He succeedes Ludovico Carlo Camussi, who reached the end of his four-year term in office midway through December of last year.
Napolitano met with President of Com.It.Es. QLD & NT Mariangela Stagnitti on January 11, to discuss planned projects and initiatives for the Italian community for 2019.
Stagnitti, who as of January 1, 2019, has also taken on a coordinating role as President of Inter Com.It.Es., illustrated to Napolitano the planned activities of Com.It.Es. for the year, which included continuing information seminars for newly arrived Italians in Australia, opening a possible sportello informativo to provide information to Italian migrants outside of consulate hours, drafting an information flyer for new arrivals which includes a map of the important and informative places in Brisbane and assisting in the organisation of an art exhibition with an artist from Italy.
Stagnitti emphasised that this year Com.It.Es. plans to increase information services and assistance to South American Italians in Brisbane, who often arrive with an Italian passport but without qualification for healthcare in Australia.
Australia does not hold a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement with South America, but maintains one with Italy.
Napolitano congratulated Com.It.Es. on its proactive attitude toward the new Italian generations and older Italian community.
He then presented the program of cultural promotion activities outlined by the ministry for 2019 and coordinated by the Italian Embassy in Canberra, with Brisbane highlight being La Settimana del Vivere all’Italiana, a week proposed by Ambassador of Italy to Australia Stefano Gatti.
The week will promote Italian culture, gastronomy and the excellence of the country.
Stagnitti proved enthusiastic about supporting this project.
She described Napolitano, who previously held a position at the Italian Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as “very proactive” with “lots of projects” to bring to the table.
