The example of the righteous as a way to educate to the good and to contrast the hatred speeches so widespread in today’s society. This is the message that the Gariwo Foundation is preparing to bring tomorrow to the New York Glass Palace, the United Nations headquarters, as part of the fourth international day to counter hatred speeches, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly.
Gariwo Foundation (the acronym alludes to Gardens of the Righteous Worldwide, that is, gardens of the righteous in the world) It has been selected as an example of good practice, in a world increasingly crossed by conflicts, polarization and verbal violence, online and offline. Bringing the memory of the good in the heart of international diplomacy means affirming the value of the treatment for the other and active memory as tools of prevention and dialogue. In New York, the Foundation delegation, chaired by Gabriele Nissim, will launch an appeal for the international recognition of the day of the righteous and for the creation of new gardens of the righteous in all Member States.
An ambitious result to which Punta Gariwo, born in 1999 in Milan from the meeting of the four founders: Gabriele Nissim, historian and author of books on the righteous, the honorary console of Armenia in Italy Pietro Kuciukian and the philosopher Ulianova Radice, who disappeared in 2018, and Anna Maria Samuelli, current manager of the Education Commission.
In 2003, together with the Municipality of Milan, Gariwo promoted the first garden of the righteous in the world at Monte Stella, which since 2009 was managed by the Association for the Garden of the Giusti in Milan, composed of Gariwo, the Municipality of Milan and the Union of Italian Jewish Communities. Not only that: he obtained from the European Parliament In 2012 the establishment of the day of the righteous, on March 6, which in 2017 was recognized civil solemnity in Italy as the day of the righteous of humanity.
To give an idea of the work of the Gariwo Foundation with the world of school it should be remembered that every year – between “Memory Travel”, initiatives in the classes and visits to the Garden of Milan – about 7 thousand students are involved; However, a number that doubles if you consider the numerous local initiatives with the Giardini dei Giusti in the various schools.
What will be presented at the UN is, therefore, an ambitious objective but within the reach of hand, given the growing appreciation, gradually conquered internationally by Gariwo with its meritorious initiatives. In 2024 the office of the United Nations Special Councilor for the prevention of the genocide (Unosapg) and the Gariwo Foundation had already signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen cooperation in the prevention of genocides and the promotion of the Giardini dei Giusti. For its part, Unosapg has already participated in numerous Gariwo initiatives in the world, contributing to the opening of new gardens of the righteous and supporting educational and awareness projects.
Reached by “Christian family”explains Nissim: “Today the idea of public relationship between states, of international law and even the institution of the United Nations is underway, which some states would like to dismantle for having a green light for a power and abuse policy on others. Speaking in this context of righteous may seem absurd, but what inspired us in all these years has always been the courage to dare, breaking the patterns and trying to do things; Trying to make projects starting only from personal responsibility, not from the strength of an power of others, just to try to set something new in motion. Without naivety and senselessness nothing ever changes ». Nissim continues: “Let’s go to New York with the hope that our gardens will become a pedagogical tool for hatred prevention to be spread in the world And with the dream that the day of the righteous may soon be adopted by the UN General Assembly “.
Gariwo’s intervention will take place at 8.30 (14.30 Italian) on Wednesday 18 June. Under the guidance of Joshua Evangelista, head of the Foundation’s communication, the president will take the floor Gabriele Nissim, Martina Landigeneral director e Benedetta MacRipòGariwonetwork manager. The introduction of the meeting is entrusted to VIRginia GambaGeneral Undersecretary and UN Special Councilor for the prevention of genocides. There are also two remote interventions of the representatives of the Giardini dei Giusti di Neve Shalom-Wahat al-Salam (Israel/Palestine) and Kamonyi (Rwanda): two examples of active memory for peace and reconciliation.
In the photo, Gabriele Nissim.
