Page 5 - Comites Progetto Donna

A REFLECTION FROM THE PRESIDENT
When Com.It.Es. SA first launched Progetto Donna in 2023, in collaboration with the Consulate of Italy in Adelaide and with the support of Ministero Affari Esteri e Cooperazione Internazionale, we could only hope it would make a meaningful impact on our community.
What began as a small seed soon grew into an inaugural awards ceremony, a video initiative, and a research project examining the representation of women in leadership roles within the Italian-South Australian community.
Each of these initiatives was designed to inspire reflection and promote change.
In the two years that followed, we discovered that the community was ready to listen, to embrace changes as difficult as they may present, and to celebrate its women. Hence, in 2025, Progetto Donna returns with renewed energy and purpose.
The enthusiasm and support we have received from associations, clubs, and individuals affirm one simple truth: this initiative has become a shared journey. It captures a moment of transformation: a time when our community recognises that women’s contributions are not only vital to our cultural fabric but also essential to shaping a more equitable, inclusive and dynamic future. This second edition of Progetto Donna Awards is not just a celebration; it is a reaffirmation of our collective belief in talent, determination, and the power of representation. Women’s leadership and visibility are not matters of symbolism: they are matters of balance, fairness, and progress.
By honouring the women who lead, create, and inspire, we help build pathways for the next generations.
We are deeply grateful to the Consulate of Italy in Adelaide for believing in this project, and to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for continuing to support this vision. We are delighted that the Dante Alighieri Society and the Sicilia Club came on board as collaborators. We are honoured that this event is also supported by a grant from the SA Department of the Premier and Cabinet. These collaborations and support highlight an important message: empowering women is a shared investment in the wellbeing and future of our entire society, and we all have a part to play.
Progetto Donna stands as a testament to what can happen when a community chooses to act, to include, and to believe in the potential of every voice. As we celebrate this second edition, may it remind us that:
every step forward, every recognition, every story shared, brings us closer to a more balanced, representative, and compassionate community.
Prof Marinella Marmo President, Com.It.Es. South Australia
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