Specials

The regulations still in force foresees an implicit recognition of the associations of emigrants, by which only the associations operating in Sicily from at least three years after the coming into force of the L.R. 1975 n.25 can benefit from the contributions provided by the local authorities.

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Need of a New Regulatory Instrument for the Revival of the Associationism in the World

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They must also be connected to national and foreign organizations and recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This system can only arouse many perplexities.

We don't need to carry on a deep juridical analysis to discover that nowadays the European Union does not require any kind of pregressive experience to the associations willing to acceed community funds to finance their projects. Therefore not only our regulation is obsolete but it also affects and obstacles the application of national law. In fact, despite recent openings to new forms and types of organizations, these associations  monopolize almost all the activities reguarding Sicilians abroad.

The 'historical' associationism has the merit of creating and maintaining a network of contacts abroad. Therefore it certainly constitutes a priceless treasure. However the sense of affiliation to an association rather than another one has often created conflicts among members. Consequentely it has further divided an already fragmented community.

Furthermore, a situation bordering the absurd was created. For years, in fact, the Department had no direct contact with the associations of emigrants operating abroad that for some reason did not join the associations previewed by law.

At this point, in my modest opinion, we should work on a legislative system that provides:

1) The improvement and the strengthening of the relationship between the historical associations and the Sicilian Region in order to increase the value of  the experience and knowledge raccumulated in the field by the associations in about half a century of activity. They deserve the absolute appreciation by the local authority;

2) The institutionalization of the relationship between the local authority and the associations localized abroad, which by now does not exist almost;

3) The creation of a sector-based register of associations divided into a 'Sicily section' and an 'Overseas section';

4) The creation of a system providing the financing of projects destined to communities abroad. They should be chosen for their content rather than for their promoters.

* This text is the abstract of the paper presented by dr. Pio Guida to the conference "Memories of the Future" (Palermo, 28-29 November 2008)