Advanced Training - Critical Global Studies: Mediterranean Crossroads

September 26 - October 1, 2025

Various times

Sousse, Tunisia

“Critical Global Studies - Mediterranean Crossroads: Border Studies, Memory, and Post-Colonial Approaches”

UNIVERSITY OF PARMA – UNIVERSITY OF SOUSSE

ACHIEVE-IT Project (Academic Collaboration through Higher International Education for a Viable and Equitable Africa with Italy) Erasmus + \ PNRR

GENERAL COURSE STRUCTURE

Educational Objectives

The course aims to:

Develop a critical understanding of the dynamics that cross the Mediterranean space starting from interconnected and non-Eurocentric interpretative lenses
Co-construct a shared vocabulary on the themes of borders, memory and post-colonial approaches and on the links between decolonization and mobility justice
Create a transnational research network that reflects on contemporary forms of mobility in the Mediterranean from a post-colonial perspective
Produce a collective publication (dictionary/counter-dictionary) as a tangible output

Thematic Modules

Module 1: Border Studies and the Mediterranean

Dynamics and functionalities of borders in the Mediterranean context
EU border externalization processes and policies
Analysis of migration routes
Dimensions of solidarity
Practical case studies with local organizations

Module 2: Memory Studies

Contrasting narratives on migration in the Mediterranean: institutional, media and popular perspectives
Struggles to gain voice and recognition, analysis of silenced narratives. Networks of families and associations of disappeared people in the Mediterranean
Forensic medicine and work for/on memory
Collaborative work with organizations dealing with memory and support groups

Module 3: Post-Colonial Studies

Contemporary manifestations of colonial legacy: desire, power and subaltern conditions
Subaltern perspectives on history and knowledge production
African authors and post-colonial approaches from participants’ countries of origin
The Southern Italian question from a post-colonial perspective
Decolonial approaches from participants’ countries of origin

Module 4: Post-Colonial Imaginaries on the Future of EuroAfrica

Representations of the future, performing arts, new youth cultures
Critical and alternative development models
Visions regarding mobility justice and future possibilities
The Mediterranean as an ecological issue

Teaching Methodology

33% Theoretical lectures: Masterclasses and guided debates
33% Interactive workshops: Case analysis, group work, practical exercises
33% Field experiences: Meetings with local organizations, activists and artists

DETAILED PROGRAM

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2025 – DAY 0

14:00 | Opening

Presentations. Each participant presents their field of work
First informal meeting between participants and organizers
Presentation of the week’s program
Distribution of welcome kit with course materials

20:30 | Informal welcome dinner

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2025 - DAY 1

Module 1: Border Studies

10:00-10:30 | Institutional greetings

Greetings from the University of Sousse representative
Presentation of the ACHIEVE-IT project
Course objectives and methodology

10:30 | Masterclasses: “Mediterranean borders: material dynamics and imaginaries”

The Mediterranean as a stratified border space
Historical evolution of border regimes
Tunisia as a case study
Debate

15:00 Panel Discussion: “EU border externalization processes”

Brief presentations (15 min) by 3 participants on their national contexts
Comparative analysis of migration policies
Debate

17:30 | Workshop: Analysis of migration routes

What do we mean by “routes”? Participatory mapping
Analysis of involved actors
Dimensions of transnational solidarity
Focus on terminology related to Border studies
Collective elaboration of definitions
Integration with the first 5 words

Evening | Dinner with Special event: Film/documentary screening

Viewing of a documentary on Mediterranean migrations
Discussion with the director (if available) or guided debate

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 - DAY 2

Module 2: Memory Studies

9:30 | Masterclasses: “Contested narratives on/in the Mediterranean”

Institutional narratives vs. grassroots narratives
The role of media in memory construction
Silences and oblivion in memory policies
Debate

12:30 | First Meeting with associations dealing with migrants’ rights

Intervention by representatives of families of the disappeared associations
Resistance and claim strategies
Participatory discussion
Lunch together

15:30 | Workshop: Collective memory practices with associations

Biographical and collective memory exercises
Oral story collection techniques
Construction of counter-narratives
Focus on concepts related to memory and testimony

20:30 | Activities with associations

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 - DAY 3

Module 3: Post-Colonial Studies

9:30 | Masterclasses: “Colonial legacies in the present Mediterranean”

Contemporary manifestations of the colonial
Decolonization of knowledge and practices
Africa and decolonial approaches
Case studies
Debate

14:30 | Field visits - Accompanists: Teachers + Local guides

Parallel options:

Visit to Association for migrants’ rights
- Meeting with operators and hosted people
- Participant observation of activities
Visit to Cultural/artistic center
- Meeting with artists working on migration themes
- Creative workshop
Visit to Grassroots organization
- Dialogue with local activists
- Participation in community activities

20:30 | Dinner and collective sharing of experiences lived during the day

Discussion on observations made and critical reflections on observed practices, in connection with theoretical modules
Artistic presentation on course themes
Dialogue with local artists and performers

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 30 - DAY 4

Module 4: Africa looks at Europe: social imaginaries and future scenarios

9:30 | Masterclasses: “What scenarios open up? How to imagine the future of mobility starting from Africa’s future?”

Africa and decolonial approaches
Youth cultures and visions of the future
Feminist approaches to mobility justice
The ecological question
Case studies

15:30 | Workshop: Thinking a Counter-dictionary “Decolonizing Mediterranean Crossroads” Facilitators: All teachers

Which words cannot be missing?
Writing exercises
Identification of possible publishers/platforms

Evening with associations

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 1 - DAY 5

Module 5: Writing together on decolonization and mobility justice

9:30 | Round Table: “Decolonial perspectives from contexts of origin”

Participants’ interventions
Focus on African approaches and authors
Construction of shared bibliographies
Connection with CPCL journal (European Journal of Creative Practices in Cities and Landscapes)
Proposal for a monographic issue

15:30 | Experience sharing session

Collective evaluation of the experience
Proposals for future collaborations
Delivery of participation certificates
Concluding interventions by teachers

Celebration evening with associations: Closure

THURSDAY OCTOBER 2, 2025 - DEPARTURE

Check-out and staggered departures

TEACHERS AND PARTICIPANTS

Main Teachers – Scientific Committee

Prof. Vincenza Pellegrino (University of Parma) - Sociology of migrations, post-colonial studies, participatory methodologies
Prof. Wael Garnaoui (University of Sousse) - Mediterranean studies and collective memory
Dr. Jacopo Anderlini (University of Parma) - Border studies and participatory methodologies

Organizational and logistical support committee:

Dr. Youssef Chedly (Université de Sousse)
Mayssa Joabli (Université de Sousse)

Participating researchers:

Montassir Sakhi (Institute for Advanced Studies Ben Guerir\Morocco)
Ferdulis Zita Odome Angone (Cheikh Anta Diop University)
Amal Hlioui (Université Tunis El Manar)
Imene Chaabane Bennani (Université de Sousse)
Hanen Hattab (Université de Sousse)
Amira Jaghmoun (Université de Sousse, Université de Monastir)
Ramzi Ben Amara (Université de Sousse)
Souad Mani (Université de Sousse)
Mohsen Kalboussi (Université de Tunis)
Imed Harrabi (Université de Sousse)
Asma Laarif (Université de Sousse)
Khaled Annabi (Université de Sousse)

Auditing students:

Beatrice Todaro (University of Milan, University of Parma)
Luana Roman Atiencia (University of Parma)

Other names being defined

Involved associations

FTDES: Romdhan Ben Amor
Légal Agenda: Yassine Nabli/Olfa Lamloum
Avocats sans frontières: Nawres Douzi
Terre pour tous Imed Soltani: families of the disappeared
Ridha Tlili (film / water/Gafsa)
Nomad 08
Habib Ayeb

MATERIALS AND OUTPUTS

Required teaching materials

Each researcher must send before the course (2 weeks before):

Essential readings dossier (max 2 texts/articles per researcher)
Self-presentation sheet (to be shared)
Personal bibliography (indicate 5 authors/reference texts in their field of research)
Preliminary glossary (key terms that would be discussed)

Expected outputs

Immediate

15 collectively defined keywords
Network of 10-12 active researchers
Audio-visual materials from sessions
Evaluation report

Medium term (6 months)

Publication of Dictionary/Counter-dictionary
At least 2 joint research project proposals
Co-authored scientific articles

Long term (12-18 months)

Consolidation of research network
New institutional collaborations
Replication of training model in other contexts

METHODOLOGICAL NOTES

Pedagogical Approach

Participatory learning and co-construction of knowledge through valorization of participants’ experiences, particularly their field research work
Continuous documentation with (consensual) recording of sessions for collective memory