"Volunteering is one of the most precious resources of a society. Luckily for us, Italy is full of volunteers and associations that collect and organize this civil energy. Volunteers who bring relief to hospitals. Volunteers who give strength to civil protection ; who deal with environmental safety; who safeguard and enhance cultural heritage".
The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella
, said this
on the occasion of the official inauguration of
Trento, the European and Italian capital of volunteering 2024
.
"Solidarity - he continues - is a movement that starts from consciences".
"Trento - continues the Head of State - is now the European and Italian capital of volunteering. A recognition of the culture of its people, of the current experiences of solidarity and participation which continue to support the growth of the community. Being the capital is also a great opportunity for meeting, of joint research, of reflection and knowledge. The opportunity to highlight good practices, such as those represented here. Today, and at a European level, Trento is recognized as a great power of solidarity, the underlying value of volunteering
. Volunteering is one of the most precious resources of a society
. Italy, fortunately for us, is full of volunteers and associations that collect and organize these civil energies. Volunteering expresses a vision of the world. That of the indivisibility of the human condition
. famous "I care", "it concerns me", adopted by Don Milani and Martin Luther King
. A vision that places the person in the foreground, the integrality of his life, his full right to be an active part of the community.
For this reason it values relationships between people, dialogue, friendship.
A commitment which, in small areas, immerses one's hands every day in concrete problems and worries and, however, leads one to think big because it knows that everyone contributes to everyone's path.
Solidarity is a movement that starts from consciences.
We need solidarity, to express it and receive it, to feel part of a community and its history that continues."
"Volunteering is itself generative of a thought, an expression of a choice.
The choice in favor of human beings
, of every human being. For this reason volunteers can be defined as 'champions of humanity'", said the President of the Republic.
"Solidarity, moreover, is a cornerstone of the legal systems"
, he added.
Mattarella: 'Megalizzi had made Europe his vocation'
"The insufficiencies of Europe, the shortcomings that are to the detriment of the citizens, depend most of the time precisely on a lack of solidarity. The young Antonio Megalizzi
was aware of this,
and for this reason he had made Europe his vocation, the its ideal horizon. Volunteering is born in a personal and community sphere that precedes the institutions. The first form of organization of every society is based on the desire to unite for common objectives", said the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, on the occasion of the official inauguration of Trento, European and Italian capital of volunteering 2024.
As he reiterated, "our Constitution recognizes it as a prerequisite for truly civil development. Article 2 is eloquent in this regard, which provides that the Republic "recognises and guarantees" the inviolable rights of man, both of individuals and of social formations, and requires the fulfillment of the mandatory duties of political, economic and social solidarity".
"Europe - said Mattarella - is an expression of solidarity: first of all between the enemies of the two world wars who, with courage, gave space to the values of coexistence and encounter, not by chance with a protagonist from Trento, Alcide De Gasperi".
"Growing solidarity in Europe - in every direction - means making Europe and the people who live in it grow. We have measured its importance during the Covid pandemic", so the head of state.
Mattarella: 'Dramatic consequences of the Russian invasion'
"A greeting of particular intensity to the
mayor of Lviv, Andrij Sadovyj
, to whom I renew feelings of friendship which have ancient and solid roots and which the dramatic consequences of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine have further strengthened. His freedom, his independence, they are one with the founding values of Europe."
The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, said this on the occasion of the official inauguration of Trento, the European and Italian capital of volunteering 2024.
Reproduction reserved © Copyright ANSA