Italian language and culture in the United States: at Palazzo Firenze an agreement has been signed between Società Dante Alighieri and NIAF – National Italian American Foundation 

ROME, ITALY (March 10, 2025) – On Monday, March 10^th, at 11:30 a.m. at Palazzo Firenze, headquarters of the Società Dante Alighieri (Piazza di Firenze n. 27 – Rome), the President of the Società Dante Alighieri Andrea Riccardi and the President of NIAF (National Italian American Foundation) Robert Allegrini signed an agreement between the two institutions for joint actions related to Italian language and culture in the United States.

“We live in a world where people shout and lie very easily,” states President Andrea Riccardi, “and here Italian must continue to be a language that educates: to communicate, to speak, and to reason. This is particularly important today, when knowing how to reason and how to speak is indispensable. We,” he concludes, “do not want to impose a way of thinking but to remind, also with the important agreement we are signing today with the NIAF Foundation, that Italian is a language with a universal perspective and that, for the children of emigrants and ‘Italsympathizers,’ Italian is felt as a language of the future.”

“The Italian language,” continues President Robert Allegrini, “is a language of culture and everyone should know that there is a great desire from Italian American communities to reclaim their language, even if it has been somewhat lost over the years. Italian American ‘immigrants’ and their children, thanks to this agreement with the Società Dante Alighieri, will be able to reconnect with their language. This agreement,” he concludes, “is important because it creates a foundation of opportunities for Italian Americans and their ‘Italian children’ to learn our beautiful mother tongue: Italian.”

The Agreement
The agreement focuses on teaching Italian online through the digital platform www.dante.global, a cutting-edge tool for offering courses in phygital format (physical and digital) that accompanies Italian courses in hybrid classrooms, all according to the Dante.global teaching methodology. The agreement will also include actions for teacher training and professional development, the granting of joint scholarships, and the promotion of Italian culture through events and initiatives, including those of a scientific nature. All this in support of made in Italy and the promotion of Italian business culture among Italian communities, founded by emigrants, who have contributed to America’s growth. During the ceremony, the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium, a strategic partner of the project, was represented by President Nicola Bertinelli.

Data
The teaching of Italian in the United States is aimed at a potential pool of 20 million Italian Americans, represented by NIAF. Since its foundation (1975), NIAF has already awarded over 10 million dollars in scholarships. Each year, it allocates one million dollars to promoting Italy and its culture, including business culture. With the annual “Region of Honor” project, NIAF also identifies an Italian region of excellence for tourism and economic development (in 2025, Lazio was chosen, also because of the Jubilee). NIAF collaborates with the White House and the United States Congress and welcomes to its Gala each year, from the United States and Italy, 1,200 prominent people in political, financial, and cultural areas and distinguished Italian Americans.

The Società Dante Alighieri, since 1889, has been spreading Italian language and culture and promoting the Italian System. It provides training and professional development for teachers, Italian courses online (on www.dante.global) and in person, thanks to its worldwide network that includes 370 Committees abroad, 142,000 members, 270 PLIDA exam centers that certify linguistic competence in Italian, 104 Literary Outposts with libraries that promote the Italian publishing industry, and 40 schools associated with ADASIM. Among activities with businesses, two meetings “From brand to language” and various international Congresses under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, with interlocutors ranging from the Presidency of the Council of Ministers to the Vatican State Secretariat, from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Economic Development and Tourism to SACE, from Confindustria to Chiesi Pharmaceuticals, and then Enel, Eni, the Adriano Olivetti Foundation, Prada, UBI Bank and many others.

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CONTACT:
NIAF:
Gabriella Mileti
Director of Special Programs and PR
202-939-3116
gmileti@niaf.org

Barabino and Partners USA:
Marco Lastrico
Partner – CEO
212-308-8710
m.lastrico@barabinousa.com

About NIAF
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes the Italian culture and heritage. Founded in 1975, NIAF has been a leading advocate for Italian Americans, preserving their legacy and promoting their contributions to the United States.  For more information visit NIAF.org.

About Società Dante Alighieri
Founded in 1889, Società Dante Alighieri is a prestigious cultural institution dedicated to promoting Italian language and culture worldwide through a global network of 370 committees in over 80 countries, 142,000 members, and 270 PLIDA examination centers. Operating under the High Patronage of the President of the Italian Republic, the Società offers innovative language courses through its Dante.global platform, maintains 104 Literary Outposts and 40 schools in the ADASIM network, while collaborating with key Italian governmental institutions and businesses to foster cultural diplomacy and economic cooperation, serving as the primary ambassador for Italian cultural heritage and linguistic excellence for over 135 years.  For more information, visit www.dante.global.