Location:

Milan, Italy

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Al Qaeda is changing. Its ideology, despite Osama Bin Laden’s disappearance and other hard blows inflicted to her, it is not declining. Al Qaeda no longer appears as the monopolist organization of radical Islamic terrorism and understand its limits is becoming increasingly hazy. Several analysts - always looking for conceptual labels - have called it Al Qaeda 3.0. After the first version created by bin Laden for war in Afghanistan and the second "launched" with the 9/11 attack, and still very much focused regionally (Af-Pak and then Iraq), the third version would be described as an hydra with multiple heads and with a common body consists of information, financing, fighters, logistics support, joint training bases and safe-heaven. In recent months the face of the Jihad seemed to be redefining itself through new routes: from Iraq to Syria and from there to Egypt and Libya, crossing the desert of Algeria and Mali up to the northern part of Nigeria. Al Qaeda has undergone significant changes over the course of its history, and today, it certainly does not seem to exist as a single centralized organization, but is distinguished by the ability to devise independent projects, accept tactical alliances and convergences with political groups, especially the Salafis, who have common goals, but it mainly seem to take advantage of the instability in North Africa, an entire region struggling with a complex transition. The last few years have marked a spread of radical Islamic formations in Africa. The Sahel-Sudan belt immediately south of the Sahara has always been a region of instability and insecurity. The Sahara has acquired a new geopolitical centrality: the focus is on the polarized Mali and international intervention against radical Islamic and secessionist formations that have occupied the north and has proclaimed the State of Azawad. This part of Africa seems more related to the Arab-Islamic world with its unsolved problems. The course includes a first day focused on changes in the organization and the new threats that it (or its ideology) leads to, in particular in Europe. Are becoming more frequent, in fact, even in Europe, cases of personal indoctrination ("individual jihad") and cases of European fighters on the front lines of jihad in the Middle East. The second day will be devoted to how the difficult transition to democracy in North Africa has opened up new possibilities and room for action for jihadist groups, as well as new connections, mainly through Libya and Mali, including the Middle East and Africa.

The ISPI Winter and Summer School offer students, graduates, and young professionals the opportunity to get closer to major international issues through a catalog of intensive short courses on topics such as: Development and Cooperation Humanitarian Emergencies European Affairs Microfinance Human Rights Project Planning Geopolitical Areas The Winter School provides courses of 15 hours each, offered on weekends (Friday and Saturday from 9.30am to 6.30pm). The Summer School provides courses of 15 hours each offered in July and September, developed on two days each (Monday / Tuesday, Wednesday / Thursday, Friday / Saturday) from 9.30am to 6.30pm. The program allows participation to a maximum of three courses per week. The multidisciplinary approach adopted allows an analysis of the historical, political, legal, economic, and cultural issues addressed, providing participants with the necessary tools for further studies. The "traditional" teaching approach is supplemented by testimonials, tutorials, simulations, illustrations, case studies, as well as the active involvement of participants through group work. The ISPI Winter and Summer School courses are recognized by some universities in Lombardy, in order to obtain credits. The ISPI Summer School is also partner of the Summer School of Milan. Thanks to this agreement, each student who attends the Summer School courses ISPI will receive a card with which you can get discounts at various exhibitions and museums in Milan.

Setting Description:

Founded in 1934, ISPI is one of the oldest and most prestigious international relations institutes in Italy, with its headquarters in Palazzo Clerici, Milan. It is a private law association, granted the status of non-profit-making body in 1972, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Where the management is concerned, it is under the control of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and the State Auditors’ Court. ISPI’s scientific output has always been distinguished by a sound pragmatic approach, based on monitoring the various geo-political areas and interpreting the major trends in progress on the global scene, so as to provide political and economic operators with reliable information and guidance. Its interdisciplinary nature is guaranteed by the close collaboration of specialists in economics, politics, law, history and strategic studies (from both academic and non-academic circles) and by partnerships with prestigious institutions and research cent

Cost:

The EUR 200 course fee includes all instructional materials