Roberto Pellizzaro is a young vicentino politician who, in addition to holding positions in Forza Italia Giovani, is vice-president of the International Young Democratic Union (IYDU), the largest global organization of youth movements in the centre.
Master’s Degree in International Policy and Diplomacy at the University of Padua, Second Level Master at the Luiss School of Government, he was a municipal council member from 2009 to 2019 in the Municipality of Montecchio Maggiore (VI) and from late October 2018 to March 2019 he worked in New Delhi, India.
For a year and a half has been Sales area manager for a company of the vicentino of machine tools that has a headquarters near Cleveland, OH, while continuing to follow international policy. In this interview, Pellizzaro retraces his path, tells his American experience and reflects on the role of Italy in the international political landscape.
How does his passion for politics arise?
My political passion began when I was a kid. Already in the middle school I was interested in what happened around me and I saw in direct and personal commitment one of the ways to be at the service of others and to be able somehow to make a contribution. During the last years of high school I started to carry out this passion with the party that most represented me, Forza Italia.
At 21, I had the privilege of being elected municipal councillor in my city, Montecchio Maggiore, in the province of Vicenza. I’ve played that role until 31 years.
These days I am about to conclude my path as Vice Coordinator of Forza Italia Giovani del Veneto, a role I have played since 2018.
When did he come to America and why?
I’ve been living in the United States for about a year and a half, near Cleveland, Ohio. I work for an Italian company that produces machine tools, a classic Venetian industrial reality of a ninety people who work a lot with export. After a few years, the opportunity to move and join the US team was presented.
I have the opportunity to follow the North American market, especially the American market, as Sales area manager. It is a very stimulating experience.
Did your international commitment begin before your departure to the United States?
Yes, I have always followed international issues with interest, even from the point of view of university studies.
I began to deal with it in more recent years, when I began to follow the works of the Esteri Table of Forza Italia Giovani. It is a department of youth movement that deals with international issues
As IYDU we also organize activities and meetings between the youth movements of the center-right parties in the world.
Generally, we have four main events per year: two organized by the mother organization, the International Democracy Union (IDU), and two promoted directly by us. We meet in the host countries: For example, in November last year we stayed in Brazil, in June this year in Brussels, while the last time in late July we met in Nashville, Tennessee for the election of the new Board.
What is the International Young Democratic Union and how does it work?
It is the world’s largest youth movement organization in the centre of the country, covering about 80 countries. It includes moderate and conservative parties: to give an idea, it is composed of parties that belong to the EPP Group and the ECR Group in Europe.
Often, to better explain to those who don’t know it, I’m joking that it’s like “the Socialist International”… but in the middle!
Our members represent the various geographical areas of the world: from the young American Republicans, to the youth of the BJP of India, passing through the young democratic German Christians, and of course the youth of Forza Italia.
It is managed by a Board that lasts two years.
What is the mission of the organization?
Our mission is to promote and share the values of the centreright: State of law, individual freedom, free market, freedom of enterprise.
We are a network organization, and yet with limited means, we try to circulate these ideas and foster dialogue among young leaders around the world. It is interesting because, while having a core of common values, each country has its own sensitivity: It is a wealth, because it compares you with different cultural and political perspectives.
Can this experience be considered a political school?
Yes, absolutely. It is a political school in the broadest sense: on the one hand, because we share common principles and values, on the other, because differences and nuances emerge between the various center-right parties in the world.
On a personal level, it allowed me to grow a lot, especially thanks to direct comparison with colleagues and people who have had leading roles in their countries: former Prime Ministers, members of the Government and parliamentarians.
Did you notice differences between American and Italian politics?
Yes, especially in the organization of election campaigns. It is incredible the precision and capillarity with which they are conducted.
Here the door to door works a lot: volunteers literally knock thousands of doors during the campaigns. I myself participated in several door knocking, going home to promote some Ohio candidates.
They use technological tools: through an app already know who lives in a certain house, whether it is registered as a Republican, democratic or independent, age and other data that in Italy would be unthinkable to get for privacy issues. This allows to optimize efforts, focusing on the most relevant voters.
It is a system that combines technology and tradition, with an impeccable logistics organization.
What role can Italy play in this international organization?
Italy has always had a very strong capacity for dialogue, from the areas of the Mediterranean to relations with countries in conflict.
Within the organization, Italy is seen as a positive model of centreright: different parties, with different sensitivity, manage to work together in coalition. This arouses interest in both the United States and other EU countries. To see that Forza Italia, Lega e Fratelli d’Italia can collaborate is an important point for them.
What are the priorities of the new leadership for the coming months?
The new leadership was elected in early August, with a new President of Austria.
An important goal is to make the IYDU more known and expand the network of its members: new youth movements have recently entered which I am sure will enrich the organization.
On the subject, we will continue to discuss major international issues: the war between Russia and Ukraine, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the future of the Mediterranean.
We will also address economic issues such as US duties, which are very relevant to global trade relations.
Where do you imagine in ten years?
I don’t know where I’m gonna be, but I know I’m gonna want to keep serving the community. In what ways and forms you will see.
For me “serving” is not only a word, it is a value.
In this sense politics is a tool to take care of the community, if done with seriousness and respect. In ten years I would like to continue, in Italy or abroad, to make my contribution to the common good.
Is there a youth approach to politics?
In the United States, yes, I have noticed a growing interest, especially in recent years. Young people participate more, discuss, compare, although positions are not always dialogue.
In Italy the situation is more complex: there was a certain neckline and a disaffection. But I still see so many active boys and I hope this positive trend will grow. Participating is essential to help decide the future of the country.
You want to add something to finish?
Telling the stories of Italians abroad is an important service that you provide to the whole Italian and Italian community and in this sense I thank you for the opportunity you give to me too.
On the one hand I follow my work in the private sector, on the other I carry on my political passion in an international context. It is a privilege to join these two dimensions of my life.
The article From Italy to the United States, through international policy: the path of Roberto Pellizzaro comes from IlNewyorkese.
