On October 1st, the presidency of the UNESCO Dolomites Foundation passed to the Autonomous Province of Trento, in accordance with the system of rotation set out in our Statute. For the next three years, Trentino councillor Mario Tonina will serve as president, succeeding Graziano Pizzimenti, regional councillor for Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Teamwork
President Tonina’s opening words were about the importance of teamwork: “As I already explained at the Foundation’s Council meeting, I will be focusing on this. Teamwork has been an important aspect of our first ten years.” Mr. Tonina was alluding not only to the route towards UNESCO recognition, and to the development of the Overall Management Strategy, but also to the daily work of consultation conducted by members of the Foundation.
Future generations
As Mr. Tonina explained: “UNESCO has recognised something that is a great value to us, and we have the responsibility of passing it on to future generations. We must increasingly turn to our schools. Much has been achieved in these ten years, as the facts demonstrate. Now we need to feel even more committed, and to work together.”
We need to bring this recognition into our everyday lives
Mr. Tonina was speaking at the third Dolomites UNESCO Forum, held at the Sesto Pusteria Conference Centre on September 30th. During his address, he touched on one of the most important issues for the present and future of the Dolomites: ensuring that the UNESCO recognition is increasingly regarded and experienced as added value by the local population. As he explained: “I certainly see positive signs, such as the 66 mountain hut managers within the Dolomite region, who are increasing their collaboration across borders thanks to the work of the Foundation. I would like people to finally realise the exceptional quality of the Heritage they have in their safekeeping, and to help promote this excellence at every level. For example, this means ensuring that high quality farm products from the Dolomites can access supply chains in the hospitality sector.”