Riace fascinates Vienna, Uganda’s minimum wage, Solar panel boom in India

Edizione del 20 luglio 2017

RIACE BECOMES A MODEL FOR WELCOMING MIGRANTS, FASCINATES VIENNA

The Calabrian village of Riace has become a model for welcoming migrants, as it succeeded in bringing new life to an ancient settlement and in defeating prejudices. Its experience is at the core of the exhibition ‘The Mayor and the Future City’ presented in Vienna this month. Already exhibited at the last Venice Biennale, the images captured by the Italian photographer Gianfranco Ferraro tell the commitment of Mayor Domenico Lucano: hundreds of refugees from more than 20 countries have been welcomed in Riace since 2004.

MIGRANTS COLLECT WASTE ON THE SHORES OF THE ARNO RIVER

Hundreds of migrants will collect waste and clean up the shores of the Arno River and the nearby torrents in the Florence area. After a first experiment, which allowed to collect a tonne and a half of waste, this time the project will involve young people from Central Africa and Asia. Migrants are expected to work for three months after having attended specialized courses. The initiative will be coordinated by the Consortium of Reclamation Medio Valdarno, in agreement with the Region of Tuscany.

OBSERVATORY FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM FOR NEW SEASON OF DIALOGUE

A new Observatory for Religious Freedom, set up with a ceremony held at the Italian ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to guarantee minorities and respect for all beliefs. The organization is supported by the civil society, academics and experts. According to Giampiero Massolo, president of the ISPI istitute, the Observatory main goal is to defeat “extremism and politicization of the relationship with the other” and “to focus on young people for a new season of dialogue”.

UGANDA LATEST AFRICAN COUNTRY TO INTRODUCE MINIMUM SALARY BY LAW

The Uganda government has set up a commission charged with studying a minimum wage law. According to the local news reports, the threshold is likely to be set at 136,000 shillings, about 30 euros. It would be a step forward for laborers, domestic workers and manufacture workers, but it would not scare entrepreneurs. In South Africa, another country that is about to approve a similar law, the minimum monthly might be set at 3500 rand, 235 euros.

INDIA, SOLAR PANELS ON ROOFTOPS DOUBLED IN JUST ONE YEAR

The surface of the roofs of the buildings covered with solar panels has doubled in India in just one year. Official estimates indicate that as of today some 1396 megawatts of installed capacity are available. Demand for solar panels is fueled by the States of Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka, which alone account for 40 per cent of the national energy production from photovoltaics.