Catalog Title www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it Volume Two | Issue Three July-September 2007 edited and designed by Silvia Limoncini, Simona Massobrio, Federica Casale and Sonia Vacchini US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, arrives at the Embassy of Italy. She is greeted by Ambassador and Mrs. Castellaneta and escorted into the building Social and Cultural Events ….……………… page 02 Political Highlights…………………………… page 09 Business and Finance Highlights …….……... page 11 1 Bocconi University in Washington, Conference at the Embassy of Italy July, 12 2007 The Ambassador of Italy to the United States, Giovanni Castellaneta, welcomed to the Embassy a group of graduates from Bocconi University of Milan and from New York University (thirty students from the Milanese University and ten from the New York University), who traveled to Washington as part of Campus Abroad pro- gram. Students were accompanied by Prof. Carlo Secchi, Carlo Altomonte and Dario Barberi from Bocconi and by Prof. Dannis Smith from NYU. The conference, which opened with a greeting from Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta, was organized in coop- eration with “Alub-Washington”, the local group of Bocconi graduates and was coordinated by Dr. Andrea Can- epari, First Secretary at the Embassy who also moderated the debate. First Counselor Beltrame, First Counselor Ferrari and Dr. Spadafora held presentations and described, from several points of views, macroeconomic and political issues, analyzing them from the perspective of bilateral re- lations between Italy and United States. In the Photo from the Left: Prof. Dannis Smith, H.E. Ambassador Castellaneta, Prof. Carlo Secchi, First Secretary Andrea Can- epari, First Counselor Stefano Beltrame, Colonel Carlo Villanacci, Prof. Carlo Alto- monte, and Prof. Dario Barberi Ambassador Castellaneta Addressing the Guests First Counselor Luca Ferrari, Embassy Spokesman, and First Secretary Andrea Canepari 2 Social and Cultural Events Wounded Veterans Dinner July, 13 2007 Photos by Joe Gromelski. Used with Permission from Stars and Stripes. 2007 Stars and Stripes A View of the Guests and the Amazing Italian Buffet Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta With One of the US Army Veterans Once again this year, the Ambassador of Italy and Mrs. Giovanni Castellaneta offered a reception for some of the American veterans who were injured during their tour in Iraq and who are now being treated at various military hospitals in the Washington area. On the evening of Friday, July 13th around thirty American soldiers were welcomed at the Embassy of Italy in Washington, together with their wives and relatives. The dinner of typical Italian dishes and personally prepared by the Ambassador’s Chef, Roberto Grazioli, was accompanied by the singing of Antonio Giuliano. Sgt. 1st Class of the U.S. Army Chorus, "Pershing's Own," who entertained the guests with several famous songs from the Italian opera tradition, transporting them to Italy and helping them forget their daily troubles. The reception was meant as a sign of gratitude and recognition for the soldiers, on the part of our Country. The atmosphere was both touching and light-hearted. In addition to Ambassador Castellaneta, General Zuliani, a few Italian Diplomatic Officials and Paul Wolfowitz, former Deputy Secretary of Defense of President Bush’s administration, took part in the event. 3 Antonio Giuliano. Sgt. 1st Class of the U.S. Army Chorus, Singing Among the Guests Paul Wolfowitz, Former Deputy Secretary of Defense, While Talking with a US Army Veteran Photos by Joe Gromelski. Used with Permission from Stars and Stripes. 2007 Stars and Stripes Ambassador’s Chef, Roberto Grazioli Serving Desserts to the Guests Photos by Joe Gromelski. Used with Permission from Stars and Stripes. 2007 Stars and Stripes 4 Global Youth Leadership Council Conference August 8, 2007 On August 8th the Embassy of Italy in Washington hosted a reception for the Global Youth Leadership Council. The organization’s mission is to foster and inspire young people to achieve their full leadership potential. Through con- ferences and seminars students from around the world have the opportunity to explore global leadership issues with world economic and political leaders in Washington, DC and in New York. Minister Sebastiano Cardi, the Em- bassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission, wel- comed the group and gave a short speech on some aspects of Italy- U.S. diplomatic relations. Ms. Barbara Harris, Co-founder of the Global Youth Leadership Council, at- tended the event as well, and, after thanking the Embassy for the wonder- ful reception, invited students to col- lect as much information as possible from the experience in order to be ready to face all the challenges they will encounter successfully. The evening concluded with a buffet reception and was accompanied by the showing of videos on Italy in the audi- torium. 5 Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta and Mrs. Castellaneta Visit San Diego August 23, 2007 On August 23, 2007 Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta visited San Diego, where he met with the Italian-American community. The gathering featured representatives of both the old and the new Italian immigration to San Diego, whose successes make it a very signifi- cant segment of this important corner of the Golden State. The participation of Italian associations was substantial with the presence of the House of Italy, the Italian Community Center, the Italian- American Civic Association, the Order Sons of Italy, Trinacria and Convivio, the Italian Historical Soci- ety of San Diego, which donated a preview copy Ambassador Castellaneta with Italian Consul General Nicola Faganello , Honorary Vice Consul Designate, of the book "San Diego's Little Italy", to Ambas- Roberto Ruocco, e Presidents of Italian Clubs: from the sador Castellaneta. The book shows a pictorial left Cecchino Masullo (OSIA), James Hill Cardinale history of Italian immigration to this Californian (Italian American Civic Association), e Bernadette Tar- city. antino (Trinacria) For the occasion, the Consul General of Italy to Los Angeles, Nicola Faganello, recently ar- rived from Italy, made his first appearance in his new district. The host of the event, the Honorary Vice Consul Designate, Roberto Ruocco, was grateful to Ambassador Castel- laneta for taking the time to pay a visit to San Diego’s Italian community, as well as for the consideration they showed the community in the previous days, in particular with their visit to the House of Italy in Balboa Park, one of the oldest Italian associations in California. Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta with Father Luigi Solcia in front of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta with representatives of the Italian-American Community and the Honorary Vice Consul Designate, Roberto Ruocco 6 Cornerstone Schools 10th Anniversary Gala September 17, 2007 On September 17th, 2007, the U.S. Secretary of State, T.H. Condoleezza Rice, was the keynote speaker at the Cornerstone Schools’ th 10 anniversary celebration His remarks were fol- which was marked with an lowed by the former Major- event at the Embassy of It- ity Leader of the House aly. Representatives, T.H. Dick Armey, for the invocation, Paul Gigot, the Editorial Page and the performance of a Editor of the Wall Street few songs by the Corner- Journal, performed the du- stone Schools’ Children ties of Master of Ceremo- Choir. The Ambassador of nies and opened the evening Italy, H.E. Giovanni Castel- celebration. laneta, welcomed the guests and introduced the U.S. Sec- retary of State. After Secretary Rice’s speech, the rest of the eve- US Secretary of ning included dinner, presen- State, Condoleezza tations by Cornerstone Rice, Greets the School board members, and Children brief remarks by T.H. An- thony Williams, former DC Mayor. 7 Among the guests, the Security and Exchange Com- missioner, Paul Atkins, Repre- sentative Dave Camp, Repre- sentative Tom Davis, Repre- sentative Pete Hoekstra, Representative Jack King- ston, Representative Paul Ryan, Representative Marc Souder, and Representative Frank Wolf. The Children Choir Cornerstone operates two private, academically rig- orous, Christian elementary schools in Washington, D.C. for children from predomi- nantly low-income fami- lies. They educated close to 140 students and both of their campuses are built on the core principles of spiri- tual growth, academic excel- lence, discipline, personal re- sponsibility and community involvement. Mrs. Lila Castellaneta with the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice A view of the party 8 Political Highlights The Mayor of Milan, T.H. Letizia Moratti, Visits Washington, DC July, 16-17, 2007 The Mayor of Milan, First Lady Laura Bush and T.H. Letizia Moratti Mrs. Lila Castellaneta The Mayor of Milan, Letizia Moratti, traveled to Washington from July, 16 to July, 17 2007. On the occasion of her short visit to the Unites States’ capital, she had very significant meetings, among them the most important was the breakfast meeting at the White House with the First Lady, Laura Bush. Their talk was focused on issues of social solidarity, assistance policies for literacy in less developed countries, and cooperation among universi- ties for research in the field of development. Patricia de Stacy Harrison, Chairwoman and CEO of Corporation for Public Broadcasting and former Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs, also attended the lunch with the Mayor and the First Lady. Mayor Moratti also took part in a Luncheon held at the United States Congress and organized in her honor by the Italian-American Congressional Caucus. To conclude her visit, Mrs. Moratti had a long and friendly meeting with Hersey Kyota, Ambassador of Palau to the United States, and member of the BIE. Ambassador Kyota will represent his country on the occasion of the vote for EXPO 2015 and the Mayor briefed him regarding Milan’s candidacy. 9 Senator Giorgio Benvenuto’s Visit to Washington September 15-19, 2007 From September 15th to September 19th, the President of the Finance Committee of the Italian Senate, Sen. Giorgio Ben- venuto visited Washington for meetings with several important political and eco- nomic personalities.