023 was a year of satisfactory results for the Robert F. Kennedy Foundation of Italy Onlus, with the implementation of new important projects and the consolidation of those already in place.
In the past year, the world scene was characterized by significant geopolitical developments with deep implications for human rights globally. The international situation was marked by a series of events which directly impacted the protection and promotion of human rights.
One of the most worrying aspects was the escalation of armed conflicts in several regions. The ongoing wars in Syria, Yemen and Ukraine continued to cause immense suffering, with thousands of civilian casualties and millions of displaced people. These conflicts exacerbated human rights violations, and the efforts made to achieve peace agreements were often thwarted by diverging geopolitical interests.
2023 saw an increase in the authoritarian trends in different parts of the world. Several governments intensified repression against political dissidents, journalists and human rights activists. Restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association were implemented more strictly.
Despite some advances, women’s and minorities’ rights remain seriously threatened. In many countries, LGBTQ+ communities continue to subjected to discriminations, violence and repressive laws. However, grass-roots movements and international organizations continued to fight for equality and rights, achieving significant success in some jurisdictions.
Climate change emerged as one of the main threats to human rights. Extreme climate events, such as hurricanes, fires and floods, devastated communities all over the world, highlighting the vulnerability of human rights in the face of the climate crisis. Indigenous populations and poor communities were particularly affected, thus worsening the existing inequalities.
2023 highlighted the complexity of the geopolitical landscape and the ongoing challenges regarding human rights. While some countries made significant progress, others saw a deterioration in their situation. The international community must remain vigilant and united in the defense of human rights, promoting peace, justice and dignity for all.
As we look at the future, we are committed to continue our mission with renewed determination, addressing emerging challenges and working for a world where the rights of every individual are respected and protected.
A big thanks to our staff, donors, partners and all those who supported and support our organization helping us to achieve the great ideals of Senator Robert F. Kennedy.
Stefano Lucchini
President
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
Italia
Stefano Lucchini
In response to the great needs of our time concerning fundamental rights protection, respect and education, the Robert F. Kennedy of Italy Onlus Association has achieved several goals on the path to a more just and peaceful world.
Following the success of the first two editions of the online civic education course “CivicAttiva”, we launched the third edition with its focus on the fight against educational poverty. Thanks to the online course, many teachers became acquainted with our activities and our human rights defenders and invited us to meet their classes to put into practice, through role playing and shared activities, what it means to prevent violations and to do our part to improve the living conditions in our common home.
On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we staged the play “Coraggio senza confini – Voci oltre il buio” at the Rebibbia N.C. “Raffaele Cinotti” prison in Rome with the involvement of 9 inmates. This unique and compelling performance was made possible thanks to the passionate commitment of people who, through drama, find a way to their own redemption.
The play staged at the Rebibbia prison proved, once again, how the collaboration between institutions and Third Sector can bring about a generative and lasting change.
Secretary General
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
We did not neglect to help our communities: as a matter of fact, we implemented the Bobby’s Dream project aimed at developing virtuous models of social inclusion and inclusive employment for people in vulnerable situations by offering training courses on human rights and on the skills required to be hired by companies engaged in the implementation of the ESG strategy frameworks.
The RFK International House of Human Rights, our Florence headquarters, became again an important center for the promotion of rights and the dignity of all human beings, where artists and members of other NGO’s share their own experiences and skills.
Inside this building, which, in a highly symbolic way, turned from a place of freedom deprivation and great suffering into a place of dialogue and culture, we trained teachers from all over Italy on human rights education, and we made both Italian and foreign students familiar with what active citizenship is about through experiential learning labs, book presentations and art exhibitions.
In 2023, we laid the foundation for new projects and initiatives which can make the organization grow in the next future and enable it to meet the challenges involved in the defense of human rights at school, in the workplace, and in every social context.
Federico Moro
Italia
Federico Moro
ROBERT F. KENNEDY
Robert F. Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts, the seventh son of Rose and Joseph P. Kennedy. In his capacity as U.S. Attorney General, during his brother John’s administration, Robert F. Kennedy led campaigns against organized crime and worked hard for the implementation of the Civil Rights Act. After his brother’s death, he decided to run for the U.S. Senate promoting policies in support of workers, initiatives against poverty, a better access to health care for all and the respect for human rights.
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia (RFK Italia) was established to preserve the moral legacy of senator Robert F. Kennedy and realize his dream of a more just and peaceful world by promoting the values of an active and sustainable citizenship, the protection of human rights and the fight against any form of discrimination.
Luther
Photo: Burt Glinn (colorized photo)
01
HUMAN RIGHTS EDUCATION
In 2023, RFK Human Rights Italia focused on the fight against the different forms of educational poverty.
Therefore, the third edition of “CivicAttiva”, the civic education digital platform for teachers, dealt with this multi-faceted phenomenon, and saw the consolidation of important partnerships with third-sector entities, universities and public institutions.
The “A scuola di comunità” project ended on May 30th. Thanks to the support of Hines, it involved 10 schools, 93 classes, 25 teachers and 1599 students in Sesto San Giovanni (Milan) who were able to present their own ideas of a more just world also to the municipality.
THE PROJECTS REALIZED
La scuola è di tutti
SOFIA-platform-accredited free course to support teachers in building an active and informed citizenship
For TEACHERS and TEACHERS’ TRAINERS of SCHOOLS of EVERY TYPE and LEVEL
Role-playing, participation activities, in-depth pathways on human rights, active citizenship, scientific citizenship
INTENDED for: from PRIMARY-SCHOOL to HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS
Diritti a Firenze
Itinerari per ragazzi e adulti
Guided tours to discover together the relationship between the most representative places in Florence and the establishment of civil rights
INTENDED for: from PRIMARY-SCHOOL to HIGH-SCHOOL STUDENTS
OLIMPIADI DIGITALI dei DIRITTI UMANI
Human Rights Digital Olympics
Online challenge, in English, to promote the knowledge of human rights, sustainability, Constitution and International Charters
For STUDENTS from the FINAL THREE YEARS of HIGH SCHOOL
A SCUOLA DI COMUNITÀ
A course on rights education and active citizenship for schools of every type and level in Sesto San Giovanni (Milan) with the support of Hines. Students worked on topics such as inclusion, scientific citizenship, fight against bullying and cyberbullying and social theater using as a starting point the stories of the activists from the educational manual “Speak Truth to Power - Coraggio senza confini”
SUSTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Management at Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, in Piacenza. The course is aimed at training competent managers who are sensitive to sustainability issues – social, environmental, economic – also through the testimonies of partners
HUMAN RIGHTS LABS A SCUOLA DI COMUNITÀ
EDUCATION in FIGURES
C
IVICATTIVA III
School belongs to everyone
H
UMAN RIGHTS LABS
Activities with schools about active citizenship, scientific citizenship, human rights, sustainability
S USTAINABILITY MANAGEMENT
Bachelor’s degree, and master’s degree courses
A
SCUOLA DI COMUNITÀ
Sesto San Giovanni project
H UMAN RIGHTS
DIGITAL OLYMPICS in English language
IRITTI A FIRENZE
Educational tours
WHAT THEY SAY about US
“I wish to thank you for the opportunity of participating in a useful and effective training course aimed at primary school pupils, offering excellent food for thought and a wealth of knowledge that broadens one’s own cultural and professional background.
I’m happy I attended the course and involved other colleagues who have shown the same enthusiasm as me.
Giuseppina, teacher
CivicAttiva II attendee
““It’s the second course I take with you. I take the opportunity to offer my heartfelt congratulations for the course: interesting materials, original insights. I particularly appreciated the final civic education Learning Unit and the comics in English about the goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Antonella, teacher
CivicAttiva II attendee
““
Thank you for giving us this wonderful opportunity.
We had great fun and learned a lot. We are looking forward to the next editions or future initiatives.
Students participating in the III edition of the Human Rights Digital Olympics
Marcelline Institute, Arona
OUR TEAM and our PARTNERS
Education and Communications
Community & Development
Valentina Pagliai
Education and Advocacy Manager
Carolina Rocha Barreto
Specialist
Francesco Bartalesi
Specialist
This world demands the qualities of youth; not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of the imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, or the appetite for adventure over the love of ease
Robert F. Kennedy Robert F. Kennedy
Speech at the University of Cape Town on the “Day of Affirmation”.
June 6, 1966
02
THEATER in PRISON
In 2023, RFK Human Rights Italia organized a drama class within the Rebibbia N.C. “Raffale Cinotti” prison to stage the play “Coraggio senza confini – Voci oltre il buio” by Ariel Dorfman, based on the book “Speak Truth to Power” by Kerry Kennedy featuring the interviews with 50 human rights defenders. The project was open to 9 inmates who brought the show to the stage on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
THE PROJECT REALIZED
Rebibbia N.C. "Ra aele Cinotti"
Prison:
Play:
Coraggio senza confini, Voci oltre il buio di Ariel Dorfman.
Based on: Speak Truth to Power di Kerry Kennedy
CORAGGIO SENZA CONFINI
THE PROJECT IN FIGURES
2 MEETINGS a week
60 HRS drama course
2 SHOWS
9 INMATES
5 TRAINERS
WHAT THEY SAY about US
“Thank you for everything, you were mind-blowing. This show left us all with a surplus of emotions for many understandable legal, sociological, political, and human reasons.
Interpreting the hash and cruel words of the script was not easy. The tragedy of the death penalty in connection with the testimony and the words of Sister Helen Prejean deeply affected me and moved me to tears.
“
Living without dreams is something dreadful. Everybody, regardless of age or gender, needs to live and dream too. Very often, the indifference of other people is the reason dreams are destroyed and, without being aware of it, we can become the destroyers of both other people’s and our own dreams. Today, I have realized that you don’t need much to put an end to this vicious circle, you just need to be more sensitive towards others and towards yourself.
““
Fabio
Rebibbia inmate
Mario
Rebibbia inmate
OUR TEAM and our PARTNERS
Education and Advocacy Manager
Education and Communications Specialist
Community & Development Specialist
ROMA REBIBBIA NUOVO COMPLESSO CASA CIRCONDARIALE – RAFFAELE CINOTTI
Francesco Bartalesi
Valentina Pagliai
Carolina Rocha Barreto
Il primo compito di chi governa, il primo compito delle persone preoccupate non è di condannare o castigare o deplorare, bensì di cercare il motivo della delusione e dell'alienzazione, la ragione della protesta e del dissenso, magari per trarne qualche utile lezione.
Robert F. Kennedy
Speech at “Americans for Democratic Action”, Philadelphia, February 24, 1967
BOBBY'S DREAM
for SOCIAL INCLUSION and INCLUSIVE EMPLOYMENT
In 2023, RFK Human Rights Italia developed the BOBBY’s DREAM project for social inclusion and inclusive employment aimed at persons in a state of vulnerability in order to reduce the economic inequality which in Italy concerns especially the fragile population.
Two pilot projects were activated, one in Milan and the other in Florence, offering hard skills courses, leading to steady jobs for women and/or men in vulnerable situations, and soft skills activities, including human rights, workers’ rights and duties, psychological support, financial education and Italian language lessons.
Furthermore, an inclusion project aimed at migrants, refugees and asylum seekers was continued at SAI in Fabbriche di Vergemoli (LU).
THE PROJECT REALIZED
FLORENCE Filo-Lab Embroidery course for haute couture
FABBRICHE di VERGEMOLI (LU)
Inclusive employment project for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers
MILAN Technical training for healthcare assistants
BOBBY’S DREAM
S
5
WHAT THEY SAY about US
“I decided to take this course to change my life and get a job.
“I learned a lot and met people from many different places, but there was no difference among us. It was an opportunity to improve, also as a person.
“
“
“
I felt I was part of a large, great project. It’s not just work, it’s collaborating with people.
“
Nicholas Nigeria. Healthcare Assistant course attendee
Maria Peru. FiloLab course attendee
Adriana Armanni
Embroidery teacher on the FiloLab course
OUR TEAM and our PARTNERS
Fiammetta Chiarini Senior Advisor, International House & Community Program
Francesco Bartalesi Community & Development Specialist
everyone here will ultimately be judged –will ultimately judge himself – on the effort he has contributed to building a new world society and the extent to which his ideals and goals have shaped that effort .
Robert F. Kennedy
Speech at the University of Cape Town on the “Day of Affirmation”. June 6, 1966
RFK International House of Human Rigths and COMMUNITY SUPPORT
In 2023, we opened again the doors of the RFK International House of Human Rights to offer cultural events about rights and the dignity of all human beings.
Together with us, artists and members of other NGO’s shared their experiences and skills and, through experiential learning labs, book presentations and art exhibitions, we trained teachers from all over Italy and made young people familiar with active citizenship.
As part of the Community project, we continued to host nine Ukrainian refugees in our guest house until October, supported people in a state of vulnerability by opening the Solidarity Store in Lecco, for which we paid the renovation works, and organized a special Christmas delivery for 60 homeless people.
2660 OVERNIGHT STAYS
156
484
WHAT THEY SAY about US
“
I liked the Rights in Florence project very much, because I found it interesting to discover new things about Florence and Dante’s history. The debate about the death penalty was particularly interesting, since it gave me the opportunity to get to know the different points of view of my schoolmates. I was surprised by the observations of each one of them and by the humanity they showed, revealing a certain maturity which I had never realized in them.
Alessio Student, Elsa Morante high school
“
A big thank you for the hospitality in such a particular place. We had very beautiful days.
“
Thank you for welcoming us at the International House and for taking us on our school trip, even more precious after the pandemic period which had kept our students isolated without the possibility of travelling, enjoying the beauty of our country and making valuable encounters.
The winners of the Human Rights Digital Olympics
Rosatelli high school
“
Cristina
“
OUR TEAM and our PARTNERS
Fiammetta Chiarini Senior Advisor, International House & Community Program
Francesco Bartalesi Community & Development Specialist
Few men are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change the world which yields most painfully to change
Robert F. Kennedy
Speech at the University of Cape Town on the “Day of Affirmation”, June 6, 1966
05
FUNDRAISING
Every year, RFK Human Rights Italia organizes the Be the Hope Gala Dinner & Award in Milan, an event aimed at raising funds and tell our supporters about the activities we carried out and the goals we achieved during the year. In 2023, RFK Human Rights Italia also organized a concert of the Cameristi della Scala among the spires of the Milan Cathedral. Furthermore, it participated in the annual auction held in Alba by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Cuneo with the awarding of a barrique to a deserving project.
THE PROJECT REALIZED
Milano
BE the HOPE
Gala & Awards 2023
Milano
The Cathedral Spires The Cameristi della Scala concert
GALA
696.000 € RAISED 26 LOTS AT AUCTION 17LOTS AT ONLINE AUCTION
4 AWARDS presented
5 PARTNERSHIPS established
OUR MERCHANDISING
My Style Bags bag
Water bottle
Hoodie Cap Magnet and perpetual pencil Cup T-Shirt Shopper
THEY SAY: “I LIKE HUMAN RIGHTS”
OUR TEAM and our PARTNERS
Federico Moro
Segretario Generale
Amanda Giraldin Development, Fundraising & Communication Specialist
Nicole Pravadelli Consultant Fundraising & Development
Surely we can learn, at least, to look at those around us as fellow men and surely we can begin to work a little harder to bind up the wounds among us and to become in our hearts brothers and countrymen once again
