Andriy Shevchenko, Ballon d'Or and AC Milan champion, was awarded the Key to Europe Award for his commitment to peace in Ukraine at the meeting on young people and Europe.
The initiative took place on the anniversary of the first year of the war.
Florentine and Roman students took part in the meeting “European Citizenship.
Youth between protagonism and identity”, promoted by Acri, the CR Firenze Foundation, the European University Institute and La Nuova Europa, in collaboration with the Regional School Office for Tuscany.
The meeting was held in the Saloncino of the Teatro La Pergola in Florence
Promoted by the La Nuova Europa Association and the Municipality of Ventotene, the recognition was previously awarded, among others, to the late President of the European Parliament David Sassoli and to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
Shevchenko
stood out for his efforts
, since the first weeks after the Russian invasion of Ukraine,
to raise awareness among the European public and allow young Ukrainians to be able to continue playing sports
.
A crystal clear example of the values of peace, solidarity and participation which underlie the European Union.
The students involved in the day - representing 12 schools in Rome and Florence - took part in some
training initiatives on the subject of European citizenship, including the "School of Europe"
of the association La Nuova Europa, an international project - supported by foundations of banking origin, through the Fund for common initiatives of Acri - which aims to accompany the training of young European citizens, through courses of civic education in a historical, economic and cultural key.
A participatory method that engages young people in developing their idea of Europe, making them active and aware protagonists.
At the meeting in Florence, they expressed their doubts and questions, taking advantage of the presence of experts and authoritative scholars.
Present for a greeting
Eugenio Giani
, president of the Tuscany Region,
Dario Nardella
, Mayor of Florence, again
Luigi Salvadori
, president of the CR Firenze Foundation, Francesco
Profumo
, president of Acri, Renaud
Dehousse
, president of the European University Institute, Piero
Graglia
, full professor of History of Relations international, State University of Milan;
Elena
Grech
, Deputy Head of the European Commission Office in Italy;
Roberto
Sommella
, president of La Nuova Europa;
Luana
Moresco
, president of the Megalizzi Foundation;
Paula
Gori
, European University Institute and Secretary General of the European Digital Media Observatory.
Moderating will be the Deputy Director of Ansa, Stefano
Polli
.
During the initiative, a video message from Giovanni Malagò
, president of Coni , was also broadcast
.
“We wanted to promote this event – stated the
President of the CR Firenze Foundation Luigi Salvadori
– to underline an anniversary which marked a dramatic watershed in the history of Europe.
For this reason, we believe that every initiative aimed at promoting peace is appropriate and necessary.
Above all, as in this case, if it is aimed at the new generations that we must help to train on the subject of European citizenship".
"Europe is and wants to be the home of peace and solidarity - declared
Francesco Profumo, president of Acri
-. In these 12 months since the invasion of Ukraine, the EU is confirming to the world that it is a community of States and of citizens who share the values of hospitality, human rights, democracy, participation, pluralism. In Europe there is no room for oppression and for war"
"We are proud to have collaborated with our partners Fondazione CR and Acri in organizing this exciting initiative, which is fully part of the mission of the European University Institute - said Renaud Dehousse, president of the
European University Institute
-. Through our activities in schools , and the EU Historical Archives that we host, disseminating knowledge about Europe is part of our DNA."
"The Key of Europe Award to Andriy Shevchenko - continues
Roberto Sommella, President of La Nuova Europa
- represents how one year after the outbreak of war in Ukraine there are men and women still willing to fight for peace. Like millions of young people are ready to become true European citizens.The New Europe, the School of Europe and all its supporters, starting with the friends of ACRI, the European Commission, the Municipality of Ventotene, CONI, the European University Institute, the many institutions, schools and associations with which he works, will always be at the side of those who get involved for a united Europe".
