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On November 12 and 13, 2026, Villa Mondragone, on the outskirts of Rome, will host the first edition of The Games Forum Rome, an international event dedicated to the cultural, educational, scientific, and social future of video games and interactive media. Women&Tech® ETS is participating in the initiative as a Community Partner.
Organized by Women in Games and Structura, under the direction of Marie-Claire Isaaman and Marco Accordi Rickards, the Forum will bring together representatives from the video game industry, academia, research, culture, institutions, and international organizations.
The goal is to promote dialogue between different sectors, creating new opportunities for collaboration and enhancing the role of video games as tools for innovation, learning, cultural expression, and social transformation.
Innovation, skills, and inclusion
The program is structured around four main areas: Culture, Commerce, Community, and Shared Action, through panels, workshops, and discussion sessions.
Among the topics covered are the evolution of skills in the video game industry, access to professional opportunities, the application of artificial intelligence and gamification to learning, inclusive design, and the contribution of digital communities to cultural and social development.
Particular attention will be given to diversity and the creation of ecosystems capable of enhancing talents, experiences, and different perspectives.
The Rome Roundtable: women, equality, and the digital future
One of the key events will be The Rome Roundtable 2026 – Women, Equality & Europe’s Digital Future, an international working group involving women's organizations, gender equality networks, and representatives from the technological, scientific, educational, and creative sectors.
The sessions, by invitation only, will delve into strategic issues for the future of European innovation:
- Female participation and leadership in innovation and STEM disciplines.
- Economic opportunities, entrepreneurship, and access to decision-making roles.
- Artificial intelligence, online security, and combating forms of violence and gender discrimination in digital environments.
- The integration of gender equality in European research, investment, and innovation programs.
Laura Liguori, Vice President of Women&Tech®, participates in two invitation-only roundtables dedicated to “Participation, Progression & Power” and “Safety, Technology & Accountability”, involving representatives and organizations from the gaming, entertainment, technology, computing, education, and digital creative industries sectors. The goal is to analyze progress towards gender equality, the inequalities that persist, and opportunities for meaningful change in these areas. Specifically, the first roundtable will address the topics “Women in Innovation & STEM” and “Economic Participation & Leadership”, while the second will be dedicated to “AI, Online Safety & Gender Based Harm” and “Gender Equality & EU Funding”.
The discussion will focus on defining shared priorities, operational recommendations, and new opportunities for international collaboration.
Women&Tech® ETS for inclusive innovation
The presence of Women&Tech® ETS among the Community Partners is part of the association's commitment to enhancing female talent, spreading scientific and technological skills, and promoting a culture of open and inclusive innovation.
The world of video games represents a particularly significant field where technology, creativity, education, and new professions come together, offering opportunities to overcome stereotypes and promote broader participation of women.
The Forum also aims to continue the collaborations initiated through the Rome Forum Brief, a document that will collect the main reflections and recommendations that have emerged, and Circulus, a permanent network to promote projects and partnerships beyond the days of the event.
Participation in the Forum is free, with registration recommended. The event will take place exclusively in person.
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