Cari amici,

di seguito condivido con voi il testo integrale in lingua inglese del Keynote Address che ho avuto il piacere di pronunciare in occasione della cerimonia di investitura della nuova Presidente della John Cabot University, Prof.ssa Antonia Maioni.

Al seguente link, vi segnalo inoltre il video integrale della cerimonia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gR-3RorGKoY

Keynote Address – Investiture of President Maioni

John Cabot University – Thursday, September 24th, 2026

Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Frà John Dunlap, distinguished members of the Board of Trustees and University Leadership, honoured civic and academic leaders, members of faculty, staff, student body and alumni, dear friends,

It is my honour to be with you all today on this very special occasion, an important moment in the life of “John Cabot University” – the investiture of its new President, Dr. Antonia Maioni.

In the last several years, I have had the privilege of getting to know the community that is JCU – the breadth of its academic programs, the quality of its faculty members, the diversity and richness of its student body. Students and alumni have consistently commented on their high level of satisfaction with their university experience, one that nourishes their intellectual hunger while satisfying their need for cross-cultural exchange and a level of spirituality – dare I say it – that is next to none, in one of the most spiritual and aesthetically beautiful capitals on earth.

There is no doubt that the level of excellence that “John Cabot” represents is due, in no small part, to the twenty-year tenure of a man I look up to and am fortunate enough to call a friend – outgoing President, Franco Pavoncello. President Pavoncello, dear Franco – this university is what it is today thanks to your exceptional leadership. We are thus all indebted to you for the institution that you have built and for the legacy that you leave today, one that will serve and inspire the next generation.

By President Pavoncello’s side these last two decades is a woman I also wish to acknowledge, a woman whose rich cultural background, fortitude and community-building spirit also contributed to the university’s success and that woman is Ms. Jacqueline Maggi.

All of this has led us to the present. Today is not merely an investiture – today marks an historic moment in the journey of this institution. For the very first time, a woman (and an Italian-Canadian woman, to boot) will be at the helm of JCU and that in itself is something to celebrate. Personally, I could not be more proud of this appointment and am keenly aware of the significance it holds for the entire Italian-Canadian community I represent in Parliament. But Dr. Antonia Maioni is much more than this.

Dr. Maioni was born in Montreal and her academic career was forged across Canada, the United States and Italy. Specializing in Canadian and Comparative Politics, healthcare reform and social policy, she is a Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, has served as the Director of the Institute for Health and Social Policy, Dean of Arts at McGill University and President of the Federation for the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Dr. Maioni’s personal experience if that of a child of immigrant parents but her professional life has also crossed borders and cultures. She brings together the Arts, the Sciences, Healthcare, Public Policy and International Politics. I cannot think of anyone better suited to lead one of the most international institutions in the world. JCU is a bridge (although I prefer the word “piazza”) between Italy, North America and indeed the entire world, with a student body spanning eighty Countries, and Dr. Maioni reflects this diversity.

This, as we are all aware, is a particularly interesting and challenging time in the history of human civilization. Never have we had so much access to information and at such a rapid pace. Never has this information changed so quickly – what we considered to be hard facts yesterday are being challenged today. What is considered uncertain and unpredictable today (think of A.I. and disasters due to climate change) will be a certainty tomorrow. Wars are being waged as they always have but never have global alliances and the decisions of world leaders had a greater impact on the well-being of humanity.

In an age characterized by ego and discord, at a time when it has become more difficult than ever to distinguish between fact and fluff, it is essential that a university of the calibre of “John Cabot” be led by a steady hand, by an individual whose both personal and professional stories have granted her the experience, know-how and fortitude required to encourage independent, critical thinking, even when it is uncomfortable, challenge falsehoods and shape the future leaders of the world. That person is Dr. Antonia Maioni.

President Maioni, I know that John Cabot University will thrive under your leadership and that it will continue to be a crossroads of cultures and experiences where students come from around the world, not only to study, but to challenge one another and forge relationships that will have a positive impact on society.

Congratulations, President Maioni, and long live “John Cabot University”.