On 27 June 2024, the Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM) hosted Mrs Lia Quartapelle, an Italian Member of Parliament (Democratic Party) and Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee on Foreign and European Affairs, as part of the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs' programme of invitations to prominent figures (PIPA).

In addition to her political activities, Ms Quartapelle, who holds a PhD in development economics, is also an Associate researcher at ISPI (Institute for International Policy Studies), which is one of Italy's leading think tanks.

The meeting convened a cohort of IRSEM researchers with expertise on Russia and Africa, the head of international development and institutional relations, and a representative of the IHEDN (Institut des hautes études de défense nationale). After an institutional section, discussions focused on internal political developments in Russia and Italy's positioning in Africa within the framework of the governmental "Mattéi plan" presented in 2022.

This year, IRSEM will continue to develop exchanges with its Italian partners, in particular as part of the annual conference of the NESSI network (Network of European Strategic Studies Institutions), which is chaired in 2024 by the Rome-based IRAD (Istituto di Ricerca e Analisi della Difesa). NESSI's annual conference will take place from 24 to 26 September and will focus on EU defense issues.