December 11, 2008
I’ll begin elaboration by exploring the conference in significantly more detail then mentioned before. The idea/notion of this conference was sparked in 1993 and solid plans began to emerge in 1998. Since then member recruitment, planning and organizing of the conference began within parliament as well as through the CGIE and Com.It.Es. During this time a considerable amount of research was performed. This conference, being the FIRST of its kind, took off after the First International Conference for Italians Abroad in 2000.
Realizing the success of this conference, the Italian government reconfirmed their desire to hold the First International Conference for Italian Youth Abroad. Over the last three to four years the Italian government and CGIEs abroad began to schedule pre-conferences, where one delegate per country was sent to discuss the issues. Through these many pre-conferences and meetings the Italian government and CGIEs established the five pillars which we are focusing on during the conference and resemble the pillars used by the Italian government in planning. Within the last two years, each country has held national pre-conference meetings financed by CGIE and Com.It.Es of each respective nation. Through these pre-conferences the nations’ stance on these issues and ideas for aiding the Italian government were established in working documents, all of which were signed by the youth who worked on them and published on the CGIE website.
As mentioned in earlier blog(s) this conference in Rome represents the work of thousands of youth and Italians abroad who collaborated together in the interest of Italians. Moreover, within the time period mentioned above, I told you the Italian government had performed much research. They performed statistical analyses and surveys through which they determined with certainty that Italian self-identity within the Italian community (Abroad and in Italy) is being lost. The research also mentioned the failing economy of Italy. Comparing the data collected by an IPSUS study over the last four years (which was presented during the conference today) shows these trends, and that they are persisting regardless of the government’s current interventions. Supporting the notion that the current system is just not working and that a new approach needs to be adopted; what better approach is there to take then to listen to Italians abroad, consumers of Italian exports. With exports being such a significant contribution to the Italian GDP and GNP it makes such logical sense to seek their opinion and re-spark the Italian economy.
Further support for hearing the voices of Italian youth abroad is found in the Italian constitution: Section one states that “Italy is a Republic” as well sections 56 and 57 state that Italy will establish and support communities of Italians abroad. Understanding these three clauses and Italian history it seems logical that this conference should take place, not only as a means to keep Italians aboard engaged, but also to help provide knowledge and support to the Italian government and economy. However this conference has had much resistance since the start: resistance from the opposition, resistance and criticism from the media as well as citizens (abroad and in Italy).
These resistances comes in 2 major forms:
A. Communication flaws
B. The Nature of Italian politics
Through the conference we hope to address and explore the former point.
Our final document proposes that the government increase ease of access
of/to information to all Italians. In Italy the regional governments
have efforts in place to bring high-speed internet to every town in
Italy, allowing Italians at home better and easier access to
information. We the Italian Youth abroad suggest that there be a
central website created where information as well as links can be
posted. These two actions alone should increase the ease of access to
information, increasing knowledge and understanding while decreasing
confusion.
The latter point is an issue that exists in all political systems
however tends to be exemplified in the Italian system as it has existed
in Italian politics since the formation of the Republic. The reason
being is that the two parties in government do NOT work together,
rather they often clash. This is exemplified in the Italian system as
the elected party is central-right and the opposition is very left,
ironically though many decisions made by the parties are not
representative of their side of the spectrum. To further aggravate the
situation the media tends to play on everything.
As mentioned in previous blogs this conference has elicited a great
deal of debate within caucus, as well as after official conference
hours. However through these countless hours of efforts the 28 nations
are working on compiling and establishing the international stance of
Italian Youth Abroad (which all of today was spent doing in our temaci
groups). However in addition to the work done during the conference in
writing a final document, the hope of this conference by the Italian
government is to present to Italians abroad what Italy truly is, and
what Italy has to offer. They are doing so by giving us a transit pass
and museum pass, encouraging us to explore the city of Rome, the
history and the culture. As well tonight we were invited to an opera
performed by Italian music students again showing us Italy’s potential.
The opera was followed by a buffet where we got to taste foods from
over 6 different Italian regions, again allowing us to explore first
hand the unique culture of Italy.
Returning to the topic, the goal of this conference is to unite leaders
of the Italian youth communities internationally, and allow us to form
strong networks. So that the discussions and work we begin at this
conference will continue long after this week. In the hopes that this
conference can act as a catalyst for change, so that each of us will
return to our communities and strengthen the Italian community and
promote the Italian culture and through this help the Italian economy.
This reconfirms that this conference is not a week event; rather it is
a symbol of the work of thousands over the last many years and a
foundation to build upon for the next many to come!