The 70th Anniversary of Italy’s Permanent Mission in Geneva

The 70th Anniversary of Italy’s Permanent Mission in Geneva

(ANSA) - GINEVRA, 28 OTT - At the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the long history of collaboration between Italy and the United Nations is currently being celebrated with the opening of an exhibition that traces its key moments, thanks to the extraordinary documentary and multimedia collection provided by the Farnesina, the Istituto Luce, and the UN Office in Geneva. On December 14, 1955—as a statement from the Mission recalls—Italy acceded to the United Nations Charter, becoming a member of the Organization, and in 1956 the Italian Permanent Mission began its work in Geneva: “70 years of continuous commitment to supporting multilateral dialogue and promoting a global order based on rules and the protection of human rights.” As noted by the Permanent Representative, Luigi Maria Vignali, the exhibition tells a story rich in major diplomatic events in international Geneva and bears witness to Italy’s active participation in multilateralism. Geneva has, after all, always been inextricably linked to Italy’s history, from the Risorgimento to the welcoming of anti-fascist exiles, who later became the founding fathers of the Republic. The exhibition—as the press release specifies—includes an extremely valuable first edition of Cesare Beccaria’s *Treatise on Crimes and Punishments*, confirming Italy’s long tradition of developing a body of international norms to protect human dignity. And it is precisely through the United Nations that Italy has taken decisive steps in its campaign for the abolition of the death penalty, as summarized in various documents on display. Just a few days before the International Day commemorating the founding of the United Nations, the event thus traces the deep connections between Italy and the diplomatic community (and beyond) in the city of Geneva, the press release concludes. Read article...