The "debate, criticism and dissent are connected between the universities of all countries, across borders and beyond conflicts between states". President Sergio Mattarella underlined this at the University of Trieste where he was awarded an Honorary Master's Degree in Law. The head of state, recalling that universities have always been free to express "dissent" against power, however invited them to "not sever" connections and reflections with other universities outside Italy even in the presence of "conflicts between states". .
Universities have always been places of free debate and criticism", added the head of state. Mattarella therefore invited us to pay attention, doing everything possible not to help "the power, the worst one, which has always tried to keep the universities of its own isolated country, to prevent its connection with those across the border".