The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hon. Antonio Tajani, today attended the annual meeting of Doctors with Africa CUAMM at the Lingotto Congress Centre in Turin.
The theme of the meeting was “Health at the Centre”, and it was an opportunity to address issues such as health protection in Africa, young people and training.
During his speech, the Minister said: “I think of the many volunteers working in Africa as true ambassadors of Italian solidarity know-how. The Foreign Ministry’s action, ranging from education to training through our schools abroad, and the Development Cooperation projects, is a fundamental guideline for fostering growth and creating jobs, also by involving our private sector.”
He added: ‘The Government has promoted a new approach towards Africa, based on equal partnerships in key sectors such as health, vocational training, energy, food security and agriculture. The voice and example of civil society, of the non-profit sector, of volunteers and of the missionary world, are a fundamental component of this commitment.”
During the G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting held in Pescara last October, an event was dedicated precisely to the role played by missionaries. Minister Tajani said: “A meeting to which I invited many African countries to underline the importance of looking at Africa through the African lens. A meeting that I had the great privilege of opening with a message from the Holy Father, Pope Francis, whose profound words were a source of teaching and reflection for all delegations.”
