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December 31, 2019 In the end-of-year message, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, recalled that a decade marked by a long economic crisis and impetuous changes has ended.

The head of state stressed the importance of looking at Italy from the outside, widening the gaze beyond the usual. Our country is seen as one of the meeting points of Europe with civilizations and cultures of other continents, a condition that has shaped our identity, synonymous with wisdom, genius, harmony and humanity.

In meeting foreign leaders, the President said, there is a great openness towards us, a strong desire for collaboration and a sympathy for our people. This is not only for art and lifestyle, but for peace policy, for the ability to dialogue in mutual respect, for the missions of the Armed Forces for stability and against terrorism and for the value of our businesses. There is a widespread demand for Italy.

Employment commitment needed
At the same time, there are problems that should not be underestimated. Firstly, the work that is lacking for many, then severe inequalities, some serious company crises and the need to revive the production system. But we can solve these problems and play an incisive role in Europe. Italy has confidence and this must lead us to have more of it in ourselves. We need to trust and engage in the common interest. There is an Italy, often silent, which has never stopped getting busy. The conditions that allow all the resources we have to emerge must be created, with a spirit of mutual solidarity.

The head of state then stressed that the gap between North and South must be reduced, which is holding back development potential.

Promote social cohesion
To promote trust, the functioning of public institutions that must nourish it is crucial, promoting social cohesion. This with effective and timely decisions on the issues of the concrete life of citizens. Democracy is strengthened if the institutions keep reasonable hope alive, and it is important to develop more and more a culture of responsibility that affects everyone: political formations, citizens, businesses, intermediate bodies and associations.

The importance of the culture of responsibility
The culture of responsibility is the strongest defense of freedom and defense of the principles on which the Republic is founded. Trust must be passed on to young people, to whom responsibility is asked, but to whom we must at the same time entrust responsibility. The new generations better understand the global dimension and interdependence of the world. In particular, they have the perception that climate change is a very serious issue that does not allow postponements to face it. Environmental choices are also opportunities for development and job creation.

Environmental protection
Mattarella then recalled the populations of threatened cities, such as Venice, the territories affected by earthquakes or floods, underlining how environmental protection is fundamental.

The head of state highlighted how demographic imbalances have shifted towards old age. This requires more care and attention towards the elderly. At the same time, there is a need to invest heavily in young people, to give them confidence and to avoid their exodus to abroad. The formation of new families should be encouraged, recalling how the greatest weight of social imbalances is on serious families.

Support for families
Providing support to families means making sure that they can fulfill their life plans. And the values ​​of the family, spreading in society, strengthen their civic sense. It is a virtue to cultivate that of civism, respect for the needs of others and public affairs. This limits aggression, arrogance and lacerations of the rules of coexistence.

The Italy of altruism and duty
The president recalled that true Italy is that of altruism and duty, recalling the figure of the mayor of Rocca di Papa, who sacrificed his life to save the employees of the Town Hall with the building hit by a fire.

The warning on the use of social media
The civic sense and sense of measure must also belong to those who frequent the world of social networks, which sometimes becomes an instrument to denigrate, even deforming the facts, with the spread of false news.

Mattarella then recalled the various components of the world of culture, an invaluable patrimony of ideas and energies that must be available for everyone. This must be told and shared, and this assigns a fundamental role to the media, and in particular to the public service. You need preparation and skills. The President then greeted the Pope, who exercises his magisterium with wisdom and courage, the Italians abroad and the armed forces.

Finally, the president wanted to remember the astronaut Luca Parmitano, the first Italian to command the International Space Station, underlining his commitment to the advanced frontier of space research. Parmitano, said Mattarella, has sent me a message that I make my own: hope consists in the possibility of always having something to reach. And this is the wish that the head of state addresses to the Italians.