ALBANO LAZIALE (RM) -- 150 students from the professional School “Formalba” between 14 - 16 years old attended the conference at the Council Room of the Municipality of Albano Laziale organized to promote prevention of violence against women. Speakers included Bon't Worry charity President Bo Guerreschi, Vigor Music International President Donatella Cotesta, psycologist Stefano Coletta, and Assessorship* for the Youth Politics Alessandra Zeppieri. 

 Accompanied by their teachers, the students participated in the Municipality’s room to shout their “NO” to violence against women in the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov. 25. 

 Ms Zeppieri invited the students to speak up and denounce, “we can free ourselves from the chains of violence in its every form.” The reflections of psychologist, Dr. Coletta, on the emotional world emphasizes the importance of being equal to people around us, “from subject to subject, not subject to object.” In silence, paying attention to every word, holding hands and dropping some tears, the teenagers were captured by the speaker’s words, of which the objective was letting students know that they are not alone and are supported. 

 Tears were dropped once again at the performance of theatre actress and director Donatella Cotesta who represented the solitude that often grabs these young people and the rediscovery that through art this solitude can be fought becoming leaders of their lives. 

 Next, performing at the event, Eleonora D’Apolito’s soulful voice, full of energy, opened the stage for the President, Bo Guerreschi, of the Bon't Worry International charity that supports women and children victims of violence to overcome the pain of abuse. 

 Dr. Guerreschi states, “Let go of the Internet or your phones! The virtual world in which you live in does not bring solutions to your problems. You need to communicate among each other because you might never know that your best friend could be affected by a problem she is afraid to share, scared of being discriminated or shamed.” Dr. Guerreschi concludes her speech, “...speak up and do not be afraid: you are not alone!”  

 The youth participation at this event ‘‘#ChiAmaNonFerisce’ translated, ‘who loves does not injure,’ organized by the Professional Formation School Formalba set in Albano Laziale (RM) and their director Simona Brugnoli. The school has for many years supported and helped young people, families in need, women, and the disabled, through formational, educational, and creative activities. The initiative is sponsored by the Assessorship* for the Youth Politics of the Municipality of Albano Laziale (RM) and carried out in collaboration with Associazione San Francesco “Together for Peace.” 

 A moment of dialogue and exchange for the young students towards a non violent culture. Today, more than ever, children and teenagers are continuously exposed to violence, from the crime on the news or aggressive episodes on TV found in their everyday lives. All the “models of deviant behavior” foresee a victim and an executioner: roles which once taken are hard to get out from. Starting here, the fundamental importance of educating the younger community to respect others is paramount, as is eliminating violence as a model in a relationship, remembering it is not proof of love. 

 For the third year the students have fought violence against women through didactic work with their teachers, focussing on many important themes. Many unexpected personal stories of abuse have arisen  and written thoughts were formulated next to photographs displayed in the Council Room. These  photographs were created by the group ‘The Light and Us,’ gathered under the title ‘Il Bello della Donna” (‘the beautiful thing about women’) trying to project this important topic through a dimension of hope. 

*or Regional Ministry 

(Translated from original piece by Francesca Nanni)