Climate Jamboree in Rome
In March of 2026, Accent joined Worldwide Climate & Justice Education Month, an initiative highlighting global engagement and integration of climate solutions and justice into academic curricula through teach-ins and events. Launched by Bard College, Worldwide Climate & Justice Education Month is a worldwide effort by educators to bring greater awareness of our growing climate crisis to classrooms, in the hope that future generations will be inspired to treat our planet with respect.
The Accent Rome Study Center held two major events during the month: A “Climate and Justice Jamboree” on March 1, geared toward students in the UCEAP Art, Food and Society program, and March 19th’s “Dialoghi per il clima,” a series of academic guest lectures open to both students and the public.
The day of the Jamboree, the excitement was palpable. Chef Fiore, standing beside a bowl of breadcrumbs, chatted with the gathering students as he prepared the ingredients for his Zero Waste Cooking demonstration. Professor Silvia Cioli laid out a series of multicolored bowls for her workshop on seed bombs, a form of guerilla gardening involving little balls of seeds, soil, and clay. In the library, Professor Greg Smith had lined up several bottles and glasses for his lecture on biodynamic wine.
As students trickled into each room, the workshops began. Professor Cioli’s students dug into the clay and soil, making their own seed bombs. Chef Fiore kneaded the breadcrumbs into a dough as he explained how the ratio of bread to water is important in making the best pizza crust. Professor Smith led the students in a wine tasting, teaching them the chemistry and taste experience that makes a truly excellent vintage. The day ended with an aperitivo at Etico, a restaurant with a social mission to provide job opportunities and social integration for individuals with disabilities.
Two weeks later, a large classroom in the Study Center was bustling with activity as professors, locals, and curious students gathered for “Dialoghi per il clima.” The dialogues brought together three conversations exploring ecological thought, community action, and literary resistance. The event was moderated throughout by journalist and poet Maria Teresa Carbone. The three dialogues moved from spiritual and philosophical grounding to practical urban and civic organizing, and finally to the role of the poet as witness, agitator, and keeper of hope. Together they traced a coherent arc: from the inner ecology of how we see the world, to the outer ecology of how we act within it, to the language and imagination we carry as we do so.
March was a whirlwind of activity in the Accent Rome Study Center, students and locals alike taking part in an initiative highlighting one of the most important subjects of our time.
All programs developed with Accent are customized with events and activities that engage with Accent’s deep local networks. Scholars and professionals, volunteers and NGOs are involved in classwork and visit, giving students new and exciting learning opportunities. To learn more about on-site learning opportunities, reach out to Accent’s Partnerships and Program Development team at development@accentglobal.com