MILAN (ITALPRESS) – Young people beside the police in real shifts of road activities, or next to rescuers during emergency situations. This is what the educational project ‘On the Road – Young Protagonists’, presented today at the Cittadella dello Sport in Bergamo. The initiative is promoted by Ragazzi On the Road APS along with the partners CSI Bergamo, Associazione Atena and EFP Sacra Famiglia, and was the winner of the Young SMART band promoted and funded by Regione Lombardia. The press conference also attended the Undersecretary of the Young and Sport Region of Lombardy, Federica Picchi, together with representatives of the realities involved. ‘On the Road – Young Protagonists’ is a unique project in the Italian and European landscape, born with a simple but powerful goal: to make young people live a direct experience of legality that educates on active citizenship and contributes to break down stereotypes and distances. In total, 400 girls and boys will be involved throughout the year. Eighty of them will have the opportunity to support – in real shifts and after a dedicated training – the Local Police, the Forces of the Order, the operators of 112, health personnel and rescuers. An opportunity to discover from the inside how emergencies are managed and how the common good is protected every day.
“To accompany young people in concrete experiences of legality, side by side with law enforcement – says Federica Picchi – is an extraordinary opportunity for personal and civic growth.” The undersecretary thanked Egidio Provenzi, president of the Associazione Ragazzi On the Road APS, winner of the regional call Youth Smart for the province of Bergamo, recipient of a funding of 50,000 euros, and to all those who work for the project, “including bodies of the State, which demonstrate great openness and transparency towards the new generations”. “This path – continues – will allow young people to live firsthand what it means to work daily for the security of the community, experiencing firsthand the value of rules, prevention and respect of institutions. An opportunity to recognize the commitment – often also at the risk of their lives – of those who protect the safety and health of all citizens.” The activities will involve in particular about 40 students of EFP Holy Family, who will participate in field experiences after specific moments of prevention and awareness in the classroom dedicated to security, legality and individual responsibility. The activities within the Secondary Institutes of II Grade will be curated by the Athena Association, with the support of Ragazzi On the Road APS. The project is also an educational opportunity for young people who are experiencing difficulties in the school.
For a few months, Ragazzi On the Road APS has been collaborating with numerous institutes, welcoming students with suspension measures from the lessons, offering them the opportunity to transform a disciplinary sanction into a training experience and responsibility. A central role will be played by CSI Bergamo, which will help to expand the scope of the project through the involvement of the affiliated sports companies on the territory. The initiative will also be promoted at sporting events of provincial importance, with moments of awareness aimed at young athletes, families and sports communities, to spread a culture of safety, respect for rules and responsibility. Among the most innovative actions of the project is the path dedicated to the arbitral service, developed in collaboration with the local sports world and already experienced successfully together with the A.S.D. Virescit. The initiative will allow young athletes to put themselves in the shoes of an arbitrator, directing real matches and comparing with the responsibilities of a race officer. An experience that helps to understand from within the value of decisions taken in a few seconds, the weight of responsibility and the importance of respect for those who are called to enforce the rules. Precisely for its educational value, this experience is proposed as a pilot model for other committees of the Italian Sports Centre at national level. ‘On the Road Youth protagonists’ is a real community path.
School, sport, associations and institutions collaborate to offer young concrete opportunities for growth. Through direct experiences, training meetings and activities on the territory, the project aims to strengthen the awareness of the value of the rules, mutual respect and civic commitment. A path that puts young people in the centre, making them protagonists of experiences capable of leaving a real mark on their personal journey and in the life of the community.
– photo press office Regione Lombardia –
(ITALPRESS).
