On 12 June 2024, on the occasion of the G7, a significant event entitled “MESSAGE OF PEACE WITH THE G7 OR TO THE G7: From Competitiveness to Cooperation” was held in Lecce, promoted by the International Association of Lions Clubs, District 108AB Puglia, represented by Dr. Marcello Viola, Past Governor and President of the Organizing Committee for the Right to Peace.
The event took place in “Piazza della Pace”, home to the majestic “Monument for Peace”, donated to Pope John Paul II by the Lions District 108 AB Puglia together with other Lions Districts, both national and international. The monument, an imposing steel structure 7 meters high and weighing 20 tons, was created by the Taranto entrepreneur Cosimo Chiffi on the initiative of the Puglia Lions. It represents the world in longitudinal section, on which 20 swallows are depicted holding olive branches with the word peace engraved in 20 different languages, a symbol of the commitment to building peace in the world.
The event brought together the leaders of the international religious, social, professional, business and scientific communities to launch a message of peace, in line with that promoted by the G7. The authorities present made a symbolic gesture of peace through the passage of the “Gate of Peace” at the base of the monument, a sign of openness to dialogue and integration.
Subsequently, at the Officine Cantelmo, the authorities presented the activities of the associations represented and illustrated their future commitments. The “Message of Peace” was also read, which underlines the importance of cooperation to address the global crisis and proposes the establishment of the International Award “Right to Peace: from Competitiveness to Cooperation” and an “International Day of Cooperation” .
The “COOPERATION FOR PEACE” award was awarded in its first 2024 edition to the “Sustain Association for Cooperation between Schools”, represented by the President Eng. Giustino Melchionne. The prize, a fine Murano glass plate with a golden foil in the centre, was presented by the lawyer. Leonardo Potenza, Governor of Lions District 108AB.
The Association “SUSTAIN FOR COOPERATION BETWEEN SCHOOLS”, a third sector body, was established on 4 August 2020 and has 38 members including teachers, researchers and professionals. The project involves Italian and Burkinabe students in the creation of components of a village, such as photovoltaic systems and irrigation systems, promoting disease prevention and improving the school microclimate.
The Taranto schools involved in the project include the IISS A. Righi, the IISS Maria Pia, the Liceo Linguistico Aristosseno and the IISS G. Ferraris. A project on agriculture is underway with the Mondelli Agricultural Institute of Massafra. This day celebrates the commitment of students and tutors in concrete peace actions, in collaboration with Burkinabe associations.
The event represents a step towards the transition from competitiveness to cooperation, with the hope that more and more schools will participate in this path. The recognition obtained by the SUSTAIN Association marks only the beginning of many others that will follow, contributing to rethinking the school as a subject of international cooperation.
