Florence: Rural depopulation and multiple migrations

The depopulation of rural areas in Europe, job opportunities for young people, aging, and migration were among the topics discussed at the PICM international seminar held in Florence, Italy, on February 16 and 17, 2026.

The seminar was organized by Movimento Cristiano Lavoratori (MCL) and EFAL, with the support of the Spanish trade union USO, in collaboration with EZA and PICM, and with funding from the European Union.

The opening session was led by Alfonso Luzzi, President General of MCL, who called for equal opportunities for all people in rural and inland areas of countries. Stefano Ceci, National President of EFAL, addressed youth education and opportunities in the non-profit sector. Carmen Alejandra Ortiz, International Secretary of USO, spoke about investment in rural areas, environmental protection, and employment opportunities. Pierandrea Vanni, regional president of MCL-Tuscany, championed the role of art and heritage in regional development.

The presence of Stefania Saccardi, president of the Regional Council of Tuscany, demonstrated the support of the regional government. Ms. Saccardi emphasized the importance of developing agriculture, cultural heritage, and tourism to make rural areas attractive. The session was held at the Palazzo Medici Riccardi.

Claudio Risso, vice president of CNEL, then spoke. Luis Pedro Mota Soares, former Minister of Labor of Portugal, stated that depopulation is the result of political decisions and stressed the importance of agriculture for food sovereignty—that is, the ability to feed one's own population. Rafael Rodríguez-Ponga, president of PICM and Asociación Mirlo, addressed the topics of education in knowledge and virtues, equal opportunities, new demographic challenges, immigration, and growing cultural and religious diversity. He recalled the words of Pope Leo XIV: “Christian education forms not only professionals, but people open to goodness, beauty, and truth.” He also referred to the new mass regularization of immigrants that the Spanish government has implemented.

On the second day of the workshops, Piergiorgio Sciacqua (EZA, MCL), Laura Estévez Fernández (USO), and Vitor Vicente (Fidestra) participated. Professor Lanfranco Senn (Bocconi University, Milan) stated that young people need a sense of belonging to a place and hope for the future to have the desire to stay in their place of origin or to return there.

Delfina Licata, a sociologist from the Migrants Foundation, spoke about the situation of “plurimous migration” (‘abundant and varied’): Italians are leaving their places of origin, and foreigners are coming to live in those places.

The day concluded with presentations by Stefano Ceci (EFAL), Adrián Jiménez (USO), Valbona Halitaj (Albania), and Francesco Spizzirri (MCL). Also participating at different times were Gulielmo Borri (MCL), Maribel Alañón (PICM and Asociación Mirlo), Carmen Quintanilla (AFAMMER), Maria Reina Martin (EZA, PICM, Fidestra), Ignacio Argote (PICM and CEAT), Giorgio D’Antoni (MCL-Sicily), and other experts from various countries.