L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2022 www.italoamericano.org 32 L'Italo-Americano across American media. As pointed out by Robert V. Alle- grini, President of the Nation- al Italian American Founda- tion, "We are honored to host the presentation of the first r e p o r t d u r i n g o u r a n n u a l event. This is a very interest- ing study on a relevant theme aimed to improve the rela- tions between the USA and I t a l y w h i l e a l s o p r o v i d i n g s t r u c t u r e d i n f o r m a t i o n t o companies looking at invest- ing in America, which is also part of our mission." F o r t h o s e i n t e r e s t e d i n global matters, the Victoria J. Mastrobuono Education Lun- cheon featured General Jack Keane offering an overview of the security challenges and the importance of America's cooperation with allies and partners, including Italy. On the same note, the European House Ambrosetti had a panel on Italy's role in guaranteeing t r a n s a t l a n t i c s e c u r i t y a n d Western values. As mentioned by Valerio De Molli, Ceo of the organization, "The strate- gic relationship between Italy and the United States has pro- found roots that reach back into history. Today the US is Italy's number three trade partner and the biggest out- side Europe." He continued by saying that "our country, with its expertise and tech- nologies, could be one of the US' key partners in sustain- ability, green transitions, and the 4.0 transition of Italian manufacturing companies." Lastly, among the new ini- tiatives that took off during t h e w e e k e n d , t h e L U I S S America Foundation launch brings the Italian university, based in Rome, at the heart of a new collaboration for NIAF. T h i s f o u n d a t i o n w a n t s t o encourage exchanges between Italy and the United States through commerce, interna- tional relations, and law. Two scholarships, to be adminis- tered by NIAF - one for an Italian American undergradu- ate student and one for an Italian American graduate student to attend LUISS Uni- v e r s i t y - w e r e a l s o announced by the two par- ties. The foundation will play the role of an operational hub for both fundraising and new stakeholders and will get ideas and resources from the Alumni community, a net- work of more than 54,000 professionals across five con- tinents. LUISS Vice Presi- dent, Paola Severino, who traveled to the States togeth- er with some other represen- tatives, stated: "LUISS is proud to contribute to a new page in the history of Rome- Washington relations, an emblematic step in times of high uncertainty. Connecting the higher education system and the industrial system of our countries with this ideal bridge means building a solid basis for the creation of fun- d a m e n t a l n e w s k i l l s a n d opportunities for generating economic growth and a com- mon vision of the world." Professor Raffaele Marchetti, Deputy Director for Interna- tionalization at LUISS, was excited about the new Ameri- can footprint: "LUISS has taken a further impor- tant step in its global devel- opment, strengthening its engagement in the US at a crucial historical moment, in which transatlantic relations are very solid politically, eco- n o m i c a l l y , i n t h e f i e l d o f defense, and security." Rec- tor Andrea Prencipe pointed out, during his presentation, how "These new LUISS ini- tiatives in the US consolidate and accelerate our interna- t i o n a l i z a t i o n p a t h , w h i c h counts more than 315 partner universities in 64 countries." He then concluded by saying that "the global approach of our Athenaeum continues, therefore, along two lines: preparing students with an international mindset and interdisciplinary knowledge t o f a c e t h e c o m p l e x i t y o f f u t u r e c h a l l e n g e s , a n d strengthening our relations with companies and institu- tions overseas, also through the network of LUISS Alum- ni, true ambassadors of our University." The long day of learning and meetings ended with a Gala dinner that celebrated six distinguished Italian and Italian American honorees for their exceptional achieve- ments and leadership roles in their respective fields. The honorees included the 70th US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo, in recognition of his service to our country; Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., Con- g r e s s m a n s e r v i n g t h e 9 t h Congressional District of New J e r s e y a n d C o - C h a i r a n d Dean of the Italian American Congressional Delegation; Giada De Laurentiis, chef and Emmy award-winning televi- sion personality, known for the Everyday Italian show on t h e F o o d N e t w o r k ; J a s o n Castriota, automotive design- er, strategist and innovator; Ornella Barra, Chief Operat- ing Officer for the Interna- tional division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Paolo Scaroni, Deputy Chairman at Rothschild & Co, Chairman of Giuliani S.p.A and Chair- man of AC Milan, the Italian football team and winner of the 2022 Serie A. Maria Bartiromo, NIAF Board Member, anchor and Global Markets Editor for FOX Business Network and FOX News Channel, and Joe Piscopo, one of America's most popular comedians and a former Saturday Night Live star, hosted the Gala dinner, whose menu was curated by chef Giada de Laurentiis and was inspired by Tuscan cui- sine. Italian Ambassador to the US Mariangela Zappia spoke during the NIAF Gala (Photo: Patrick G. Ryan) NIAF is the largest representative of the more than 20 million Italian American citizens living in the United States. The Foundation's activities aim at encouraging Italian Americans to continue keeping their heritage and traditions alive try to ensure the great contribution Italians made to the history and progress of the United States isn't forgotten. Trumpeteers welcomed attendees to the dinner (Photo: Patrick G. Ryan) Continued from page 30 LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE

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