By Ruža Ristanović
Generali will restore the heart of Venice and at the same time, announced the launch of the global community initiative, The Human Safety Net. The Procuratie Vecchie, Generali’s historic home in Venice, will open its doors following restoration by world-renowned architect David Chipperfield to become the hub of The Human Safety Net. A global movement connecting communities around the world to create a net of „people helping people“.
On October 4th Generali Group announced the global launch of The Human Safety Net, a new flagship initiative to help some of the most vulnerable communities around the world. The launch was organized in the beautiful Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) were Generali Group gathered more than 150 guests from all over the world. It was my pleasure to attend this great event in which on every corner it took our breath.
At the press conference we were addressed by Gabriele Galateridi Genola, Chairman, Philippe Donnet, Group CEO, and Luigi Brugnaro, Mayor of Venice. Philippe Donnet, CEO of Generali Group: said “The beauty of Venice is a source of inspiration for the world, and Generali is very proud to enrich the city’s heritage by restoring the area of Piazza San Marco. By opening the Procuratie Vecchie to the public for the first time in nearly five centuries, we are creating new and vibrant spaces where people can meet to discuss some of today’s most pressing social and global issues.”
Launch of The Human Safety Net
For the first time Procuratie Vecchie was open to the public after more than 500 years, and I was delighted to had opportunity to see this rooms. Gala dinner was organised at Museo Correr, in the grand hall and we were able to see the rooms opened for the first tme after 900 years in the museum. I was impressed by the initiative „The Human Safety Ne“, powered by Generali, which is open to alliances and partnerships with like-minded people and organisations, based on the idea that communities of ‘people helping people’ can bring about sustainable change, creating a positive ripple effect.
Its programmes target key social issues affecting communities where we live and work, including: creating equal life opportunities for children from disadvantaged backgrounds; supporting refugee start-ups; and saving newborns from the debilitating and potentially fatal consequences of asphyxia. All programmes share a common purpose: to unlock the potential of disadvantaged people so they can transform their lives, that of their families and of their communities.
Grand restoration project to reconnect and revitalise Piazza San Marco
Generali will create a home for The Human Safety Net in one of its most prized real estate assets: the Procuratie Vecchie in the iconic Piazza San Marco in Venice. Generali will undertake a unique restoration of the Procuratie Vecchie that will bring together other parts of the square and the Royal Gardens. The Procuratie Vecchie will provide an open door for people to seek inspiration from programmes, exchange ideas, and volunteer to take collective action. The hub will host regular public exhibitions, events and discussions on pressing social and demographic challenges from poverty to migration.
Three programmes
The Human Safety Net for Families promotes equal life chances for children who grow up in poverty and will provide support to 30,000 parents during the first six years of their children’s life. The Human Safety Net for Refugee Start-Ups takes a different approach to the refugee crisis in Europe by empowering refugees to realise their entrepreneurial potential and build livelihoods in their new ‘home’ countries. This programme aims to help refugees to set up 500 new businesses, creating jobs and opportunities for work.
The Human Safety Net for Newborns works with the medical community and parents to improve prevention and treatment for a devastating birth condition called asphyxia. This programme aims to train professionals and equip them with innovative technologies, to help save 1000 lives from this potentially fatal condition.
Generali employees from across the Group submitted over 300 ideas for community projects to The Human Safety Net. The three programmes selected share the common purpose of unlocking the potential of disadvantaged people.
