Conference on immigration

Ripandelli's Comites hosts November 17 event at Villa Colombo

In recent months there has been a lot of news for Italian citizens residing abroad, from the vote to the Regional State Conference. News of such importance that we of Comites in Toronto have thought it necessary to convene a 'second conference on Italian immigration to Canada,' to give everyone the most information possible and at the same time talk about problems and exchange ideas." Speaking is Luigi Ripandelli, president of Comites (Italians Abroad Committee) Toronto.
Who is invited to the conference?
"Everybody. Our 'official' invitations went out to the Ambassador, all of the consulate, the presidents of other Comites, as well as of course the media. Nevertheless, I repeat, anybody can participate. You can register for free, by calling the secretary of Comites (416.746.5674), or by showing up at Villa Colombo's Sala Caboto at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 17."
What will you speak about?
"There will be five principal themes. We will talk about citizens' rights (the vote); information (on this point it has been confirmed that the director of RAI International, Antonio Magliaro, will be present, to speak on the future of RAI in Canada); health care and social security (about the new minimum pensions and the INPS census); and relations with the regions, which with the famous decentralization becomes more important every day."
Will anyone besides Magliaro be making a speech?
"A prepared speech no, but but other people will be making remarks. For example, we will begin with reading a message from the Ambassador. There will also be remarks from the Toronto Consul and by Gino Bucchino, vice secretary for the anglophone area of CGIE; and other members of the CGIE (Arnalda Lancellotti Bartoli, Carlo Consiglio, Rocco Di Trolio, Domenico Marozzi), my own presentation and those of the Comites presidents of Edmonton, Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver. The discussions will be coordinated by members of Comites Toronto and the president of Comites Montreal, who will present introductory remarks on their chosen topics. In the end all those who want to can participate in the debate."
Who will the results of the proceedings go to?
"The final document, including all of the presented reports, will be sent to all of the participants as well as the 300 associations that we have on our mailing list. Besides that we will send it to all of the member organizations in Rome, the Ministry for Italians in the World, the Foreign Ministry, the Presidential Cabinet and others. To the Councillor General for Italians Abroad (CGIE), beyond sending copies we will report the to the Canadian representatives of the same CGIE during their next reunion."
The Conference for Italians will take place on Sunday, November 17 at Villa Colombo, 40 Playfair. Registration is free, and can be done by either by calling the Comites secretary at 416.746.5674, or at the event, which takes place in the Sala Caboto. All are welcome.

Publication Date: 2002-11-17
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=2009