Acli Terra and Agci (General Association of Italian Cooperatives) Tuesday 16 September will be received at the UN in Geneva for a hearing by the Apostolic Nuncio Monsignor Ettore Balestrero. At the urging of FAFCE, the Federation of Catholic Family Associations in Europe, the two associations will present an analysis and proposals on the family business model as an engine for sustainable agribusiness development. The delegations will be led by the National President of Acli Terra, Nicola Tavoletta, and the President of Agci Agroalimentare, Antonello Capua. The working document, the result of research by a scientific committee coordinated by economist Attilio Celant, emphasises the crucial role of rural family businesses. These companies represent 97% of the Italian agricultural sector and produce 80% of the world's food, but are challenged by the challenges of the geopolitical environment.
“Family farms are exposed to global risks such as price volatility and international competition“says Acli Terra National President Nicola Tavoletta. “Our proposals aim at countering structural criticalities such as the demographic crisis, the digital divide and the lack of education, to ensure the survival and development of this model. We believe it is a model that is also useful beyond Europe's borders, functional not only economically but also socially, and we will present comprehensive proposals for this. I therefore thank the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations and International Organisations in Geneva, Msgr. Ettore Balestrero, always attentive to issues such as innovation and creativity, for the achievement of sustainable development models“.
“Cooperation is the beating heart of Italian agribusiness,' said the President of AGCI Agroalimentare Antonello Capua - and it is thanks to the strength of cooperative enterprises that the family business can face global challenges while keeping its roots firmly in the territory. Our model combines economic efficiency and social responsibility, promoting inclusion, sustainability and innovation. Bringing this vision to the UN means affirming that development nsolidarity between companies and people cannot be ignored. Cooperatives are productive communities that generate shared value. In a fragmented world, cooperation is the most concrete answer to building a fair and resilient future. AGCI is proud to represent this voice, strong and united, in the face of international diplomacy.” The full contents of the document and further details will be announced at a press conference after the hearing.
Onu (Image @ Salya T on Unsplash)
One Response
👏 An important and forward-looking initiative.
Keeping our roots firmly in the territory and at the same time bringing to the UN a model that combines economic efficiency, inclusion and social responsibility means giving voice to an Italy that knows how to innovate without forgetting its values.
Cooperatives, as productive communities, demonstrate that development cannot be separated from solidarity.