Follow the events of the Conference of Italian Youth Abroad (Conferenza Giovani Italiani nel Mondo) held in Rome, December 2008 in which over 20 young Italo-Australians participated including AusItalia.com editor David Ferrini.

We’re at the last day and what can be said of the first CGIM?

Days 1 and 2

After identifying with each of our general groups (Anglofoni, Europe, South America etc) it can be said that most of the people could relate to each other’s problems, needs and wants.

I myself, being an Italian Australian, enjoyed the company of fellow Anglo “paesi” delegates from South Africa, Canada and the U.S.A.
All Italian youth delegates abroad referred to themselves as part of the twenty-first region of Italy.

Australia's CGIM delegates on Day 1, FAO Building in Rome.

Australian Italians all voiced concerns, relating back to a G.I.A. (Giovani Italiani Australia) document that was initiated in September 2008 and finalized days before this conference in Italy.

Although the “Lingua” aspects of our Italo-Australian heritage was behind Canada and U.S.A. it was clear that we Australians had worked harder than the other countries to form and maintain links via “Informazione e Communicazione” thanks to internet sites and regional youth groups at state level, aswell as the incorporation of G.I.A.

Great Britain delegates, despite being Anglo, were considered to be part of the Europe pre-conference group.
By Tuesday all delegates were intermixed into thematic groups, five in total.
-    Language and Culture
-    Identity and Multiculturalism
-    Information and Communication
-    Work and Study exchange
-    Representation and Participation

Being a website administrator for Italian-Australian websites (GIA.org.au, Ginq.com and AusItalia.com) I elected to discuss Information and Communication issues.

Informazione e Communicazione delegates chose to cover topics including Italian television abroad, Italian radio abroad and Internet sites.

After hearing each other out, it seemed that most youth were disappointed with Italian broadcaster RAI International, reasons being lack of programming for youth and extra costs incurred by certain countries regarding the transmission of Serie A and B football games and the RAI International channel in general.

It appeared that most Italian communities abroad had access to radio stations covering mainly contemporary music and themes and most people agreed that RAI had to cover more stories of Italians abroad on television programmes.

The Internet information subject was the topic that most were concerned about.

The general consensus was that all wanted a central and official website available in the Italian language, a central portal promoted constantly for the purposes of informing people about work and study opportunities above all and incorporating all of the five themes discussed at the 2008 Roma conference.

Website administrators from South American countries were more concerned with the promotion of events and maintaining their culture within their respective countries.

Anglofoni countries were more concerned about language deficiency, given that most people of Italian heritage born in Anglo countries find it difficult to easily access and learn the Italian language.

From an Australian point of view fellow delegate Anthony Graziano of Sydney pointed out the need to incorporate a central portal with news of work opportunities.

Graziano also went on to say that Australia is an important component of work abroad for tertiary qualified Italian youth, pointing out that there are many opportunities within the Australian work force, a way to help Italy and not ask for anything in return.

Another way to help Italians youths in Italy seeking short term work is the current legislation between Italy and Australia allowing Italian passport holders a one year working visa to Australia.

This scheme is already well in use and many Italians, especially under 30 years of age, are taking advantage of their trip to “the lucky country”.

It was also noted that all themes discussed in Rome were all linked within each other in some form.

The general consensus from all delegates was that Italian Youth abroad are more conditioned than Italian youth in Italy. “We Italians abroad are more Italian than Italian youth in Italy”, a bold statement by Melbourne based Australian delegate Santo Pascuzzi, received a mixed reception.

Understanding of Pascuzzi’s point of view is easy for Italians living abroad. If you compare Italy’s current living conditions to that of 10-15 years ago it is easy to see, as an Italian abroad looking at Italy, that Italian ethics and traditions are dying as fast as its last remaining World War 2 survivors, most of which were upholding the Italian way of life.

  5th and last day of the Conferenza Giovani Italiani nel Mondo - Australia's delegates unite for a final photo.

Days 3-5

CGIE Ministers all proved to be optimistic in their summations of Italian youth abroad and the speculated success of the Roma conference

It was promised by Ministers attending the Conferenza that an official website be set-up to help service the needs of Italian youth living abroad.

It can be said that the needs for Italian youth in Latin America and African countries were far different from those in Europe and English speaking countries such as the United States, Great Britain, Australia and Canada.

It seemed that the greatest needs concerning Italian Language and Culture existed amongst the Anglo countries, incorporating the need for website information and Italian classes to be more regularly available.

Latin America’s Vocal Italian youth felt that more money was needed to maintain their events and various other aspects of life. Heart felt plees were constantly made, probably due to their respective dwindling economies, for more funding from Italy and relaxations on Italian television subscriptions.

Italian youth living in foreign European countries outnumbered all other continents. Once again calls for funding to maintain events were heard in the Plenaria of the FAO building as well as similar calls to that of the Anglo countries to form an official website.

The story of the North and Central African countries being represented was a desperate one. Italian youth based in these countries cried out for funding.

One could summarise that the five day conference in Rome was a way for youth to ask for money from Italy. I can tell you that this is  not the case. Some countries wanted financial help from Italy but only to promote Italy and help Italians abroad help each other and Italy. In the end Italy wins regardless.

South Africa’s representatives felt that they were the forgotten country of the “Anglofoni” and wanted more representation and help from Italy’s Ministers for Italians Abroad.

The final documents of each of the five themes from each continent were heard on Day 4 of the Conferenza and were combined overnight after much deliberation.

Continental representatives all met to create five final documents which were submitted before the Plenaria on Day 5. RAI TV presenter Piero Di Pasquale battled it out with CGIE representative Elio Carozza and a dozen Italian youth delegates over all five themes as RAI dedicated the Conferenza a televised hour. http://www.international.rai.it/italiaworld/mostra.php?id=9175

Carozza went on to explain that this conference is an investment for Italy, and for Italian youth abroad, an opinion that was not shared with many of the Italy based journalists who thought the conference (which cost 1.4m Euro) was a hinderance to tax payers money.

The investment was explained to be in terms of helping Italy’s youth in ways of work and cultural exchanges (as Italy’s employment rates worsen), pushing for the recognition of Italian university qualifications in foreign countries (such as Australia and U.S.A.) and participation of Italian youth abroad in local events to generate interest and economy.

Another point of concern was for the maintenance of the Italian language abroad, especially in the English speaking countries. This is viewed as a future money spinner as youth that don’t speak Italian are less likely to return to Italy for vacation or work, creating less turnover in Italy’s tourism industry.

Overall the conference was felt by many to be a huge success. To unite Italian youth representatives from all over the world to work toward a better future for Italian youth in general is something special.

Expressions of content from Napolitano, Berlusconi, Ciampi and Carozza should inspire those delegates who attended the conference to go back to their adopted countries and continue their work.

Hopefully words turn into action. In boca al lupo ;)

David Ferrini
AusItalia.com, GIA (Giovani Italiani Australia), GINQ (Giovani Italiani Network of Queensland).

 *Giovani Italiani Australia (GIA) is hosting its 2009 IGM March 14 and 15, Adelaide, Australia. Here GIA committee members and interested GIA members will discuss the Rome Conference and plan for more Italian Australian communications and meetings. 

Right - AusItalia editor David Ferrini with fellow delegates Fabio Orlando and Emilia Belfiore joined by CGIE's Luigi Casagrande.

View RAI INTERNATIONAL coverage of the Roma Conferenza Giovani Italiani nel Mondo 2008by following the link below

http://www.international.rai.it/italiaworld/mostra.php?id=9175