Mastering
a language provides an indispensable tool
for integrating oneself into a country and
its culture. This assertion, with which it
is difficult to disagree, is for the
Community of Sant'Egidio more than an empty
declaration of principle.
It is rather a concrete undertaking made
twenty-five years ago, giving life to
Louis Massignon School where, free of
charge, thousands of immigrants each year
from every continent can study Italian
language courses as well as courses of
cultural mediation: courses recognised by
Italy’s Ministry of Education and by the
local Lazio regional administration.
This no small contribution to integration.
In academic year 2007 alone, 1,500
students, from 10 school sections
distributed all over the Italian national
territory, sat exams at elementary,
intermediate and advanced levels.
The diploma-giving ceremony is, quite
rightly, a bit of a party. In fact, for an
adult immigrant, who will often have a
fair level of education – unusable in
their new circumstances – the diploma
represents the re-gaining of a dignity
that is all too often denied to those
seeking work far from their native lands.
On Sunday 16 September, in Rome’s
Trastevere area, in what was the school’s
first site, hundreds of people arrived to
receive their diplomas from the hands of
their teachers.
They included students from the schools in
Rome’s Via Dandolo and Centocelle (in
Esquilino, and in Ostia, the ceremony was
held in July) and from two
‘affiliated’ schools: the ACSE school of
the Combonian Fathers and that of a parish
in Acilia, "Our Lady of Loreto".
During the festivities, presented by
Zeinab Ahmed Dolal( Somalia), Gabriel Rusu
(Romania) and Paolo Morozzo (Italy),there
were speeches by several students,
testifying how this school – of language
and of friendship – had brought them a
substantial push towards true integration
into the world of work, among others.
"This diploma – said Daniela Pompei, Head
of the school – is a precious key, to be
used responsibly at this difficult time in
which you hear a lot of negative talk
about foreigners. It is a key that will
enable many to learn the value of
different peoples living together".
As Ramadan has already started, occasion
was provided for the celebration of Iftar
– the prayer for breaking the fast – for
students of Moslem faith. This was led by
a young imam who had just received his
diploma in cultural mediation.
Celebrations ended with the announcement
of the forthcoming Caravan of Peace, which
sets off for Naples on 19 October, where
it will join up with
The Encounter of Prayer for Peace between
the World’s Religions, being held from 21
to 23 October.
gentidipace
