Great success for the Soft Power Club Conference held in India (Kerala) on 16 and 17 February at the invitation of Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa for President Modi. At the center of the Club’s two days is the Soft Power of India which – in the difficult international moment we are experiencing – takes on an increasingly important role. The event took place at the Technopark in Trivandrum. Among the main discussion panels: “Why Soft Power matters for Governments, people, industries”. “Soft Power – with Tourism and Culture – directs Growth”. “Planet, Progress, People and Prosperity”.
Among the Club Members, in addition to Amitabh Kant and Francesco Rutelli, participated (in presence and remotely) Irina Bokova, Lord Charles Powell, Ana Luiza Massot Thompson-Flores, Philippe Donnet, the Prince of Jordan El Hassan bin Talal.
President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, sent a message to the participants of the conference.
The Italian delegation was very representative, accompanied by the Ambassador to Delhi, Vincenzo De Luca, with a representation of the Chamber of Deputies, led by the President of the Culture, Science and Education Committee, Hon Federico Mollicone, together with the Hon. Mauro Berruto.
Among the speakers: Carlo Ratti, curator of the 19th International Architecture Exhibition of the Venice Biennale in 2025 and Director of MIT Senseable City Lab; Paolo Cuccia, President of Gambero Rosso and Acotel; Alberto Tripi, President of Almaviva; Maurizio Taffone, Senior Director International Markets Almaviva; Renata Sansone, Chief Operating Officer Civita Mostre e Musei S.p.A.
To build opportunities for industrial and creative collaboration, the leaders of European and Italian Animation companies: Anne Sophie Vanhollebeke, Executive Producer of Motion Pictures and TV Program; Cristian Jezdic, CEO beQ entertainment CEO; Alfio Bastiancich, specialized in animation and youth productions.
Among the Indian representatives: Mohammed Riyas, Tourism Minister Govt. of Kerala; V. Venu, Chief Secretary Govt. of Kerala; Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India; Suman Billa, Principal Secretary, Industries & NORKA; V.K. Mathews, Chairman, GTech and Founder & Executive Chairman of IBS Software; Rathan U Kelkar, Secretary, Electronics & Information Technology, Govt. of Kerala; Biju K., Secretary-Tourism, Govt. of Kerala; Anup Rau, MD & CEO of Future Generali India; representatives of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce; Karan Modi, Managing Director, Modi Group; Suneel Vyas, Director Modi Group.
Federico Mollicone, President of the Culture, Science and Education Committee of the italian Chamber of Deputies
“In March 2023, the trip of President Meloni and Minister Tajani to India sanctioned a strong defense agreement and renewed bilateral relations. Italy returned this year to the top 10 thanks to especially to the weight of the “Culture and Heritage” categories. Through culture we can open new connections, new alliances and rediscover ancient friendships between our nations”.
Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa for President Modi
“We are grateful to the Government of Kerala for hosting the Soft Power Conference at Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram.
We appreciate that mr. P.A. Mohammed Riyas, Member of Tourism, Government of Kerala, inaugurated the conference. We are proud that the Conference is being hold in India which under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the 5th larges economy in the world and has successfully concluded the G20 conference with full consensus on all growth, developemental and cultural issues. We appreciate that India’s G20 was held under the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” and “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam” – the ancient indian civilisational saying that “we are One Family”. This humancentric approach is a great symbol of India’s unique soft power.
India’s cultura, history and civilisational spirit is unique and converges with Italy’s history and culture. Both the countries have a wonderful economic and cultural relationship led by their respective leaders.
I am particularly happy that the soft power conference is being held in Kerala. Kerala is an outstanding example of high human developement index, physical quality of life and brilliant culture and tourism assets. I am particìcularly delighted that Kerala’s tourism proudness – backwaters, houseboats, martial art, dance forms, cuisine – are very unique and special. We greatly enjoyed the Nishagandhi Dance Festival yesterday night. We thank Government of Kerala for its lovely hospitality. We have some brilliant members of the soft power club. We will all act as Brand Ambassadors of Kerala State to promote and market Kerala as a great soft power destination of the world. We will promote its art, culture, tourism and technopark. We wish Kerala State all the best and a great future. And I fully agree with many leaders who have said that “This is NOT only India’s decade, but this is India’s Century”. India’s unique soft power will make this happen”.
Francesco Rutelli Founder and President of the Soft Power Club
“Without India, as a force for innovation and progress, there will be no solution to the world’s crises and human development. The Conference of our Soft Power Club in Kerala, in the heart of the digital transformation of the most populous nation in the world, brings the voices of authoritative international Members, from Italy the message of President Mattarella, the voice of Parliament together with the leaders of the cultural, technological, audiovisual and animation, food and wine industries. At the centre, effective multilateralism and promotion of interests national through a renewed Soft Power”
The conference “The Soft Power of India” was organized with the support of Almaviva and Generali.
