Institutional relations at an international level can act as a driving force: one that activates shared development paths between different countries, to the benefit of their respective communities.

In this sense, the Memorandum of Understanding between Lombardy and Victoria is particularly important.

It was signed by the President of Lombardy, Attilio Fontana, during a visit from the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau, who was in Milan on October 3 at Palazzo Lombardia as a part of the institutional prerogatives of the head of the state of Victoria.

The Memorandum of Understanding between Lombardy and Victoria will facilitate strategic collaboration between relevant sectors, listed by Governor Dessau:

“The manufacturing sector, the circular economy, technological innovation, but also design and the creative industry are the areas in which we know we can start a close collaboration. The agreement is therefore an important first step.”

“It opens up an extensive and strong partnership from which great opportunities for the economic development of Victoria and Lombardy can arise,” the governor reiterated.

It was also a moment of great importance, in general, for relations between Italy and Australia, which Consul General of Italy in Melbourne Hannah Pappalardo spoke about with Rete Italia, retracing the various steps that led to the initialling of the protocol:

“The first steps of this initiative were taken in September 2019 when a delegate from the Lombardy Region, the then Head of International Affairs, came to Australia on an assignment. These were the circumstances in which the parameters of what later became the important protocol signed in Milan last October 3 were first discussed.”

"This is a great leap forward. There are already many collaborative protocols in place, all of diverse and important impact, but I feel I can say that there hasn’t yet been anything between Italy and Australia of this quality and intensity," stressed Consul Pappalardo.

What stands out in this specific case, in addition to the instrument of the Memorandum of Understanding, is according to Pappalardo:

 “The opportunity offered to two players, decidedly significant in their own contexts, to get together to do a lot, and do it very well, in the future.”

In addition to the protagonists, a Region like Lombardy, which drives Italy’s economy, and a State like Victoria, which occupies a prominent place in the Australian economic and institutional system, the structure of the protocol itself is also of particular value. As the Consul pointed out:

"It contains a roadmap that, for each of the areas of cooperation that have been identified, dictates the operational timetable to make something really effective which, otherwise, would risk remaining only on paper.”

The Consulate of Italy in Melbourne, led by Consul Hanna Pappalardo, intends to prioritise working collaboratively with all those who have worked to achieve the signing of this protocol, first and foremost, with the Government of Victoria.

In terms of sectors of cooperation, seven have been identified in the protocol, namely the general theme of sustainable economic recovery and growth, the waste management and circular economy sector, agriculture and food industries, defence and aerospace, cultural and creative industries, sports, vocational training and higher technological education.

"The sports sector, in particular, unites two entities that will be protagonists of major world events: in 2026, in fact, Lombardy will host the important event of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, and Victoria will be the host State of the Commonwealth Games,” stressed Consul Pappalardo.

Many expectations, especially at a community level, accompany these moments of institutional collaboration at the international level, and one wonders what the real-world impact of these agreements will be:

“What has happened, and what will happen, calls into question a concept that is too often considered purely theoretical and generic, which is that of the 'Italian System',” the Consul acknowledged.

“I feel I can say that in this case, there has instead been real teamwork. Certainly there was an interested party, namely the Lombardy Region, but also the assistance of the diplomatic authority on both sides.

“Not only in Australia, where the Consulate General of Melbourne, in very close collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Canberra, found a punctual level of support and collaboration from the office of the Premier of Victoria and, in the final stages, from the Governor's office. There was also support from the Australian authorities operating in Italy, from AusTrade, which is based in London but competent for Italy, to the wonderful Consul General of Australia in Milan, with whom we worked very closely.”

In order to make this agreement a concrete reality, however, a constant commitment will be required from all of the key players of the Italian community in Melbourne:

"In this necessary and fundamental phase, which is the one in which this text must be given substance and content, we are counting on the support of important institutional players. I would like, in this regard, to recall the role of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne, which has renewed its leadership with a new president, Lou Farinotti, and a new general secretary, Veronica Misciattelli,” the Consul continued, not without a hint of pride and optimism.

“As a woman I can only be particularly pleased to see, for the first time, another woman at the helm of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Melbourne, and I am convinced that we will be able to work very well together.”

Not only the Chamber of Commerce, but also the other institutions of the Italian community, from the Italian Institute of Culture to Co.As.It., Comites, and all of the other associations of the community, will be able to play a leading role in the concrete development of the protocol signed between Victoria and Lombardy:

"One of the priorities of my mandate is to make all of the players of the 'Italian System' work together in the best possible way,” said Pappalardo.

If it is successful, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on strategic collaboration between the Lombardy Region and Victoria could set a precedent, and perhaps be replicated with other regions to further strengthen the link between Italy and Australia.

At this point, as Consul Pappalardo pointed out to Rete Italia, "seeing that 'the sky's the limit', it's up to us to make the most of this great opportunity."