L'Italo-Americano

M A I E i s a m o v e m e n t born abroad, for Italians a b r o a d . I t wants to ensure that every member of the Italian nation is fully and rightly represent- ed in Rome so that the voice, needs, ideas, and expecta- tions of Italians around the world become active part of w h a t m a k e s t h e c o u n t r y move forward. Two weeks before the gen- eral elections, scheduled for Sunday, the 25th of Septem- ber 2022, L'Italo-Ameri- cano speaks with MAIE can- d i d a t e V i n c e n z o O d o g u a r d i , a n d l e a r n s a b o u t t h e g o a l s , p r o g r a m , and plans of the movement he represents. M r . O d o g u a r d i , y o u believe in the essentiality of ad hoc representation in the Italian Parliament for all Italians abroad: w h a t d i f f e r e n c e w o u l d this make in our lives? I do believe in the essential- ity of ad hoc representation for the Italian community liv- ing abroad, and not only in the Italian parliament. We need an entity that represents us in the Italian government, too. This entity can be only the Ministry of Italians Abroad: only with our own ministry we can start solving old issues and we can better support new Italian entrepreneurs abroad, i n a l l c o u n t r i e s . H a v i n g a deputy – a congressman – or a senator fighting and pre- s e n t i n g b i l l s f o r I t a l i a n s abroad in Rome can make a substantial difference. MAIE can do that because it is a movement born outside of I t a l y , w h i c h h a s o n l y o n e agenda, one program specifi- c a l l y c r e a t e d f o r I t a l i a n s around the world. You represent MAIE for North and Central Ameri- c a : w h a t a r e t h e m a i n g o a l s y o u r m o v e m e n t wants to achieve in these parts of the world? One of the main goals of MAIE in North and Central America – and not only here, but all over the world – is to define all issues affecting the Italian community around the globe. Citizenship acqui- sition, for instance, or ease of a c c e s s t o c o n s u l a r a n d embassy services. We want to create a network of services that includes, but it's not lim- ited to, Medicare, pensions, and the negative impact that being an AIRE-registered Italian living abroad may have: this is the first part of our agenda. The second part focuses on giving impetus to our traditions, our culture, and new Italian entrepre- neurs internationally because we want to support Italian projects all over the world. We want to be international a m b a s s a d o r s o f w h a t o u r country embodies. Personal- ly, I do believe that being ambassadors of Italian cul- ture around the world repre- sents the future of Italy's younger generations. You are yourself Ital- i a n - A m e r i c a n : w h a t ' s been the role of Italian h e r i t a g e i n y o u r o w n life? Yes, I am an Italian-Amer- ican living in North America. The role of Italian heritage in my life has been quite exten- sive. I come from Italy, I am a f i r s t - g e n e r a t i o n I t a l i a n - American and I still have inside me, intact, my own Italian heritage. Our role today is to pass this heritage on to our children, as they are the future of the land where we decided to live. They need to understand what Italy is: not just a simple word, nor just a country; they need to understand what the implica- tions of being Italian are, to become familiar with our tra- ditions, our culture, our lan- guage. And all this is com- pletely up to us. We must ensure our children don't for- get where they come from, that they never let it all fall into the background of their lives. O n e o f M A I E ' s k e y points is ensuring Italian culture, heritage, and the Made in Italy are protect- e d : h o w w o u l d y o u achieve this? As I said, ensuring that Italian culture, heritage, tra- ditions, language, and every- thing "Made in Italy" is pro- tected remains one of our main objectives. As Italians, it's up to us, it's our responsi- b i l i t y t o p r e s e r v e t h e s e things. As I always say, we truly are the first ambas- sadors of Italian culture and Made in Italy, and this has to be one of the main goals and objectives not only for MAIE but for all movements, asso- ciations, or political parties that wish to represent Ital- ians abroad. M A I E a l s o s u p p o r t s the turismo delle radici: do you think that a wide- scale implementation of this project could ulti- m a t e l y l e a d t o a m o r e robust sense of nation among all Italians, those i n I t a l y , a n d t h o s e abroad? Turismo delle radici, or " r e t u r n t o u r i s m , " t h e "tourism of our roots," is a very well-thought program that attracted the interest of many Italians abroad. MAIE has been actively endorsing it and trying to make it a reali- ty: the first MAIE-organized group of third- and fourth- generation Italians from the US and Canada is traveling to Italy in the Spring of 2023. T h a n k s t o t h e w o r k a n d f r i e n d l i n e s s o f 2 2 I t a l i a n towns and villages, these peo- ple will be able to see where their ancestors came from, where they used to live and what they used to do. They w i l l r e c e i v e t h e i r f o r e f a - t h e r s ' c e r t i f i c a t o d i nascita, their birth certifi- cate, which is the very first step towards possibly achiev- ing citizenship. But there is more: they will be all hosted for free. In return, the very same Italians visiting their great-grandparents' villages and towns will boost the local m i c r o - e c o n o m y b e c a u s e , while there, they'll eat, drink, buy and spend money in the area. So turismo delle radi- ci will benefit both visitors and locals. As I mentioned, the first stage of the program is taking place in the Spring of 2023: we want to collect and analyze data about this first, MAIE-supported expe- rience and assess all its out- comes. I will be happy to report on it next year to you all. Notice of Non-Affiliation and Disclaimer L'Italo-Americano is not a f f i l i a t e d , a s s o c i a t e d , endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with the Vincenzo Odoguardi for Sen- ator MAIE Morth and Cen- tral America campaign. Vincenzo Odoguardi, MAIE's candidate to the Senate for North and Central America, speaks to L'Italo-Americano STAFF Odoguardi in Rome (Photo courtesy of MAIE/Vincenzo Odoguardi) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2022 www.italoamericano.org 32 L'Italo-Americano LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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