Opening remarks by Italy’s PR Ambassador Maurizio Massari at the inauguration of the “Go Goals Together” art exhibit co-organized by Italy and the ITCILO.
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Media Representatives and Friends,
It is a pleasure to welcome you all to the UN Headquarters, where I am honored to inaugurate the inspiring art exhibition “GoGoals Together”, along with ITC-ILO Director Giuseppe Casale (welcome to New York!) and the artist who crafted it, Sabrina Rocca. Congratulations Sabrina!
I am also honored to welcome the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Head of the UNEP New York Office, Ms. Ligia Noronha. Thank you so much for joining us.
Today we rely on art as a universal language to convey an important message. A message that we hope can reach everyone, and can be understood by everyone. It’s a very simple message: we must deliver on 2030 Agenda. That’s the urgent appeal coming from the children and the other main figures of these artworks.
Three reasons explain my sense of pride for today’s exhibit.
Firstly, it’s a chance to spotlight the city of Turin as the host of an important UN hub comprising the ITC-ILO, the UN System Staff College and the UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI).
Notably, Italy is a longstanding partner of ILO. Since we are in the 16 Days of Activism, I would like to stress that Italy was among the first Member States to ratify ILO Convention 190 on violence and harassment. Let me seize this opportunity to call, once again, on our fellow Member States to ratify this crucial instrument of international law.
In this spirit, let me also salute the Member countries of the Group of Friends on Decent Work I see here with us tonight. I am honored to announce that Italy will be joining the Group, as part of our commitment to fighting for decent work for everyone.
Secondly, I am proud of this exhibit because its core theme, the SDGs, is at the heart of Italy’s national and multilateral action, as well as of my current mandate as Vice President of ECOSOC. So, the exhibit brings these efforts full circle as part of our contribution in the run-up to the SDGs’ Summit in 2023.
Finally, I feel proud because these paintings portray the SDGs through the innocent gaze of children. Children are the stakeholders of tomorrow; as such, they need and deserve to be heard.
Safeguarding children’s rights has always been front and center in Italy’s policies, more recently even more with a focus on children in armed conflict.
Let me conclude by dedicating this exhibition to all the children and youth of the world. Tonight, you have the floor.
Thank you again for joining us and enjoy your visit.
