CAMNES aims at the achievement of an international project of scientific excellence, research and advanced studies that seeks to overcome traditional geographic boundaries by creating a network between different institutions and universities - public and private - involved in education and scientific research in Italy in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions. The main objective of this Center therefore, is to bring continuity and dynamism to the study of ancient cultures of the Mediterranean and the Near East through new systems of integrated education and research to acquire knowledge about and faster transmission of the common roots of Western and Eastern civilization. The other important mission that CAMNES is aiming at, especially in Italy, is to actively involve in its activities young students and researchers of Archaeology and Ancient Studies, whether related to the academic Study Abroad program, or those more strictly connected to research projects. Past and recent developments in the academic and research environments, in fact, do not leave many concrete possibilities open, certainly, on the contrary, they will encourage the notorious phenomenon of brain drain. Nevertheless, even though a large number of brilliant minds are leaving, a large group of talented "professionals" have decided to remain, despite this controversial asset. Usually, those who remain are driven by passion and their volitional capacity than the economic returns of their work. It is to these subjects, often located in an academic limbo, without real and practical perspectives that we address our interest, aware that we live in a country where archaeological and cultural heritage should be at the forefront of investment for our nation's future and because cultural heritage is at the heart of our national identity and of our historical memory. It is a heritage, as stated by Salvatore Settis, which we meet "without intending to and without even thinking about it." The capillary network of historical and natural beauties is, as a unique case in the world, the connective tissue of our country which cannot be simply the land of good food, holidays, clothes and little more. If it is true that in matters of cultural heritage Italians do not need to learn but rather teach about it, it is equally true that words of circumstance do not correspond to adequate countermeasures and our institutions can hardly conceive tutelage only as a defense of the existing, whereas we should work so that it can become a constant activity of knowledge and research, which exploits the maximum of the existing skills. For these and other motives CAMNES wants to follow a "cultural journey", a parallel philosophy, following the model of the Empowerment, not necessarily antagonistic, to the one that has been put into practice in these recent decades from our scientific and academic institutions. CAMNES wants to promote and enhance the work of young archaeologists and students of the ancient who have talent, curiosity and motivation, the same students that through their long process of their studies that characterized their course of education contribute to the increase of the scientific value of the discipline and who often remain anonymous.
