Posted on 24 September 2018
Italian winners of the European Parliament’s European Citizen’s Prize received their medals on 21 September at a ceremony co-hosted by the European Parliament in Italy and the European Archives of the European Union, at the European University Institute.
The awardees were Fr Virginio Colmegna, who has dedicated his life to social inclusion; the non-profit organisation Fo.B.A.P for its work with people afflicted with autism spectrum disorders; Doctor Paola Scagnelli from Lodi, for her work with albino children in Tanzania; and Professor Antonio Silvio Calò for his (and his family’s) efforts supporting the integration of young immigrants in Treviso and beyond.
During the ceremony, Fr Virginio Colmegna met with applause when he remarked that, although we live in difficult, contentious times, ‘goodness (bontà) is one value that we can safely proclaim and defend’.
While Chiara, a highschool student attending the ceremony with her classmates from the Liceo statale Machiavelli Capponi appreciated the event for its power to inspire people to reflect on European values, her classmate Filippo instead valued the experience for its capacity to make him feel part of the bigger European project.
Representing the institutions were Valeria Fiore of the Office of the European Parliament in Italy; Beatrice Covassi representing the European Commission in Italy; Cristina Giachi, Vice Mayor of Florence; Anna Ravoni, Mayor of Fiesole, and Vincenzo Grassi, Secretary General of the EUI.
Members of European Parliament Brando Benifei and Remo Sernagiotto awarded the medals, praising each of the recipients for their dedication to inclusion and their concrete demonstration of the values enshrined in the European Charter of Fundamental Rights.
Don Virginio Colmegna and Antonio Silvio Calò (centre) following the ceremony.