A Cultural Hub for Visionary Leaders: ESE Rome Hosts Giulia Aloisio Rafaiani

June 8th marked a truly special evening for the European School of Economics (ESE) in Rome. In the magnificent setting of our main lecture theatre, ESE reaffirmed its role not just as a prestigious private university, but as a vibrant, pulsing cultural hub. The occasion was the presentation of ‘Vestire le parole’ (Dressing Words), an insightful essay by the renowned Roman journalist Giulia Aloisio Rafaiani, published in 2026 by Franco Angeli.

A Dialogue on Communication and Society

Organised by Olimpia Colonna da Paliano, Head of External Relations & Institutional Affairs at ESE Rome, the evening brought together a selection of distinguished guests from the capital’s cultural scene. The gathering provided a space for a lively and dynamic exchange between the author, moderator Manuel Follis (Journalist and Media Strategy and Positioning at Enel), and interviewer Federico Lobuono (Director of “Rinascita”).

At our business school, we teach that communication is never merely an external tool; it is a direct reflection of an individual’s inner state. Following the opening remarks by Olimpia Colonna, a profound discussion unfolded regarding the role that new forms of communication are playing in our world, and how they are fundamentally reshaping our working environments and social habits.

Elite Networking and Institutional Prestige

Held under the patronage of the Municipality of Rome, the event’s prominence naturally attracted leading figures from the worlds of politics, business, and diplomacy.

The exclusive guest list included Maria Beatrice Scibetta (Member of the Board of Directors at Cotral); Eleni Michopoulou (First Secretary at the Greek Embassy); Kristallia Antoniadou (President of the “Daughters of Penelope Italia” Association and Partner at Studio Roy De Vita); Manuela Rafaiani (CEO of Strategic Partners); Vera Wirth (CEO of the Hotel Hassler); Veronica Parwin (Haute Couture Designer); Edoardo Secchi (President of Club Italie France); Shima Trisna (Cultural Economist at LUISS); Laura Antinori Raimondo; and Bruna Emiko.

Connecting Students with the Capital’s Elite

This level of exposure perfectly aligns with the philosophy taught across all ESE campuses: true education happens through osmosis with greatness. The event was enthusiastically received by students enrolled in our British degree programmes and specialized short courses.

For both students and the lecturers who joined the audience, the evening represented a unique opportunity to interact directly with Rome’s economic and political elite. This is in perfect harmony with the priority of the European School of Economics: introducing our students to the world of visionary entrepreneurship and granting them access to the capital’s most exclusive circles.

Looking Ahead

The June 8th presentation was the first in a highly anticipated series of high-profile events that Olimpia Colonna is organizing for the Rome campus in the second half of 2026. ESE will continue to open its doors to unique and exclusive gatherings, featuring prominent figures from the city’s business and institutional spheres, proving once again that a successful business education must be steeped in culture, connection, and beauty.