An emotional meeting, entirely focused on the theme of inclusion and support for people with disabilities, in the context of World Day of People with Down Syndrome (21 March). In continuation of its strong focus on the topic, the Embassy supported the participation of the young protagonist and the director of 'Upside Down' (2021), Gabriele di Bello and Luca Tornatore, in a screening of the film hosted by the Moscow Language University MGLU.
The film had been awarded last year at Moscow's international "Cinema Without Barriers" festival as the best film for young people and was highly appreciated by the audience, made up of male and female students, teachers, young people with disabilities and representatives of the civil society associations organising the festival, the UN Information Centre and the young people from the Dante Alighieri Committee of the city of Togliatti, who had come to Moscow especially to confirm a cross-party interest in the Italian approach to inclusion issues.
The discussion with the young people delved into the various stages in the making of Luca Tornatore's film, which was shot with the support of three Italian regions (Lazio, Puglia, Valle d'Aosta) and Rai Cinema and focuses on the story of Paolo, a young man with Down syndrome who dreams of becoming a boxer (Gabriele di Bello) and the no less motivating personal and professional experience of the actor, a young man whose determination and extraordinary communication skills won over the audience of young people and associations working in the field, with a strong message of hope and breaking down stereotypes.
In the words of President of the Republic Mattarella, recalled by Ambassador Cecilia Piccioni, the inclusion of people with disabilities is a test case for the full affirmation of human rights and democratic heritage. Italy's innovative approach to the issue, which attracted the interest of many participants, with requests for further in-depth studies and events dedicated to the theme, was enriched by the first exhibition in Russia of the comic strip exhibition "The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities through the Eyes of Young People", with the support of the Ministry for Disabilities and the Umbrian School of Public Administration, whose brilliant communicative choice, the immediacy of the message and its captivating character was appreciated, thanks also to the connection with the four colours chosen to illustrate the four key words equality, autonomy, participation, inclusion.
A commitment of the Embassy and the General Consulates in Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as the Honorary Consular Network, which will continue to raise the awareness of Russian civil society, starting from the youngest and most vulnerable social groups, on the distinctive traits and experiences most representative of Italy's heritage of values today.
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