The first Multistakeholder meeting took place in Sicily (Italy) Each partner is responsible, at the national level, for the organisation of a face-to-face or online meeting involving some key stakeholders, such as: experts in the youth field, Criminal Justice System,
grassroots stakeholders, policy makers and other interested parts. The objective of these multi-stakeholder hearings is to create space
for constructive dialogue between key stakeholders. Thus, these events will be a great occasion for sharing The VOICE Action results, debating issues related with the participation of disadvantaged young people/ young people deprived of their liberty in promoting
their communities’ security and European civic life.
Today we will give you an insight from the event implemented in Italy, organized and coordinated by our Italian partner, A Rocca. It took place on the 16th of February in Jalari Park Museum. The venue welcomed five guests coming from different fields of work that are in any way related to the penitentiary system.
A psychiatrist and the former “V.Madia” director, Nunziante Rosania, Rosanna Casabona, a deputy public prosecutor DDA, Romina Taiani, the director of ‘Vittorio Madia’ prison, Giuseppina Fazio a legal/pedagogical officer, and finally Rosa Ellena Alizzi a lawyer. Each of them have presented their occupation and role related to the prison field. During the conference, youngsters had the opportunity to ask, the professional concerned, their questions. Together they discussed subjects such as youth, prisons, juvenile justice, social and labor reintegration. Indeed, it was an open discussion, between the young people and these experienced professionals, fueled by questions as interesting as each other. Here is an example of a question that has been tackled during the meeting: Could common European legislation help to break down certain barriers and facilitate the social reintegration of ex-prisoners? This type of questioning allowed the stakeholders to find out more about young people’s interrogations about the European system. It also allowed these young people to get information from people with experience in their field, which was very rewarding.
At the end of this discussion, the audience was able to express themselves on an interactive platform. There were a lot of positive impressions received. Touching, human, inspiring, educational, engaging, and intense were their thoughts right after the conference. Through the participation of professionals and students along with their teachers, the awareness was successfully raised among the youngsters. Moreover, they are now, more than ever, conscious about problems that prisoners or people with fewer opportunities face with European policies. Letting youngsters’ voices be heard by creating a positive and real impact is one of our multiple aims with “The Voice Action” project.
