada, feelings that we have in our hearts. We were born with the idea that Canada is our ally, it helped us during the war and with Italian immigration.” – Prof. Andrea Manzella, FMA Member |
Meeting in the Chamber of Deputies in Rome: Sala Della Lupa (3 April 2025)
On April 3rd 2025, there was a high-level political meeting on the initiative of EP_FMA with authoritative members of the Association of former Italian parliamentarians and the Delegation of former Canadian parliamentarians in the prestigious Sala della Lupa in the Chamber of Deputies.
The session opened with welcome speeches by Hon. Giuseppe Gargani, Hon. Monica Baldi, and Hon. Leo Duguay, and was followed by an open exchange of views among participants. Discussions focused on key issues concerning relations between Canada, Italy and the European Union, set against a backdrop of evolving trade dynamics and global governance challenges. A frank and engaging discussion on how to address the new tariff measures imposed overnight by Trump.
Members of the Italian Association of Former Parliamentarians, from the FMA and from CAFP in the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Sala della Lupa, in Rome. In the middle, FMA Vice President Monica BALDI, President of the Italian Association Giuseppe GARGANI, and CAFP President Leo DUGUAY.
High-Level Conference in Florence: A Changed World: Fostering Resilience in the New Global Order (7 April 2025)
This event, organised by the Florence School of Transnational Governance (EUI) in collaboration with the European Parliament Former Members Association (EP_FMA), brought together former Canadian and European policymakers, including prominent figures such as:
• Kim Campbell: 19th prime minister of Canada from June to November 1993. Campbell is the first and only female prime minister of Canada.
• Enrique Baròn Crespo, former President of the European Parliament, a prominent European political figure, with a career that includes strengthening European integration and promoting human rights and democracy.
• Danuta Hübner, former European Commissioner and member of EP_FMA, known for her work in European economic policies and governance. She served as president of the Committee on International Trade and is a key figure in global trade relations.
• Sir Graham Watson, former British Member of the European Parliament, known for his work in international politics, trade, and the environment, and his leadership on European and transatlantic cooperation issues.
In addition to these speakers, the seminar featured contributions from Arancha González Laya, one of the leading experts in international trade and former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Spain, and Gian Paolo Meneghini, a European Parliament Fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre (EUI).
| “This event provided a critical and urgent exchange between highly experienced political figures on one of the most important and concerning issues on the international agenda. Can Europe and Canada find a way to restore relations with Trump’s America, or should we prepare for the worst?” – Executive Director of the Florence School of Transnational Governance, Mr. Fabrizio Tassinari |
| “In this historic moment, in which significant epochal transformations are taking place, it was particularly interesting to engage in discussions with our Canadian colleagues and also hear the perspective from the academic world. We analysed the new commercial dynamics, structural changes, and the new governance challenges that could undermine global stability.” – Vice President of EP_FMA, Hon. Monica Baldi |
FMA Members with CAFP Delegation in the Florence School of Transnational Governance with Vice President Monica BALDI in the middle of the group photo with FMA Former President Enrique BARÓN CRESPO, Leo DUGUAY and FMA member Sir. Graham WATSON.
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