L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2021 www.italoamericano.org 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS vernment to be received by the new Biden administration, but also stated that, "The voice and leadership of Italy is cru- cial" in all shared dossiers. "Italy's commitment to NATO is and remains crucial. As al- lies, we are resolute in our pledge to protect our collective security and we work together to maintain international peace and stability," Di Maio confirmed, mentioning the Italian contribute to security at international level, from Af- ghanistan to Libya, from Le- banon to Iraq. It is non only a matter of flourishing commercial rela- tionships: "We are proud — Di Maio said, underlining how "the American market is es- sential in any strategy of trade promotion" — of the achieve- ments of our 'national cham- pions' in America, where the global value of Italian invest- ment is close to $33 billion dollars. There are almost 3,000 companies in the US participated by Italian inve- stors, which employ 250,000 people. Thanks to them, but also to an extended network of importers and distributors in both countries, before the pandemic, trade in goods and services exceeded 100 billion dollars." But also of rich bila- teral relations, "Driven by ex- tremely fruitful scientific, cul- tural and academic exchanges," and important so- cial connections. In his speech, the Italian minister wanted to mention"the Italian-Ameri- can community in the United States. They repre- sent the rich social fabric that connects the Italian and Ame- rican people and their contri- bution to our bilateral rela- tions is outstanding." Italian Ambassador in Wa- shington Armando Varric- chio also wanted to celebrate "a history made of political, di- plomatic, economic and cul- tural relations, of shared prin- ciples and values, and of steady migratory fluxes" by saying that, "Our solid demo- cracies are rooted in common values and our societies enjoy a continuous, fruitful ex- change in many areas of cul- ture and science, from inno- vation to technology. And our wonderful communities have an essential role in strengthe- ning a relationship made so special by their very existence. In occasion of this impor- tant anniversary, L'Italo- Americano had the oppor- tunity to interview the Italian Consul General in Los Ange- les, Silvia Chiave. "This solemn anniver- sary offers an opportunity to celebrate the ancient and vital bond of friend- ship between our two countries and our two peoples". These are the words of Italian ambas- sador in Washington Ar- mando Varricchio to com- ment on this anniversary. What do they mean to you, who represent Italy on the West Coast to- gether with the consulate in San Francisco? On the West Coast, there are Italians and Italian-Amer- icans who are extremely vital and active in every sector: from economics to technology, from cinema to university, Italians are perfectly inte- grated and contribute fully to promoting our country in this area. In Los Angeles we have an important community of professionals, young entrepre- neurs in cutting-edge sectors, leading researchers, scientists and academics as well as, of course, the numerous Italians who gravitate around the world of cinema. Also thanks to them, Italy is very popular here and the Americans of this area became a sophisti- cated and attentive public, who look with attention and interest to our food, to Made in Italy — synonymous with luxury — and, in general, to our lifestyle. Moreover, the Italian-Americans of the West Coast are an important re- source, as they love to redis- cover their roots, their Italian spirit and are increasingly pro- moting exchanges in every sector. From your point of view, what were the most important stages of this long-lasting diplomatic bond, based on mutual re- spect and esteem? The friendship between Italy and the United States dates back to when the two countries were not yet nations and is cemented, as high- lighted by the Minister of For- eign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio — who was on an official visit to Washington in recent days — by shared and founding values such as democracy, peace, re- spect for human rights and multilateralism. On this grounds, decades of "people to people" interactions have developed and contributed to the relations between the two countries. They have, indeed, constituted their lifeblood. In this sense, the migratory waves that led tens of thou- sands of Italians to seek their fortune in the United States over the past two centuries have certainly been very im- portant. As for the West Coast, it has been and still is an "elite" emigration of professionals in various sectors, of researchers and academics who have un- doubtedly drawn heavily on what the American dream had to offer, but who have also contributed in large part to the growth and development of this area. The contribution that the Italians have given to the development of this region is also widely recognized by Americans. As the Italian- American Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi said when speak- ing in Washington at the 160th anniversary celebrations, or- ganized by our Embassy, quoting a sentence pro- nounced by President Kennedy in 1961: "All of us are beneficiary of the Italian ex- perience." The anniversary is also an opportunity to deepen the cooperation between the two countries in key sectors such as innova- tion, technology, re- search, economy, and trade but also culture, museums, food. Are there any more details you can tell us about it? Certainly the areas of col- laboration are much broader than what may be initially be- lieved. Quoting Minister Di Maio again, current interna- tional challenges, such as the fight against climate change and the global recovery after the pandemic, addressed through the digital transition and the green transition, see us working side by side with the United States in a very strong partnership. In these areas, Southern California can certainly play a central role. Los Angeles in particular has always been wrongly consid- ered an entertainment capital only, while it is now an impor- tant hub for technological de- velopment, innovation and re- search. It is no coincidence that the so-called "silicon beach" was born here. And here are the headquarters of NASA's JPL, with which Italy boasts important and fertile collaborations since the times of the Cassini probe, and Space X, where several Italians work. Just to mention some realities that are not Holly- wood related. For this reason, the Consulate General and the other players in the Sistema Italia make themselves avail- able to Italian companies in- terested in this market. On April 20, for example, we or- ganize a webinar on digital tools available to Italian com- panies that want to export to this area; almost all the speak- ers are compatriots who have been successful here through the wise use of new technolo- gies and digital tools. On March 17, the Italyus160.org portal was launched, celebrating the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations be- tween Italy and the United States. What is its goal? The portal, under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic, wants to high- light the numerous areas of common understanding be- tween our two countries, which have always developed fruitful relations in the politi- cal, economic but also scien- tific, cultural, technological and academic fields. What kind of material will you find on the por- tal? The portal will be enriched with content throughout the year and wants to give space to the numerous initiatives or- ganized by the Italian diplo- matic and consular network in the United States. It is orga- nized into several sections — history and politics; economy and industry; art, music and cinema; language and litera- ture; innovation and technol- ogy; science and space — each of which tells the history and state of the art of cooperation between the two countries and defines the agenda of the most significant events organized by the diplomatic and consular network throughout 2021. A part of the portal, the Guestbook, seems very in- teresting. Which person- alities will be hosted? The Guestbook collects the testimonies of various Ameri- can, Italian and Italian-Amer- ican personalities who discuss, from their point of view, the richness of bilateral relations and the profound meaning of relations between Italy and the United States. The Guestbook is already full of interventions, but it will be fed throughout 2021 and will give an idea of how intercultural dialogue and the relationship between peo- ples have helped to strengthen and create fruitful relations between the two countries. The Guestbook will also in- clude the very high number of American personalities who have a close relationship with Italy — such as Willem Dafoe, married to a---ger genera- tions of migrants going to be involved in the project? Certainly in this context, and certainly for the West Coast, the so-called "new mo- bility" plays a fundamental role and must have adequate space and be rightly valued. Young researchers, doctors, university professors, entre- preneurs are many more than one might at first imagine and play a fundamental role in strengthening the historic bond of friendship between Italy and the United States, which we are happy to cele- brate this year, through new collaborations that lead to in- novation and progress. Continued from page 4 Consul General Silvia Chiave talks to L'Italo-Americano about the meaning of this week's celebrations. Photo courtesy of Silvia Chiave

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