The commitment to those who find themselves in situations of particular vulnerability - such as women, children and young people - is one of the key focuses of the Italian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. The strengthening and protection of these categories reflects one of the three areas of intervention of its six-month program.

Officially started on 17th November 2021, the Presidency of our Country was celebrated with initiatives and events that immediately highlighted the nature of the Italian mandate. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benedetto Della Vedova also underlined the focus areas of the chairmanship during his participation in the inaugural concert Tribute to Morricone in Jazz  at the Auditorium Parco della Musica concert hall in Rome,: “In conceiving this event, we also wanted to connect to one of the most important points among our priorities: the enhancement of the role of the young generations, who are our future, and are the ones who have suffered the consequences of the pandemic the most”. , Directed by composer and musician Pino Jodice,  some of the best students of the National Jazz Orchestra of Italian Conservatories performed, whose presence on stage was a first, concrete signal of the direction to be taken by the Italian Presidency to the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

A positioning which was reinforced in the two subsequent appointments, the first online, the second in Strasbourg and in both of which the Minister for Family and Equal Opportunities Elena Bonetti participated. In occasion of the celebrations for the European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse on 18th November, the Italian Minister also sent a video-message, and on 25th of the same month, participated in the Gender Equality Commission of the Council of Europe on the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women. At the core of the discussion was the defence and the promotion of women’s rights through the political measures implemented.

“The Istanbul Convention is clear in its aims – the Italian Minister and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić declared jointly - it prevents violence against women, protects those who become victims and ensures prosecution of perpetrators. (...) It is the most advanced international instrument European States have and its full implementation is the most effective way to stand up for women’s rights. We encourage additional signatures and ratifications.

During its six months of Presidency, Italy will also renew its commitment to the founding values and principles of the Council of Europe, throughout initiatives focused on inclusivity, the identity of the Organisation, and the construction of a people orientated future, starting with the challenges posed by technology to human rights, such as the application of Artificial Intelligence
(AI) and the promotion of a citizen-friendly juridical system. Concrete acts, opportunities for dialogue and targeted initiatives will contribute to the creation of a common juridical space and a set of shared values in support of democracy, the rule of law and human rights, providing significant added value to security and stability in Europe.