Paolo and the graduates of the University of Solidarity, where one learns to help others

UNIVERSITY OF SOLIDARITY –

University courses, workshops, and internships put the theory learned behind the classroom into practice. The format is the same as at universities around the world, but the lessons teach subjects aimed at training professionals capable of directly addressing the main critical issues facing the local community . This is precisely the aim of the University of Volunteering in Trieste , which this year taught 30 students not only how to best manage surplus food, but also how to assist non-self-sufficient elderly people or those experiencing financial hardship with income support projects. Paolo Maschio, for example, has a background as a manager in large companies, but has always managed to carve out time for volunteering . Thanks to this unique university, he has developed a project to provide in-home support for non-self-sufficient elderly people and their families. "I wanted to delve deeper," he stated in a recent interview with Redattore Sociale , "into the management of recurring issues in the assistance and consultancy services provided to members of Federmanager Treviso and Belluno, exploring possible future solutions based on respect for the dignity of individuals."

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SOCIAL NEEDS OF THE TERRITORY –

Like Paolo, there are 29 other students, some of whom are older, who have decided to take on the challenge by competing in a wide variety of fields . Three of them, for example, have completed internships in the fields of migrant reception and poverty, while others have studied to acquire the skills needed to better develop their own charitable organizations. The University of Treviso is one of five universities supported by the Volunteer Service Centers in five cities (the others are Milan, Bologna, Salerno, and Cosenza) . Thirty graduates at the Veneto university: 10 from Ca' Foscari, 5 aspiring citizen volunteers, and 15 active volunteers. All were able to attend 170 hours of classes thanks to the commitment of 31 teachers: including 10 university professors (plus two administrative staff) volunteering at Ca' Foscari. After the training period, the students completed a volunteer internship of at least 20 hours at the same number of local organizations.

SOLIDARITY PROJECTS IN THE TERRITORY –

Like Paolo, other students have launched very interesting projects. Marino Fraccaro, for example, at 56, stepped up his game by starting a writing and graphic editing workshop within the Treviso juvenile detention center . Anna Corò, 59, has dedicated herself to networking on the topic of poverty and has become a tutor for two people experiencing financial hardship and personal vulnerability through an income support project. These are positive stories of those who choose to return to school to learn how to best help others.

The photos are taken from the Ca' Foscari Sostenibile Facebook page

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