The Shadow Harvest – Davide Demichele’s Seminar at Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University
| Title | The Shadow Harvest – Davide Demichele’s Seminar at Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University |
|---|---|
| Author | Davide Demichele |
| Date | 2026-06-25 |
| Project | 2023-1-IT03-ESC51-VTJ-000139142 |
The Shadow Harvest – Davide Demichele’s Seminar at Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University
On May 25, I had the pleasure of leading a seminar entitled The Shadow Harvest, focusing on the issue of informal settlements in Southern Italy. The seminar examined the social and economic dynamics surrounding the phenomenon, with particular attention given to the Ghetto di Borgo Mezzanone, currently the largest informal settlement in the region of Puglia. This settlement has become a symbol of the complex challenges related to irregular migration, labour exploitation, social exclusion, and inadequate housing conditions, making it a significant case study for understanding broader structural issues affecting agricultural regions in Italy.
The seminar was held at Sulkhan-Saba Orbeliani University at 12:00 p.m. and was accompanied by a presentation divided into four main sections:
- Introduction to the issue, beginning with an overview of informal settlements in Italy before narrowing the focus to the specific case of Borgo Mezzanone;
- Social consequences, exploring the impact of the settlement on the lives of its inhabitants and local communities;
- Economic consequences, analysing the relationship between informal settlements, agricultural labour and informal economies;
- Comparative reflections and conclusions, discussing potential similarities and differences between the Italian and Georgian contexts and encouraging participants to reflect on how comparable challenges may emerge in different social and institutional environments.
Throughout the seminar, the audience demonstrated a high level of interest and engagement. Participants actively followed the presentation and contributed both during the discussion and in the concluding question-and-answer session. Numerous attendees asked thoughtful questions, raised critical observations, and shared their own perspectives on the issues presented.
One of the most valuable aspects of the seminar was the diversity of the audience. Participants from different academic disciplines, cultural backgrounds, and countries of origin enriched the discussion by offering a wide range of viewpoints and experiences. The exchange of ideas led to a lively and constructive debate on the root causes of informal settlements, the challenges of balancing economic needs with human rights, and the importance of developing sustainable policy responses.