A seminar series to explore and highlight the role of legal clinics in promoting justice and educating students, starting from the most vulnerable segments of society.

Starting on May 19, 2025, Bocconi University will host a five-part seminar series titled “Access to Rights. Pathways to Social Inclusion Starting from the Experience of Bocconi University’s Legal Clinics”. The initiative is part of the project “Legal clinics: a new way to promote social inclusion through access to rights”, developed for MUSA. The series will delve into the issues addressed by Spoke 6 and provide an open forum for discussion among academics, professionals, and institutions engaged in advancing social inclusion.

Bocconi’s legal clinics are a key component of the university’s Third Mission, offering legal support in socially vulnerable settings: from the legal help desk in Milan’s San Siro district to the services provided in the San Vittore and Bollate correctional facilities, and including legal assistance for refugees and asylum seekers—particularly those fleeing the war in Ukraine—through the Ukraine Support and Information Legal Clinic (UASI).

In addition to offering concrete support to individuals, the legal clinics serve as a powerful educational tool. They enable students to learn through real-world practice using the learning by doing method. This clinical activity allows students to tackle real-life cases under the supervision of faculty members and professionals, fostering both practical skill development and a strong connection to the needs of the surrounding community.

The first event in the series, “Rights Behind Bars: Facilitating Access to Justice in Prison”, will take place on Monday, May 19 at 4:30 PM in the Alberto Alesina Seminar Room at Bocconi University (Via Röntgen 1, Milan). The program includes:

  • 4:30 PM – Introduction and moderator:
    Melissa Miedico, Law, Bocconi University

  • 4:40 PM – The role of legal clinics and the university:

    • Claudia Pecorella, Law, University of Milano-Bicocca

    • Angela Della Bella, Law, University of Milan

    • Roberto Cornelli, Law, University of Milan

    • Andrea Di Franco, Architecture, Politecnico di Milano

    • Francesca Piredda, Design, Politecnico di Milano

    • Chiara Ligi, Design, Politecnico di Milano

    • Matthias Da Rold, Law, Bocconi University

    • Maria Falcone, Law, Bocconi University

  • 5:30 PM – Looking ahead: reflections and perspectives with institutions and organizations:

    • Elisabetta Palù, Acting Director, San Vittore Correctional Facility

    • Cosima Buccoliero, Director, Monza Correctional Facility

  • 6:00 PM – Open discussion

  • 7:00 PM – Closing remarks:
    Marta Cartabia, Law, Bocconi University