The Interdepartmental Research Center MERGED - Migration and Recognition Gender Diversity

The Interdepartmental Research Center MERGED - Migration and Recognition Gender Diversity, formerly the Interdepartmental Research Center “Gender Studies,” was established on 8/8/2005 by Rectoral Decree No. 1906/2005 and has many years of experience in research, study and promotion of activities aimed at the phenomena of migration, gender, multiculturalism and recognition of differences.

President of the Center is Prof. Silvia Illari, former vice president, also a member of the Scientific Committee of the Network for Equality, chaired by Dr. Rosa Oliva. The Center counts on the collaboration of members belonging to 14 Departments of the University of Pavia and the President of the University CUG, Prof. Cristina Campiglio. There are also a number of co-opted members, appointed from among experts in the topics of study of the center. The Chancellors of Pavia's women's colleges also participate in the CTS.

MERGED's aims include (Art. 3 of the Regulations) the promotion and dissemination of “study and research activities at the national and international level on migration phenomena, gender issues, multiculturalism and the recognition of differences,” preferring a multidisciplinary perspective. The activities conducted by the center are also based on collaboration with local, national and international entities for the dissemination of gender issues and cultural diversity, for concrete support for the promotion of equal opportunities. In addition, MERGED aims to foster collaboration between universities and public or private research organizations to widely develop the issues of importance to the Center and promotes numerous conferences, seminars, training meetings and courses on the same.

The Center for years has offered the Level I Master's degree Immigration, Gender, Family Patterns and Integration Strategies, now in its 14th edition. Among MERGED's numerous activities are the Young Refugee Project promoted by the Bracco Foundation; the interdepartmental and multidisciplinary course Preventing gender-based violence: educating for respect, in which numerous members of the center participate as lecturers and which is coordinated by Prof. Maria Assunta Zanetti, MERGED vice-president; and the BAF - Look Back, Look Around, Look to the future - lecture series, organized together with the City of Pavia and with the collaboration of Pavia's women's colleges.

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