L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 www.italoamericano.org 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS with our allies and all other major actors, to protect such progress and to ensure the country does not become, once again, fertile ground for terrorism. Last week, on the occasion of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, our Minister for Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio chaired a meeting about the protection of Afghan women's rights, and a G20 Ministerial meeting about Afghanistan, in anticipation of the G20 extraordinary meeting, which Italy will host in October. Earlier in this interview, you mentioned Anthony Fauci. He is only one of the many Italian- Americans and Italians who helped build the USA. Although Italian- American stereotypes are still present, the commu- nity represents added value for the country. What do you think it needs the most right now? Italians proved their value in all fields in America, including the current fight against the pandemic. There are more than 17 million Americans of Italian descent, and we have been experiencing a new migratory influx, mostly consisting of entrepreneurs, professors and students, economists working for international financial institutions, scientists, and researchers working for prestigious centers such as the National Institute of Health and NASA. There are more than 15.000 Italian researchers in the US. More than 4.000 are part of ISSNAF (Italian Scientists and Scholars of North America Foundation). In the US, Italians have increasingly become a symbol of our country's many excellences. Giving value to their commitment and talent is our priority, and a winning strategy to overcome old stereotypes. I t a l i a n - A m e r i c a n communities across the US, including the numerous Italian-Amer- ican communities on the West Coast, seem to lack the ability to network more holistically: is there a way to improve this? Our Embassy supports the creation of a well-sustained network, by promoting Italianness at 360 degrees, as well as by giving importance to the role of our communities in society. With our Consulates, Institutes of Culture, ITA (Italian Trade Agency) offices, the Agenzia Nazionale del Turismo (the national agency for tourism), and Chambers of Commerce, we have been working holistically to support the country. We have been working to strengthen specific groups, such as that of Italian researchers and academics in the US. We, for instance, believe in the growth of ISSNAF and will give great value -- also thanks to the opening of a new museum designed by Renzo Piano -- to the collaboration between Italy and the US in cinema, a union symbolized by the five-year agreement stipulated between the Academy and Cinecittà, the two founding supporters of the museum. L'Italo-Americano is the oldest Italian- American newspaper in the US. During its 113 years of history, it always worked hard to promote the Italian language and Italian-American culture, while giving voice to the West Coast's Italian- American community. What can the consular network do to support such an indispensable instrument of communitarian cohesion and promotion for Italian culture, products, and Made in Italy? Your newspaper is a formidable instrument to keep the interest in our country alive. You promote a modern, vital image of Italy, stressing its excellences, often in pioneering sectors. By doing so, you keep the memory the Italian-American community has of its Fatherland always modern and up to date. Italy is aware of your role, and this is why the Presidenza del Consiglio provides funding to the most deserving international media outlets, just like L'Italo-Americano. Your excellent relationship with our consulates in Los Angeles and San Francisco is another reason we consider you an integral part of our Sistema Italia. ITA. The diffusion of Italian-sounding products is worrying because it represents a threat to Italy's economy and export. When it comes to Made in Italy, our paper wants to educate its readers about the importance of authen- ticity. What do the Embassy and the consular network do to protect Italian products in the US? We're committed to fighting against this issue, and we know you are a precious ally on this front. Initiatives like the Settimana della Cucina Italiana nel Mondo and campaigns like True Italian Taste aim at improving people's knowledge and use of Made in Italy products. Along with these campaigns, to the diffusion of which you contribute, we also support Italian businesses on the American market. It's easier in LA because people here are passionate about our lifestyle, and value quality -- a synonym of Made in Italy -- very much. Consumers are the greatest allies Italian quality products can have. In fact, even people who initially choose non- authentic products eventually prefer genuine Made in Italy, because produced with quality materials and irreplicable craftsmanship. Climate and energy transition, technology and innovation, aerospace and defense, startup and business. There are many projects to develop together, all while we are still fighting against the pandemic. What is the common thread connecting Italy to the US? Innovation and susta- inability are key terms, and fighting against climate change is, especially this year, an important driver for many projects, from renewable energy to electric cars, from hydrogen to high-speed trains. The digital revolution is another opportunity for us: by the end of the year, Italy is launching, here in California, an Innovation Hub dedicated to innovative business, venture capital, and start-up. Collaboration between Italy and the US has been growing also in aerospace, from space station modules to the Virgin Galactic flight our Aeronautica Militare bought. And Italy is ready to play a relevant role in the study of the Moon and Mars, too, thanks to Artemis. The exchange of goods and services between Italy and the US has grown, registering numbers higher than in 2019. Here in LA, I appreciated the business community's dynamism and the vitality of its bond with Italy. Many Italian start-ups are based in Silicon Beach, and many Italians work in the high-tech sector. We're almost in October, Italian Heritage Month. What's your message to the Italian community on this occasion, especially in light of the ongoing wave of historical revisionism concerning Cristoforo Colombo? We must safeguard our shared values and our shared history's positive symbols. Italian Heritage Month celebrates Italian culture, history, and the invaluable contribution Italy made to America. It is a way to celebrate the country's historical roots, upon which we can build a shared future while preserving symbols and a sense of belonging. Continued from page 4 Ambassador Zappia with Mattia Biaggi, Director of the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) in LA, Alessandra Rainaldi, and Director of the Italian Cultural Institute, Valeria Rumori (Photo: Stefania Rosini)

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