Villages are depopulating, cities are being evacuated, and all of Sardinia is being depopulated, but Europe is also depopulating. What solutions are available for the island? The mayor of Quartu Sant'Elena, Graziano Milia, suggests: "There are two solutions to depopulation: either have more children or bring in people from abroad." But above all, we are trying to move forward united and cohesively, to force a political reversal and focus on concrete solutions that combat depopulation, but above all, to boost development. "Cities and Countries" was a dialogue between mayors to build a shared future, for a more cohesive, more just, and more forward-thinking Sardinia. Organized by the Nino Carrus Association, the event featured the mayor of Quartu, Graziano Milia; the mayor of Fonni, Daniela Falconi (regional president of ANCI); Patrizia Carta, mayor of Abbasanta; Manuela Pintus, mayor of Arborea; and Rita Zaru, mayor of Noragugume. The debate was coordinated by Gilberto Marras. The host, Riccardo Uda, mayor of Macomer, opened the discussion, immediately highlighting the railway situation. "Regarding the railway line that is planned between Abbasanta and Nuoro, I agree with his philosophy. However, that route will harm central Sardinia because it will cut off the industrial areas of Macomer and Ottana.

Dialogue is necessary." Graziano Milia, mayor of Quartu: "Sardinia is depopulating, except for Olbia and Gallura, which are already paying very high prices, as are Alghero and other coastal areas. We haven't understood the consequences of globalization. Politics are abandoning Sardinia. We don't know what to become. We need to make courageous choices, and in this context, autonomy is becoming a burden." Patrizia Carta, mayor of Abbasanta: "The villages are becoming deserted, and for those who remain, there is almost nothing, especially the lack of services." Manuela Pintus, mayor of Arborea: "We have shaped our community with cooperatives; we provide milk, meat, rice, and fruit and vegetables. This is no longer enough. We need to strengthen relationships with other communities, especially with the larger towns." Rita Zaru, mayor of Noragugume: "Regenerating our community is difficult. We need resources, we need to maintain services, and we need to be able to generate jobs. The school closures were a good thing, because with only five children there was no room for growth. So we decided to consolidate everything in the Dualchi schools. A difficult decision, but one we believe is necessary." Daniela Falconi, mayor of Fonni, regional president of ANCI: "Depopulation? I'd say desertification. In the historic centers there are abandoned houses, a lack of services, and businesses that aren't growing. There is human and political desertification. Those who leave win, those who stay give up. Municipal administrators have become bonus providers. We have to invent services, which are not all the same; in any case, they are boxes we don't know how to manage." Rosanna Carboni, president of the Nino Carrus association: "The meeting served to give greater impetus and contribute to the concrete development of our island, thus trying to curb depopulation. We are moving forward, working cohesively and with foresight."

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