#erasmusvote by
garagErasmus
to refund travel costs of Italian Erasmus students on occasion of the elections in Italy
Pisa, 30 January 2013
garagErasmus has set up an iniative called #erasmusvote to gather funds to reimburse Erasmus students for their travel to Italy on occasion of the national political elections to be held in February.
Italian law in fact allows citizens who are abroad to vote, but only if they have resided in another country for at least 12 months, meaning Erasmus students are not eligible.
There are almost 25,000 Italian Erasmus students abroad at present, and for the first time in 25 years, they have spoken up to protest on social networks, grab the attention of the media, and send a letter to the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano.
The Italian Government met to examine the question, but concluded that it was not possible, in the very short time before the elections, to find a solution that would allow the Erasmus students to vote abroad rather than in their own city or town.
garagErasmus, which has the mission of giving voice to the Erasmus generation in all of Europe, has decided to give a concrete contribution by setting up an initiative financed by sponsors. It asks others to contribute as well in order to make the trip home to vote possible for at least 1,000 students. KPMG, one of the principle networks of professional services for enterprises at a global level, a leader in the organisation and revision of accounts, managerial consulting and administrative fiscal and legal services; and Potenza & Partners of Milan, a group of chartered accountants specialising in assisting a national and international clientele, have already come forward to give a concrete financial contribution.
garagErasmus will give 100 euros to the first 50 students who show they fulfill the requirements, from Tuesday, 5 February to Sunday, 10 February. If more than 50 qualified students request support, there will be a drawing to determine who will receive the 100 euro reimbursement. The Erasmus Student Network, an international association that supports the mobility of Erasmus students across Europe, will spread the news of this initiative within its own network.
“This is a symbolic gesture, but also a concrete contribution," declares Francesco Cappè, co- founder and Executive President of garagErasmus, "and Europe today cannot wait. The mission of our Foundation is to bring Erasmus students together, after their experience of study abroad, in order to facilitate entrepreneurship and development of initiatives. But we think that in this phase we must do something to underline the fundamental principle according to which Erasmus is a project that truly aims to build European citizenship. This cannot mean that Erasmus students are denied the right to full citizenship, which means voting in the elections in their own country, as risks being impossible on this occasion in Italy."
“Young people are the future and we believe in young people. In particular Erasmus students bring the benefit of their special understanding and sensitivity as citizens of the world, and they constitute a resource for our country," explains Claudio Mariani, a KPMGPartner and university professor. "We have decide to give a tangible contribution to remove the obstacles, and we participate in this initiative with enthusiasm. Participation, passion (including civic passion) and the creation of opportunity are ideas that are completely aligned with KPMG's values.”
“It is with great pleasure that we participate and contribute to this garagErasmus project," declares Vito Potenza, partner in Potenza & Partners and university professor. "It is an intiative that places young people at the centre, in their fundamental role as leaders in society. Erasmus students are building their future thanks to a unique, formative, and very enriching experience, and we think it is important to valorise their contribution to our county's future."
Click here to se the procedure of the operation (in Italian)
Italian law in fact allows citizens who are abroad to vote, but only if they have resided in another country for at least 12 months, meaning Erasmus students are not eligible.
There are almost 25,000 Italian Erasmus students abroad at present, and for the first time in 25 years, they have spoken up to protest on social networks, grab the attention of the media, and send a letter to the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano.
The Italian Government met to examine the question, but concluded that it was not possible, in the very short time before the elections, to find a solution that would allow the Erasmus students to vote abroad rather than in their own city or town.
garagErasmus, which has the mission of giving voice to the Erasmus generation in all of Europe, has decided to give a concrete contribution by setting up an initiative financed by sponsors. It asks others to contribute as well in order to make the trip home to vote possible for at least 1,000 students. KPMG, one of the principle networks of professional services for enterprises at a global level, a leader in the organisation and revision of accounts, managerial consulting and administrative fiscal and legal services; and Potenza & Partners of Milan, a group of chartered accountants specialising in assisting a national and international clientele, have already come forward to give a concrete financial contribution.
garagErasmus will give 100 euros to the first 50 students who show they fulfill the requirements, from Tuesday, 5 February to Sunday, 10 February. If more than 50 qualified students request support, there will be a drawing to determine who will receive the 100 euro reimbursement. The Erasmus Student Network, an international association that supports the mobility of Erasmus students across Europe, will spread the news of this initiative within its own network.
“This is a symbolic gesture, but also a concrete contribution," declares Francesco Cappè, co- founder and Executive President of garagErasmus, "and Europe today cannot wait. The mission of our Foundation is to bring Erasmus students together, after their experience of study abroad, in order to facilitate entrepreneurship and development of initiatives. But we think that in this phase we must do something to underline the fundamental principle according to which Erasmus is a project that truly aims to build European citizenship. This cannot mean that Erasmus students are denied the right to full citizenship, which means voting in the elections in their own country, as risks being impossible on this occasion in Italy."
“Young people are the future and we believe in young people. In particular Erasmus students bring the benefit of their special understanding and sensitivity as citizens of the world, and they constitute a resource for our country," explains Claudio Mariani, a KPMGPartner and university professor. "We have decide to give a tangible contribution to remove the obstacles, and we participate in this initiative with enthusiasm. Participation, passion (including civic passion) and the creation of opportunity are ideas that are completely aligned with KPMG's values.”
“It is with great pleasure that we participate and contribute to this garagErasmus project," declares Vito Potenza, partner in Potenza & Partners and university professor. "It is an intiative that places young people at the centre, in their fundamental role as leaders in society. Erasmus students are building their future thanks to a unique, formative, and very enriching experience, and we think it is important to valorise their contribution to our county's future."
Click here to se the procedure of the operation (in Italian)
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