"The problem of finding canonical Kaehler metrics on compact manifolds is central in Kaehler geometry. Since the pioneering work of Calabi, the existence problem for Kaehler-Einstein (and more generally constant scalar curvature, or even extremal Kaehler) metrics has attracted considerable attention. In this circle of ideas the most fascinating problem is represented by the so-called Yau-Tian-Donaldson conjecture, which predict the equivalence between the K-polystability of a polarized manifold and the existence of a constant scalar curvature (or more generally extremal) Kaehler metric in the polarization class. In this vein we propose the following three main research objectives: first, find an algebraic criterion for K-stability of polarized manifolds; second, study the effect of symplectic reduction on relative K-stability; third study the Calabi flow (in particular on toric manifolds) adapting the La Nave-Tian and Arezzo-La Nave approach to the Kahhler-Ricci flow. We propose to develop the research at Princeton University, under the superfision of prof. G. Tian, and Parma University, under the supervision of prof. C. Arezzo."