Mimmo Lucano is an Italian politician, a current Member of the European Parliament and activist best known for his role as the former mayor of Riace, a small town in Calabria.
Lucano gained international recognition for his innovative approach to migrant integration, transforming Riace into a symbol of hospitality and solidarity. Under his leadership from 2004 to 2018, Riace became a welcoming haven for refugees and asylum seekers, breathing new life into a once declining town.
Lucano’s model focused on reviving the local economy by integrating migrants into the community, providing them with housing, work opportunities, and encouraging cultural exchange. This approach not only supported migrants but also revitalized the town, repopulating abandoned homes and reviving traditional crafts and local businesses.
Despite facing legal challenges and political opposition, including a controversial arrest in 2018 over allegations related to his management of the town’s integration policies, Lucano remains a passionate advocate for migrant rights and social justice. His work has been celebrated globally as a courageous and humanitarian example of how migration can be managed positively.
Photo credits: Fotosintesi Labs Project
Mimo Lucano will be a speaker at the panel The Way Forward: How cities create new forms of solidarity and peace at times of migrations on Saturday 9th November at 18.00 – 20.00.
