Friday, December 15, 2006

Representation of Italians Abroad Needs More Concern For Youth: Deputy Minister Danieli

The ANNOTICO Report

 

Either the Minister was speaking in Diplomatese, or the Journalist was writing in Obscura, but I had real difficulty isolating the problem recited, or the solution suggested. Perhaps you can better interpret!! :)

 

Time to Rethink Representation of Italians Abroad


'Inserting in a few youth will not solve problems,' Deputy Minister Danieli

 

Tandem

Canada's Cosmopolitan News

Dec 17,2006 - Dec 24,2006


Tackling the issue of young emigrants presupposes the ability to innovate both the traditional cultural and conceptual categories and the operational response concerning representation of emigrants.

 

This position was voiced, in an address to the general assembly of the General Council of Italians Abroad (CGIE), by deputy foreign minister Franco Danieli - in charge of Italians abroad - who also remarked that "in many cases, the existing structures are no longer adequate to achieve large-scale, inclusive involvement and representation; they often have no relation whatsoever with younger generations, and are having a hard time even in regard of older emigrants."


Danieli's address, entirely based on the need for innovating and reforming the whole network of representation of Italian emigrants, underscored that "today's emigrants have very different connotations from those of the past, when emigration, nostalgically projected onto a longed-for (and seldom achieved) homecoming, was an extreme, long-term decision, taken out of need, and not a free, voluntary choice.

 

On the contrary, today's mobility, from one's country of origin, or between different countries of employment, has acquired a positive value, becoming synonymous with autonomy, dynamism, professional and existential success. For these emigrants, the country where they were born and raised is neither foreign nor hostile; it's not 'abroad'."


Danieli continued, "We should not think that keeping the current representations and organizations as they are, possibly rejuvenating them a little bit by inserting a few youth in them, could solve the problem. What we need to do is a comprehensive redesign, a structural reform of these entities, including a redefinition of their mission. Declaiming, in self-referential fashion, their past merits will do nothing to revamp them, despite their continuing importance; it could only serve to build another wax museum."


"I want to stress once again," concluded Danieli, "that I am not predetermining any specific solution; that will come out of a wide-ranging discussion among many subjects involved.

 

With the admission to Parliament of people elected in the Overseas Constituency, institutional representation of Italians living abroad has been completed, based on a three-layer structure: COMITES, CGIE, and MPs. While part of one design, these three levels were conceived and regulated in different times and circumstances; they reflect the periods and political phases of their conception.

 

There is a clear, immediate need for a comprehensive reorganization, reform and harmonization of the existing levels."

 

 

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