by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Massimiliano Fedriga, Governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia; Katia Mignogna, President of Arte e Libro ETS Udine, Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic; Marco Calderone, Brand Ambassador Arte e Libro
Arte e Libro, a social cooperative based in Udine, will represent Friuli Venezia Giulia at a gala in Tokyo on Oct. 27 marking 160 years of diplomatic relations between Italy and Japan.
The cooperative, which has worked to support people with disabilities and others facing barriers to employment since 1984, was invited by Alessandra Locatelli, Italy’s minister for disabilities, to take part in the event at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo. The gathering will bring together Italian and Japanese institutional representatives and organizations working to promote social inclusion and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Arte e Libro will present its project, Divergente Gourmet — Bite Into Prejudice, which uses inclusive cooking to create employment opportunities and challenge stereotypes about disability. Participants will contribute directly to preparing and serving the gala dinner, with a menu designed to bring together culinary influences from Friuli Venezia Giulia and Japan.
The cooperative supports about 100 people, including 65 with disabilities, according to the regional government.
Massimiliano Fedriga, the governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia, praised the organization during a meeting with its representatives in Trieste on Wednesday, describing its work as an example of how social inclusion can also benefit local businesses and the wider economy.
Fedriga said the cooperative demonstrated how people who face barriers to employment could be supported in developing their abilities and contributing to the local economy. He also highlighted its role in promoting the region internationally and advancing the employment of people with disabilities.
The Tokyo event will showcase Italian initiatives that translate the principles of social and workplace inclusion into practical projects, organizers said.
For Arte e Libro, the gala will offer an opportunity to present a model that combines social support, professional skills and economic participation to an international audience.
