Buenos Aires, Argentina – UPF-Argentina and the Rotary Club of Buenos Aires honored the Italian community in an event at San Martín Hall in the Buenos Aires Legislature on May 13, 2024. Italian Consul-General Carmelo Barbera attended as the guest of honor. Italians are one of the largest immigrant communities in the country, many of whom arrived in the second half of the 19th century.
Buenos Aires City Legislator Claudio Romero gave the welcoming remarks. These were followed by brief speeches from the event’s organizers: Mr. Horacio Daboul, president of the Cultural and Social Arab League Association and founder of the Rotary Club in Parque de los Patricios, and Mr. Miguel Werner, president of UPF-Argentina.
Mr. Eduardo Dalmedo also addressed the meeting. He is a former district governor from Rotary International, and author of “La Guerra En La Guerra,” a memoir of his experiences as a soldier during the Malvinas Islands war. He described how that experience strengthened his appreciation of the need for peace among peoples.
Dr. Darío Signorini, president of the Federation of Italian Entities of Buenos Aires (FEDIBA), was then recognized for his extensive service to civil society organizations; for leading, taking part in, and collaborating with various cultural, educational, and social associations related to the Italian community. In his speech to the gathering, Dr. Signorini highlighted “family, faith, work, and passion” as intrinsic to the DNA of Argentinian Italians.
The event concluded with performances of Italian “Radici” ballet and Zamba Romance dance, and a congratulatory message from former Rotary International District Governor Miguel Martínez Pereyra.
This was the second in a series of events on the theme “Communities Honor our Homeland.” The first event, on May 19, 2023, honored the Spanish community. On that occasion, the Rotary Club of Buenos Aires and UPF-Argentina signed a Friendship and Cooperation Agreement.
These events have brought Rotary Club members and UPF peace ambassadors together in a fraternal spirit, to strengthen their bonds of friendship and their shared commitment to service for the benefit of their communities.
By Miguel Werner, President, UPF-Argentina May 13, 2024
