The Community Foundation for Rondine signed Assifero’s “Future Chair” campaign for intergenerational dialogue.

Just over half of the world’s population is under 30 years old. But if one looks at country by country, continent by continent, the situation changes: Africa has an average age of 18.8, Asia and South America of about 32, while Europe reaches the age of 44. Going into more detail, Italy ranks among the oldest states in the world, with an average age of about 47. In this context, young people struggle to find meaningful spaces to express their opinions and be heard, failing to influence public policies and bring their views to the tables where decisions are made.

In accordance with international law and the principles recognized by the 1989 New York Convention (Art. 12), young people have much to say and offer: from reporting and acting on the causes they care most about, to bringing new skills, ideas, and points of view. Actively involving them in the various levels of decision-making and spaces of influence can bring several significant benefits to organizations and can help to more effectively address the underlying causes of the problems that foundations and philanthropic organizations seek to solve.

This is why the Community Foundation for Rondine – an associate of the Assifero philanthropic network since 2022 – which has always had young people, foreigners, coming from conflict zones, and Italians, as the central focus of its mission and daily work, has signed Assifero’s “Future Chair” campaign, which is divided into six principles:

– To promote and create spaces for dialogue and confrontation;

– To remove obstacles and ensure enabling conditions;

– To promote a culture of active listening at all levels;

– To take into account and follow up on;

– To communicate the results achieved;

– To promote the principles.

All foundations, philanthropic entities, and social impact investors, regardless of their mission, scope, size, and geographic location, can sign this statement to testify their willingness in enabling youth participation and involvement in the decision-making processes of their organizations. The principles express common values to which the signatories pledge to strive. Principles in line with the history and soul of Rondine Citadel of Peace.