Two Italian Scouts Receive a Prestigious Presidential Award

Alice Chiozza and Aruna Rossi, two girl Scouts from the Italian association AGESCI, have been awarded with the Certificate of Honor of Alfiere della Repubblica by the President of the Republic of Italy Sergio Mattarella.

Together with other 26 young people from the country, Alice and Aruna have been recognised for their civic engagement and their solidarity actions. 

Both from the Central-Northern region of Emilia Romagna, the two Scouts have worked hard during the 2020 lockdown to support people in need in their respective cities, that have had to endure some tough challenging times linked to the pandemic. 

In Piacenza, Alice joined the civil protection Scout patrol and from the very first day of the emergency action, she provided logistical and organisational support to the other volunteers. She offered her contribution of service assisting remotely the volunteers on the field, coordinating their actions and planning all the shifts. With her patrol, they have helped many lonely and vulnerable people by delivering food and essential groceries, serving at the food bank and distributing face-masks.

“Unfortunately I was still a minor when the crisis begun and I couldn’t be deployed on the field but I decided to provide my support to the frontliners, regardless. ” She said. 

“The award was a real surprise to me, I wasn’t expecting anything similar but I also feel very proud. This is a significant recognition for the great effort made by the Scouts here in my city.” Alice commented on the decision of the President.      

At that time too, Aruna started an initiative to support the elderly living alone in the city of Cento, where she promoted the “Pen friends initiative” among friends and peers. Through a postal exchange of letters ,she managed to build a bridge across generations. This method has made it possible to stay in contact while keeping safe and without depending on social networks or digital platforms. 

“I was touched by the words written by my penfriend, although we were not together I could feel we were connected.” Said Aruna remembering the initiative.  

Following the award ceremony, the regional coordiantor pointed out: 

“Alice and Aruna are but a brilliant example of an altruistic young generation, able to drive positive change in their local communities”. We all owe to young Scouts a big thank you for their community service, standing for the most vulnerable and putting into action the high quality skills and value system of our movement. ”  

The Chairpersons of the AGESCI National Committee, Barbara Battilana and Vincenzo Piccolo, congratulated the two Scouts and celebrated the well-deserved recognition for Scouting at large.

The prestigious Certificate of Honor of Alfiere della Repubblica is an award reserved for Italian and foreign young people residing in Italy who, at the time of reporting, are not yet eighteen and have carried out relevant initiatives in the areas of culture, science, art, sport as well as volunteering, in a spirit of altruism and solidarity, thus standing out as positive role models for the new generations.