From 12 to 14 November 2025, the International Conference entitled "Franco Basaglia beyond borders. Practices of freedom" will take place between Gorizia, at the University of Trieste, and Nova Gorica, organized as part of the "European Capital of Culture Nova Gorica-Gorizia GO! 2025", in collaboration with: GECT GO, World Federation for Mental Health, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Social Work and University of Trieste, Department of Engineering and Architecture, Degree Course in Architecture.

The event celebrates the legacy of Franco Basaglia, the renowned Italian mental health reformer, who began his groundbreaking work at the psychiatric hospital in Gorizia. His legislative reform led to the closure of mental hospitals in Italy and laid the foundation for a community-based care model that later became a benchmark for many other countries. The conference will bring together professionals, activists, firsthand experience, researchers, and other stakeholders from across Europe and the world to share best practices, innovative policies, and contemporary mental health challenges, while promoting freedom as a fundamental principle of the therapeutic approach. In addition to panel discussions, the event will include film screenings, book presentations, and visits to local projects and services in the region.

Scientific Committee:

• Dr. Roberto Mezzina, former Director of the Mental Health Service of Trieste, Vice President (European Region) of the World Federation for Mental Health,

• Dr. Franco Perazza, former Director of the Mental Health Service of Gorizia,

• Prof. Vito Flaker, Full Professor at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Ljubljana,

• Prof. Giuseppina Scavuzzo, Full Professor of Architectural Design at the Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste,

• Jošt Cafuta Maček, Researcher at the Faculty of Social Work, University of Ljubljana.

The detailed program for the three-day conference is available in the program below.

For further information about the conference, please contact: basaglia.conference@go2025.eu