The historic International Volunteer Award of Focsiv, the federation of international volunteer organizations of Christian inspiration, this year is dedicated to Nino Santomartino, vice-president of the Federation, who passed away last July. The XXXII edition of the Award, which received the Medal of the President of the Republic, will take place on November 29th in the spaces of the River Industries in Rome. On this occasion, there are two scheduled appointments: the morning will in fact be dedicated to story of the project “For a society without inequalities”financed by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies. The project is characterized by initiatives aimed at children, with workshops and activities aimed at understanding the structural causes underlying disparities and acquiring tools and skills for active participation.
With the Shalom Movement in the lead roleFocsiv member, the focus was on the promotion of diversity, solidarity and children’s rights. Moments of reflection alternated with workshops and concrete actions, also together with Caritas. «Talking about inequalities and working to combat them», he underlines Ivana Borsottopresident of Focsiv, «means concretely affirming justice and the universal rights of humanity as a principle and as an end, because inequalities undermine social cohesion, weaken democracy, limit development opportunities and threaten our future and that of the planet».
Part of the training path is the photography competition “Shots against inequalities”. The name of the winner will be announced at the River Industries. As a prize, the publication of an interview by the Dire agency, media partner, is expected on November 29th together with the weekly Famiglia Cristiana and the daily newspaper Avvenire.
Following, there will be the Volunteer Award ceremony. Also remembering Nino Santomartino and reflecting on the legacy of his commitment will be Carlo Ciavoni, journalist of the newspaper La Repubblica, Mario Mancini, president of the Progettomondo organization, Franco Rivoli, president of Cps, and Giovanni Lattanzi, president of Aoi. With them Rossella De Rosa. Video contributions are also planned, edited by Dario Lo Scalzo, with the voice of Alessandra Fabbretti. «Dedicating the Focsiv volunteering award to Nino Santomartino, who was its vice-president, is a significant gesture for our Federation because it recognizes and honors a person who authentically embodied the values of volunteering”, Borsotto underlines, «commitment, generosity and responsibility towards others». And again: «Nino stood out for his competence, his constant availability, his ability to help without asking for anything in return and his sensitivity towards the most fragile people».
(In the photo above: Nino Santomartino)
