ROME, 2 February 2023 – Today, the National Association of Italian Retired Diplomats “Costantino Nigra” (ASSDIPLAR) presented a graduation prize named after Ambassador Luca Attanasio. The award – worth EUR 2,000 – was assigned to Alessia Matturro, who graduated with a Master’s degree in “Intercultural Communication in the Euro-Mediterranean Area” from the University of Naples “L’Orientale” with a dissertation entitled: “The British Consulate in Naples: regular relations”.
The ceremony took place at the Farnesina in the presence of Mr. Attanasio’s widow, the Ambassador killed on 22 February 2021 in the Democratic Republic of Congo during an attack which also resulted in the death of Carabiniere Vittorio Iacovacci and driver Mustapha Milambo.
“Today’s ceremony is one of a series of initiatives to remember Luca Attanasio after almost two years since his tragic death. His passion and bravery are a source of inspiration for all Farnesina women and men, particularly for the younger generations of diplomats,” commented Ambassador Ettore Francesco Sequi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, handing over the award.
Also attending the ceremony were the President of ASSDIPLAR – Ambassador Giusandrea Mochi Onory -, Professor Paolo Wulzer – Deputy Director of the Department of Human and Social Sciences of University of Naples “L’Orientale” -, and Professor Rosa Maria Delli Quadri – supervisor of the master’s thesis to which the prize was awarded.
Now in its third edition, the ASSDIPLAR prize is awarded to a master’s or doctoral thesis about the figure of the diplomat and the role of diplomacy in contemporary society, with particular regard to the traditions of Italian diplomacy.
ASSDIPLAR is a private non-profit organisation founded in 2011. The Association aims to enhance the diplomat’s role and the Italian diplomacy’s expertise.
