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THE FOUNDATION

Established in December 1990, the Foundation “Montagna e Europa” has the aim of supporting the dialogue and public awareness related to European, national and regional policies targeted to mountain areas. Over the years has acquired prestige and appreciation, because of the numerous and qualified research initiatives and investigation activities. Through its Scientific Board it has actually published several studies, statistic researches and regulation proposals for a sustainable mountain areas growth with specific attention to key themes as socio-economic growth and institutional reforms of particular interest to the mountain areas.

The Foundation, through a cultural movement that finds its roots “from below”, aims to promote conditions that will make it possible to achieve an effective self-government of the people of mountain, starting from the recognition of the specific characteristics that distinguish them and with the aim of integrating the best companies and the mountain economy with the national and European level.

Over the years the Foundation has played an important role in deepening the role of trans border communities in the Alpine Cooperation, with particular reference to the Italian-Austrian side, even before the latter country became part of the European Union and the European Union itself would promote initiatives aimed at inter-regional and trans-European collaboration.

In 2002, International Year of Mountain Areas, the Foundation “Montagna e Europa” issued a call-manifesto entitled “Good governance of the mountain areas” to the representatives of local institutions, by promoting subsidiary between the Region, the State and the European Union, with the aim of enhancing the effectiveness of civil and social rights of the inhabitants of mountainous areas, guardians of a unique environment of universal value.

ARNALDO COLLESELLI

Arnaldo Colleselli, an exemplary politician and administrator was born in Colle Saint Lucia, in September the 2nd, 1918 when the village of the High Agordino was still dominated by the Hapsburg Empire.

The youngest of nine children, Colleselli attended the Gymnasium in Bressanone and completed his high school studies in Bolzano, then subscribe to the Catholic University of Milan, where he graduated in literature, with honors, in 1940.

In Bassano del Grappa fulfill military obligations, earning a nomination as lieutenant of the Alpini, the black hat with the penalty for Colleselli was a source of pride and pride for the rest of his life.

During the Second World War Colleselli fighting on the Western Front, and once the war ended became Professor of Italian and Latin at the grammar school of Belluno.

Colleselli choose to join the Resistance, becoming active for the formation of the brigade Agordino “Val Cordevole” and collaborating with Catholic leaders Belluno looking for conections with the rest of the Veneto.

Arrested by the Germans in December 1944, was brought in Bolzano being moved right after to a German lager with other political prisoners, when a bombardment destroyed the convoy destined for the transfer and irreparably damaged the railway line. Fortunately, the war ended by a little later and Colleselli back to civilian life, taking on behalf of the provincial CNL, the function of Head of Office at the Prefecture.

He came back to teaching in Belluno high school, with the serenity of one who knows he has done his duty, pushed not by ideology, but only love for freedom and a deep sense of justice.

Although he had known closely the Hapsburg mentality, steeped in populations of South Tyrol, his feelings of Italian belonging and his devotion to the country were out of the question. This is demonstrated when, with the war, in some municipalities, including Cortina and Colle S. Lucy sneaks a secessionist attempt and he opposed to a will that was not intended to perspectives of autonomy and self-government, but that fed exclusively spirit of anti-Italian unthinkable and intolerable.

Participation in the political life sees Arnaldo Colleselli member of Christian Democrats, holding key positions from the very beginning.

In 1951 he was appointed Provincial Assessor with competence for social services, in particular by developing the sector maternity and childhood. In the mid-fifties accepted the chairmanship of the Civil Hospital of Belluno. He had the satisfaction of seeing the medical block inaugurated the new complex before having to leave the presidency because it called to be part of the National Government as Minister of Agriculture and Forests.

Was elected deputy of the Italian National Government in 1958. He never failed opportunity to draw attention to the need to dedicate to the Italian mountains special legislation.

Passed the Senate, continued in its efforts to promote mountain fighting to integrate the law 1102/71, but that still did not solve the underlying problems, which he believed only be faced with an ‘Testo Unico’ for upland areas. He was convinced that with the details and precise the Italian mountains could have reached sufficient development to avoid depopulation and to ensure the presence of man to environmental protection and defense of the territory, in pursuit of this goal even when he was elected to the European Parliament, landing Belluno natural for a long time felt that a European citizen, convinced supporter of solidarity without borders between its citizens.

Always working around problems in mountain came to pass in 1983 the European resolution that bears his name, which was derived from a series of measures aimed at revitalizing agriculture and related activities in the area of ​​the Dolomites in the Veneto region, then condensed measures in EU Regulation 1401 of 1986.

Arnaldo Colleselli has been an invaluable political representative who made a significant contribution to the development and growth of mountains areas in general, and the Belluno Province in particular.