ABOUT ME
Emanuele Valenti
I have been a journalist since 2001, focusing on conflict, international crises and geopolitics for radio, TV and print media. My travels have taken me to over twenty countries to tell stories of conflict in the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans, North and South America and various European nations. I keep asking myself questions, thankfully with no immediate answers. My approach blends analysis and storytelling. I also teach courses and seminars in schools and at universities, showing students how to understand and communicate the complexity of the international world and how to operate in hotspots.
In recent years, much of my work has been in and about Syria, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Ukraine, Catalonia and Brexit.
Emanuele Valenti
I have been a journalist since 2001, focusing on conflict, international crises and geopolitics for radio, TV and print media. My travels have taken me to over twenty countries to tell stories of conflict in the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans, North and South America and various European nations. I keep asking myself questions, thankfully with no immediate answers. My approach blends analysis and storytelling. I also teach courses and seminars in schools and at universities, showing students how to understand and communicate the
complexity of the international world and how to operate in hotspots.
In recent years, much of my work has been in and about Syria, Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Ukraine, Catalonia and Brexit.
MY WORK
Journalism
Radio Popolare
Foreign correspondent
Since 2003
I am a current affairs field reporter. My recent work has included covering: Venezuela recall referendum against Hugo Chavez (2004), London attacks (2005), Kosovo independence (2008), Barack Obama’s first election in the USA (2008), organisation of Syrian rebels in Lebanon (2012-2013), war in Eastern Ukraine (2014), Scottish independence referendum (2014), Iran nuclear deal (2015), coup in Turkey (2016), Catalan independence referendum (2017), EU-UK Brexit negotiations (2018-2019), Turkish military operation in Northern Syria (2019)
I also create documentaries and news reports for the radio on the many different forms conflict takes
I produce and present news and radio programmes and podcasts
Radio Popolare
Foreign correspondent
Since 2003
I am a current affairs field reporter. My recent work has included covering: Venezuela recall referendum against Hugo Chavez (2004), London attacks (2005), Kosovo independence (2008), Barack Obama’s first election in the USA (2008), organisation of Syrian rebels in Lebanon (2012-2013), war in Eastern Ukraine (2014), Scottish independence referendum (2014), Iran nuclear deal (2015), coup in Turkey (2016), Catalan independence referendum (2017), EU-UK Brexit negotiations (2018-2019), Turkish military operation in Northern Syria (2019)
I also create documentaries and news reports for the radio on the many different forms conflict takes
I produce and present news and radio programmes and podcasts
RSI
Freelance contributor
Since 2010
For Swiss Broadcasting Network in Italian (RSI) I produce and create radio documentaries, video reports and programmes telling stories from hotspots, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Ukraine and Catalonia
RSI
Freelance contributor
Since 2010
For Swiss Broadcasting Network in Italian (RSI) I produce and create radio documentaries, video reports and programmes telling stories from hotspots, including Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Lebanon, Ukraine and Catalonia
TV3
Freelance contributor
Since 2020
I regularly take part in live TV broadcasts of Televisió de Catalunya (Catalan Broadcaster – Spain) with details about Italy
TV3
Freelance contributor
Since 2020
I regularly take part in live TV broadcasts of Televisió de Catalunya (Catalan Broadcaster – Spain) with details about Italy
Borsa Italiana
Freelance contributor
2013 – 2018
Reports for Borsa Italiana’s YouTube channel during institutional events involving the Milan stock exchange
Borsa Italiana
Freelance contributor
2013 – 2018
Reports for Borsa Italiana’s YouTube channel during institutional events involving the Milan stock exchange
Terre des Hommes
Freelance contributor
2017
Video coverage of TdH Italia Onlus aid programmes in Iraq. I described the work of this organisation with children and teenagers in refugee camps and education centres. They were active in northern Iraq at the time ISIS (Islamic State) was operating in that part of the Middle East
Terre des Hommes
Freelance contributor
2017
Video coverage of TdH Italia Onlus aid programmes in Iraq. I described the work of this organisation with children and teenagers in refugee camps and education centres. They were active in northern Iraq at the time ISIS (Islamic State) was operating in that part of the Middle East
RNW
Italy correspondent and international issues analyst
2006 – 2012
News stories in Spanish for the Latin American division of Radio Netherlands Worldwide(Netherlands Public Radio). As far as Italy is concerned, my work was analysing the dynamics behind political, social, economic and cultural processes in my homeland
RNW
Italy correspondent and international issues analyst
2006 – 2012
News stories in Spanish for the Latin American division of Radio Netherlands Worldwide (Netherlands Public Radio). As far as Italy is concerned, my work was analysing the dynamics behind political, social, economic and cultural processes in my homeland
La Stampa, Europa, El Mundo
Freelance contributor
2004 – 2012
I wrote articles and created videos from hotspots and about geopolitics and international issues
La Stampa
Europa
El Mundo
Freelance contributor
2004 – 2012
I wrote articles and created videos from hotspots and about geopolitics and international issues
La Stampa, Europa, El Mundo
Collaboratore
2004 – 2012
Articoli e video da aree di crisi e su geopolitica e questioni internazionali
Radio Popolare
Local news reporter
2002 – 2003
Local news stories from Milan and Lombardy
Production and presentation of news reports, live and recorded radio broadcasts and programmes
Radio Popolare
Local news reporter
2002 – 2003
Local news stories from Milan and Lombardy
Production and presentation of news reports, live and recorded radio broadcasts and programmes
Teaching and Training
My teaching is built on using actual reports and articles, and I often use video links to guests in crisis areas
Università degli Studi dell’Insubria
Lecturer in international contemporary crises
Since 2020
“International contemporary crises”. Seminar at Insubria University (Varese), as part of the History and Contemporary Affairs course.
The seminar focuses on the main global crises of our time, deep-diving into the domestic and international elements that contribute to them. Contemporary conflicts are analysed in the light of what the students have covered or will cover in their history classes. The skills acquired enable students to place current international crises in a broader historical context
Insubria University
Lecturer in international contemporary crises
Since 2020
“International contemporary crises”. Seminar at Insubria University (Varese), as part of the History and Contemporary Affairs course.
The seminar focuses on the main global crises of our time, deep-diving into the domestic and international elements that contribute to them. Contemporary conflicts are analysed in the light of what the students have covered or will cover in their history classes. The skills acquired enable students to place current international crises in a broader historical context
IULM
Lecturer in Geopolitics and Journalism
Since 2019
In the Master’s Degree in Communication for International Relations (MICRI) at IULM University in Milan I explore contemporary geopolitics through the lens of some of the most pressing contemporary crises.
Students are pushed to strive for a critical understanding of topics, seeking to examine issues from a variety of perspectives in an effort to gain insight into the ever-changing global panorama. My lessons focus on the need to factor in multiple elements to truly understand the complexity of the international world. This means delving into: politics, international relations, the economy, natural resources, energy, geography, history, psychology, culture, national identity, human rights and more.
The role of communication, the use of propaganda and the importance of the narrative in areas where crises are unfolding are also examined
IULM
Lecturer in Geopolitics and Journalism
Since 2019
In the Master’s Degree in Communication for International Relations (MICRI) at IULM University in Milan I explore contemporary geopolitics through the lens of some of the most pressing contemporary crises.
Students are pushed to strive for a critical understanding of topics, seeking to examine issues from a variety of perspectives in an effort to gain insight into the ever-changing global panorama. My lessons focus on the need to factor in multiple elements to truly understand the complexity of the international world. This means delving into: politics, international relations, the economy, natural resources, energy, geography, history, psychology, culture, national identity, human rights and more.
The role of communication, the use of propaganda and the importance of the narrative in areas where crises are unfolding are also examined
High schools
Teacher
Since 2018
“Understanding the world around us”. Geopolitics and International Relations classes in Milanese high schools.
These lessons, designed for 16-18 year-old students, aim to provide simple, straightforward explanations of current affairs, while also offering elements of media literacy that help students to find reliable sources for information about what is happening in the world
High schools
Teacher
Since 2018
“Understanding the world around us”. Geopolitics and International Relations classes in Milanese high schools.
These lessons, designed for 16-18 year-old students, aim to provide simple, straightforward explanations of current affairs, while also offering elements of media literacy that help students to find reliable sources for information about what is happening in the world
Altiero Spinelli School for Interpreters and Translators (Fondazione Milano)
Lecturer in International Conflicts and Crises
Since 2016
Using an extremely pragmatic approach, the students acquire skills that will help them navigate international contexts in which they have to interact with politicians, diplomats, officials from international organisations, aid workers, multinational managers and journalists. In recent years, the focal topics have been: war in Syria; Libya and migration in the Mediterranean; Iranian nuclear crisis; Saudi Arabia and Islamic extremism; the Kurds, a nation without a country; Europe and the Soviet legacy: the crises in Ukraine and Belarus; Brexit and the border with Ireland; nationalism and separatist forces in Europe, the cases of Scotland and Catalonia
Altiero Spinelli School for Interpreters and Translators (Fondazione Milano)
Lecturer in International Conflicts and Crises
Since 2016
Using an extremely pragmatic approach, the students acquire skills that will help them navigate international contexts in which they have to interact with politicians, diplomats, officials from international organisations, aid workers, multinational managers and journalists. In recent years, the focal topics have been: war in Syria; Libya and migration in the Mediterranean; Iranian nuclear crisis; Saudi Arabia and Islamic extremism; the Kurds, a nation without a country; Europe and the Soviet legacy: the crises in Ukraine and Belarus; Brexit and the border with Ireland; nationalism and separatist forces in Europe, the cases of Scotland and Catalonia
Milan University
Lecturer
Since 2014
Lectures and seminars on geopolitics
– Faculty of Political, Economic and Social Science, Milan University
– Faculty of Language and Cultural Mediation, Milan University
Milan University
Lecturer
Since 2014
Lectures and seminars on geopolitics
– Faculty of Political, Economic and Social Science, Milan University
– Faculty of Language and Cultural Mediation, Milan University
Terre des Hommes
Lecturer of video journalism
2017
Video journalism courses in conflict areas at Iraqi youth centres run by Terre des Hommes Italia
Terre des Hommes
Lecturer of video journalism
2017
Video journalism courses in conflict areas at Iraqi youth centres run by Terre des Hommes Italia
EDUCATION
MY STORY
One summer, in the late 1980s, my father took me to Ireland on vacation. I was a still a kid, perhaps just a teenager, and I knew very little about Ireland other than the stereotypical “green, rain, beer”. On the flight to Dublin I started looking at the map because my father wanted to show me the trip he had in mind. I wasn’t particularly interested, but one thing did catch my attention: a red line that cut Ireland in two, the type of line usually used to mark the border between two states. “Are there two different countries in Ireland? Why?” My father cut it short: “Yes, the North and the South, but we won’t be able to go to the North, because there is a war.”
I began asking myself questions. Why is Ireland divided? What are the roots of this war? Who is fighting? Why are we going to a place on vacation only a few kilometres away from where people are killing each other?
It was a few years before I could answer such questions. The conflict in Northern Ireland became a part of my university studies and that trip with my father turned out to be the first of many. And that red line on that road map, my first contact with the idea of conflict, became the starting point for my career. Since then I have never stopped asking questions, trying to understand the causes and consequences of conflicts, civil wars and international crises.
Over time I have come to realise why I remember that red line so clearly. My curiosity for crisis situations and hotspots is always linked to a division, a strong contrast, a deep rift, a border. The thread that has held my studies and my career together, as a journalist and teacher, is my work on fault lines. The first one was that border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as shown on that map I looked at on that flight to Dublin with my father.
After the conflict in Northern Ireland I became interested in many other international crises and this has taken me to many countries in the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans, North and South America and Europe. The journey has become an indispensable tool for reading, deciphering and telling the stories of distant places.
Just as it has become essential to learn to change perspective and to observe reality without preconceptions. There are many keys to reading any situation and they never work in isolation. I firmly believe this is the only way to understand the complexity of the world we live in.
