DAY 2

Key note address: Dr Francesco Ricatti - Cassamarca Lecturer in Italian Studies, University of the Sunshine Coast

Please follow link to read Day 2.

Workshop 3
Participation and information
Facilitators: Prof Franco Papandrea, Director of Communication and Media Policy Institute, University of Canberra and Australian CGIE Consigliere; and Sonia Rossetti-Cleary, Secretary of Avanti Marche and Liaison Officer for the Illawarra Association Teachers of Italian

The aim of the participation and information workshop was to discuss youth involvement and demonstrate that young people are not disinterested in the future of the Italian Australian culture.

The demographics of Italian Australians show that the average age is now over 65. There are less than 10% born in Italy and living in Australia who are under 40 years of age.

The World Italian Youth Conference to be held in Rome, December 2008, will call young people to express their opinion on what it will mean to be Italian in the world of 2020. Older generations claim that youth do not want to become involved in ‘traditional’ Italian activities, but the substantial number of youth delegates at the first National Italian Australian Youth Conference has shown that there is interest in participating. Having a double identity makes young people rich in culture but with the responsibility of taking charge of this legacy.

More than 600 associations and Italian Australian clubs in Australia have the choice to change to integrated youth initiatives and youth involvement in their board or consider the reality that they will fade away.

The youth response which came from the workshops was supportive, acknowledging the importance and value in retaining Italian language and culture, but realistic in the knowledge that in the future, we will incur a loss of Italian language and traditional dialect. During the last few years mixed marriages have increased and the gap between young generations and older generation has increased. There is not much faith in the future of Italian Australian clubs and regional associations since society is changing in both Italy and Australia, and young people would like new ways to communicate, to get together and get involved.

Despite the large number of institutional bodies, the group felt the need of more structure and a National youth body to guide the local youth associations and link them to the enormous and intricate social and political network available.

The last point was a call for new Italians who come to Australia to live permanently or for short periods to become involved with the local Italian Australian community, since there is a need for Italian Australian youth to keep in touch with the reality of changes in Italy.

Workshop 4
Economic and professional exchange
Facilitators: Maria Maruca, Secretary General of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Queensland, Coordinator of Giovani Italiani Network Queensland (GINQ), and Member of Com.It.Es QLD & NT; and Rosanne Vignogna, Treasurer of GIA, it.sa Inc. and the Dante Alighieri Society of SA Inc.

The three following questions were addressed:

1 How can the Italian Chamber of Commerce and the Italian Trade Commissions be more user-friendly?

In order to increase the Italian Australian youth awareness of, and engagement with, the Italian Chamber of Commerce it was suggested to:

- increase the awareness of the various trade activities and events through the use of more mainstream advertising and other websites pertinent to youth

- consider appointing a youth representative to sit on the Board of the trade organisations or act as a liaison with Italian Australian youth associations

- establish a past members and professional arm of the existing GIA structure to ensure an expanding GIA network

- consider the promotion of commerce as an access point to Italian language and culture

- develop work experience exchange programs with Italy

2 What is the availability of opportunities for working holidays, internships, scholarships and professional exchanges?

With regard to the working holiday visa, all agreed this is an excellent facility, however there are limitations in relation to working immediately upon arrival. Therefore there is a need for the current bi-lateral agreement to be reviewed by Italian and Australian governments and to develop strategies for the creation of local internships at the Italian Chamber of Commerce & Industry and other trade organisations and companies with links with Italy.

The general consensus was to promote these opportunities through the existing GIA networks. There is a need and request for more internship opportunities in Italy.

As the opportunity for scholarships is limited, it was suggested that the links between Italian and Australian universities be increased.  
There is also an interest for professional exchanges, however not many exist. It is suggested that the trade entities play a proactive role in creating or fostering opportunities for youth to participate in such programs.

3 Is there a need to generate Italian Industry Associations in Australia?

The general consensus was that professional associations could be useful in establishing professional and trade exchanges. However it was not deemed necessary in every sector. It was suggested that GIA contact existing industry associations and assist the linking of these associations with young professionals. Due to the high interest in immigration to Australia, one of the suggestions was that some of the legal practices engage or consider the specialising in immigration law between Italy and Australia in order to facilitate further exchanges.  
It was suggested that an Italian and Australian database be created where job and internship opportunities can be collated and publicised through trade organisation websites.

GIA Interim Committee