Emergency, an Italian case of alternative Diplomacy making.

This post aims to explore the connection that subsists between Emergency and Italian public and cultural diplomacy.

First of all, Emergency is an Italian-based Non Governmental Organisation that since 1994 deals with health issues in countries affected by war and social disorder. Mostly it has to do with the construction of health infrastructures (ranging from general hospital to more specialised centres such as surgical ones) and with the providing of medical assistance. Thanks to its operate, it is supposed to further an image of solidarity. It functions worldwide, it then contributes to the building of the Italian image on a global-scale. Emergency is finalised to the creation of a global culture of peace.

The means through which the NGO attempts to achieve its ends are not exclusively health related, but also are represented by a series of public activities made of conferences, seminars, workshops, etc. Emergency, for the sake of spreading its educative message, uses to participate to many demonstrations and protests organised by the anti-globalisation movement. For instance, you could easily see members of the association marching in the streets of Genoa during the no-G8 protests in 2001. This underlines the fact that Emergency is really concerned about its pubic image in order to promote its mission of peace.

As far as public image is concerned, Mr Gino Strada, founder of Emergency, plays an extremely significant role. Gino is in fact a popular figure in the Italian public scenery, and day by day is gaining importance and recognition as well on the international scene. Mr Strada is so popular because of his strong personality and charisma. He is conscious of this, therefore he attempts to take advantage and use the fashion of his own image for the cause of the NGO in particular, and of global peace more in general.

In light of this, it can be said that Emergency has an extremely influential image. However, its diplomatic function goes well beyond that one of being simply a cultural agent. It sometimes plays quasi-governmental functions too. For instance, in the case of Daniele Mastrogiacomo’s kidnapping (2006) Emergency was recognised by the Talibans as the only legitimate intermediary. Where the institutional Italian government could not arrive, Emergency could. This represents an extraordinary case of alternative diplomacy.