by InTrieste
In a heartfelt address at the Hall of Representation in Trieste’s Regional Palace, Governor Massimiliano Fedriga underscored the vital role of people-to-people connections in strengthening international relations.
Speaking to a group of young members from the National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), Fedriga emphasized that robust ties between countries extend beyond national diplomacies and economic investments to include cultural and familial bonds.
“Strengthening the connection between Western democracies, particularly between Europe and the United States, and Italy and the United States, is fundamental for our future,” Fedriga said. “The visit to our region by young people seeking to reconnect with their family’s origins can only support this path.”
The NIAF, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Italian history, language, and culture in the United States, serves as a cornerstone for the approximately 20 million Americans of Italian descent. The visit to Friuli Venezia Giulia by 24 young men and women, aged 19 to 21, highlights the organization’s mission. The group, hailing from various states across the U.S., will remain in the region until June 29.
“Friuli Venezia Giulia is a land of meeting, dialogue, and peace,” Fedriga told the NIAF guests. “Reconnecting with their roots is not simple and requires years of commitment, but it is crucial for contributing to a model of united and cohesive Western democracies capable of withstanding an international scenario still fraught with tensions.”
Following the meeting, the governor received a cap from the young NIAF members and posed for photographs in the palace atrium, symbolizing the warm relations between Italy and the United States.
The young visitors’ stay in Friuli Venezia Giulia is expected to deepen their understanding of their heritage, further strengthening the cultural bridge between the two nations. As international relations face increasing challenges, initiatives like these underscore the importance of personal connections in fostering enduring diplomatic ties.
