The institutional welcome dinner for the International Ombudsman Conference, organised by the Civic Defender of the Lazio Region, took place on the evening of 26 May at the terrace of the Sala della Protomoteca on the Capitoline Hill. Marino Fardelli and from the National Coordination of Italian Civic Defenders, at the opening of the international Conference scheduled for May 28th and 29th at the Chamber of Deputies.
The evening, organised with the decisive contribution of ANCI Lazio, welcomed over 300 international delegates including Ombudsmen, Civic Defenders, institutional representatives and delegations from Europe, Africa, Asia and America, offering a moment of dialogue and welcome within the historic setting of the Campidoglio.
At the opening, the institutional greetings of the President of the Regional Council of Lazio Antonello Aurigemma, of the President of ANCI Lazio Daniele Sinibaldi and of the delegate of the Mayor of Rome Capital Elio Tomassetti, President of the XII Municipality.
The President of ANCI Lazio, Daniele Sinibaldi, focused his speech on the fundamental value that Civic Ombudsmen provide daily for communities, with particular attention to their role in local areas, where the relationship between citizen and institution is more direct and the need for protection more immediate. Sinibaldi emphasised how ANCI Lazio wanted to contribute concretely to the organisation of the event precisely because of this conviction, recognising the institution of the civic defence as an essential pillar of democracy and proximity. In his speech, he extended his heartfelt thanks to President Aurigemma and Civic Ombudsman Fardelli for the initiative and for their commitment to building an increasingly solid and cohesive international network.
Aurigemma, in turn, highlighted the strategic importance of civic defence as a tool to bridge the gap between institutions and citizens, announcing ongoing work to equip Civic Defenders with more effective tools capable of responding to societal transformations, starting with technological innovation. «The International Conference of Civic Defenders represents a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, experiences and paths, to strengthen the network and a proper synergy,» declared the President of the Lazio Legislative Assembly.
On the hospitality front, the “Ugo Tognazzi” Hotel Institute of Velletri played a leading role, taking care of the evening's service and bringing the excellence of vocational training in the Lazio region to a significant international institutional venue. The presence of the institute also represented a tangible opportunity for work-linked training, showcasing the skills of young students to a high-profile audience.
The products served, all with municipal denomination De.Co. and part of the “basket" of“Common Origin”— ANCI Lazio's project for the valorisation of local specialities — have concretely embodied the values of healthy, authentic, and locally-rooted eating. This theme was also connected to the awareness campaign on eating disorders presented by Nadia Accetti's association, Donna Donna Onlus. Numerous Lazio agri-food producers were present, including Massimiliano Scarchilli. On the table, there was also the fisherman's soup from Anzio, served by Il Turcotto restaurant, a dish of maritime tradition capable of conveying the deep identity of a local community to an international audience.
The international conference will continue on 28 and 29 May at the Chamber of Deputies.