In addition to the usual series of lectures, the course programme also included a practical exercise held at the COA. The course,set up as part of the educational collaboration agreement between the University of Ferrara and the Italian Air Force, was attended by 71 participants, including military and civilian personnel from the Ministry of Defence, from all over Italy, alongside university students. The series of lectures, lasting two consecutive weeks, was delivered by Prof. Francesco Salerno, full professor of international law at the Department of Law of the University of Ferrara, and by other lecturers and experts in the field, including those from outside the university, as well as qualified representatives of the Italian Air Force. The lectures took place almost entirely at the University of Ferrara, with the exception of 15 May, when participants attended a practical exercise involving the simulation of real-life scenarios at the Operational Base of the Air Operations Command (COA) in Poggio Renatico. On that occasion, the Commander of the COA, Air Force General Mirco Zuliani, in his opening address, expressed his satisfaction and delight at the high level of appreciation shown by the participants – an interest evidenced by the numerous applications received, over 120, which demonstrate a strong need for in-depth study in a subject considered to be of great professional importance, particularly for military and civilian personnel assigned to specific national and international posts. Finally, General Zuliani emphasised the importance of the planned practical exercises, which translate the theoretical concepts learnt during the lectures into practical activities – an effective method that facilitates a more realistic understanding of the material studied in the classroom. The remarkable success of this well-established educational initiative, now in its third edition and complementing the ‘International Military Criminal Law“ course, which takes place annually in February, confirms an important and fruitful collaboration between the two institutions and helps to broaden knowledge of the subject among both Armed Forces personnel and university staff, whilst at the same time fostering the development of further study and research initiatives, as well as the sharing of mutual experiences in areas of common interest.
