Italian
Interview with Guido Vacca, President of AIM (Association for Italy in the World)
• President, what is the Association for Italy in the World and what are its objectives?
The AIM (Association for Italy in the World) aims to cultivate, enhance, and strengthen the ties between Italy, Italian citizens, and the various Italian communities scattered around the world for the preservation and enhancement of the Italian language, tradition, and culture worldwide. This is a commitment that we pursue with great determination, and the outstanding result of being organized, in just 5 years, in about 80 nations and having members in every corner of the world is evidence of this. To achieve these goals, our representatives work closely with Italian institutions. Many national and international events are organized with the sponsorship of AIM. These include festivals, national and international cultural projects, book presentations, art and photography exhibitions, music concerts, as well as the promotion and defense of the Italian language. In the past, too many people left their homes, their country, their loved ones, their friends, their land – for which their ancestors had always fought and worked hard – to seek work and fortune in every corner of the world. However, Italian emigrants continue to have ties and contacts with their land, their origins, and keep our country always in their hearts. This is why AIM is important, as it represents that deeply felt connection with the beloved motherland.
• Italian culture and the Italian language in the world are well represented by chairs and literati in foreign universities, cultural institutes, and itinerant youth projects. What is their future?
We must always keep in mind and never forget that outside national borders there is another Italy and a half. In addition to the five million or more Italians registered with the AIRE (Register of Italians Residing Abroad), there are the descendants, that is, those who, although of Italian origins, have never applied for Italian citizenship or have given up in the face of biblical times to obtain it. Well, if we add up the AIRE registrants and the descendants, we reach an enormous figure that exceeds ninety million people. This is an aspect that our political class should carefully consider because they are a great, enormous economic and cultural resource. Each of them is the true ambassador of our culture, our traditions, our Made in Italy, our language. Today, especially thanks to them, there is a strong desire for Italy in the world. This is why our country is increasingly talked about and appreciated by foreigners who are fascinated by the happy combination of culture, art, natural beauty, and food that make us the desired destination for any tourist. To the commitment to spread Italian culture and language in the world, with great regret and a sea of sadness, I see that it is precisely in Italy that we must defend our language and our culture from the proliferation of Anglicisms. This is a challenge for the near future. Today, one can no longer read a newspaper or a communication from a public or private entity without knowing the English language. This is the great demand of Italians around the world, which is not at all pleasing abroad, and they clearly say that this is no longer their language. They have all our understanding and all the reasons in the world. It is absolutely necessary for the Government and all political forces to put a brake and a barrier on the spread of English words. We passively witness an uncontrolled increase in the use of English words with a 773% increase per year and about 4000 English words entering our language. This is a very serious alarm. We must be careful not to reach the disappearance of Italian. Something that has not happened in France where a careful policy has been able to defend the French language from Anglicisms. Our challenge in the coming years will be to defend our language. The Italian political class should pay attention to this aspect of our culture and our language, which is the identity reality of our nation. It is important to know English, but not to the point of erasing our words. We have a great culture and we must defend it.
• What do you think about our talents that need to cross borders to emerge?
In 2007 an unstoppable crisis began that caused a new increase in the migratory phenomenon. A phenomenon that this time not only affects the southern regions but the entire Italian nation. Starting, for the most part, are young graduates and not only generic labor as it used to happen in the past… This new emigration, called “brain drain,” is directed towards Northern Europe with England and Germany in the first place but also towards the United States, Australia, and Canada. It is with immense sorrow that I say that this is an emigration that takes away from our country its best forces and this is undoubtedly a great loss. Every educated emigrant is an investment that leaves. We are losing valuable people who could have contributed to growing our country and pulling Italy out of a deep economic, demographic, and cultural crisis. Currently, I perceive that something can change, I hope so much for the good of our Italy. I also think of many descendants’ children who would like to feel Italian by acquiring citizenship, but here too there is much to be done to speed up this process.
Who is Guido Vacca
Today Guido Vacca, National Coordinator of Uil Fpl Chambers of Commerce and President of AIM (Association for Italy in the World), was a journalist and editor-in-chief of the magazine “Voce Camerale” until 31.12.2013.
He also collaborated with daily and weekly newspapers. Among his merits, he received the honor of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and Officer of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
He is the winner of the prestigious International Cultural Award “Carthage 2018” and the international award “Book For Peace”. He is also the recipient of the Certificate “International Acadèmie Diplomatique Pax et Salus. International Special Award 2021”.
With a degree in Political Science and International Relations h.c. from the International Academic Center, International Institute of Social Sciences, Guido Vacca has been General Coordinator of the Chamber of Commerce, Local Authorities and Municipal Police Department, and also General Secretary of SNALCC (National Autonomous Union of Chambers of Commerce). He has served as a Municipal Councilor and Councilor of a Mountain Community.
