MESSINA – The theme of demographic decline and young people on the run is increasingly topical and has also been compared several times to what for the “yes” front is the hope of relaunching Messina, the bridge. And so it also happened in the commission dedicated to the work, chaired by councilor Pippo Trischitta, who invited representatives of school and university students in Monday afternoon’s session. Present were Aurelio Brigheli and Gabriele Portaro for the Academic Senate, Gabriele Portaro, Academic Senate, Dario Nostro, from the Ersu board of directors, and Emilia Pace and Ivan Pandolfino from the provincial student council.
Emilia Pace: “Tired of seeing everyone leave”
And from the only woman, the first to speak, we had a strong testimony of how young people today experience the daily “goodbye” to say to friends, brothers, sisters and relatives. Emilia Pace, former president of the provincial student council and current tutor, in part of her speech against the work, declared: “I’m 18 years old, I’m tired of having to see my peers change city due to the few opportunities work or for the few opportunities that the area generally offers us. For years politics abandoned us, we were left alone with our problems. Interest only grows when we talk about doing the impossible, about experimenting in an area that needs so much more, everything that has been missing so far.”
And he added: “I ask for a serious investment in my future, in the fields of education, culture and healthcare. I am tired of hearing continuous electoral promises from those who do not evaluate the true needs and priorities, putting their personal gain first.” Then the rehabilitation of many areas of Sicily and Calabria, and the creation of new opportunities: “Let’s face it clearly, with the many billions invested so far, by now we would have new roads and motorways. I think it is utopian to think that we can become the economic center of Europe simply by building a bridge when there are so many problems that should be given priority.”
The students, against and in favor, gave their contribution during the session, discussing with the councilors and the presidency. Today, May 21, the commission will meet again with the “cost-benefit ratio” of the bridge on the agenda.
