Civil Protection Pathways: A Village to Discover the National Service
October 15-18 in Rome, at Villa Borghese
From October 15 to 18, Piazza di Siena, located within Villa Borghese in Rome, will host the Civil Protection Pathways themed village, where visitors can discover firsthand the organizations and institutions that make up Italy’s National Civil Protection Service. The initiative, inaugurated by President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, is being promoted by the Civil Protection Department for the second consecutive year, as part of the eighth edition of National Civil Protection Week.
Over the four days, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can explore exhibition areas set up by the Department, the Regions and Autonomous Provinces, volunteer organizations, and scientific competence centres. They can also take part in demonstrations, hands-on exercises, and talks. A dedicated area will showcase K-9 units, drone-assisted area monitoring, and rescue operations in challenging environments.
At the heart of Civil Protection Pathways are activities focused on risk forecasting and prevention, rescue operations, and public assistance. These include a particular focus on health-related aspects, the use of telecommunications during emergencies, civil protection communication, including podcasts and comic books, and the importance of accessibility and inclusion, which must be taken into account from the planning stage onwards.
Dedicated training and educational activities have been organized for middle and high school students, including preparatory sessions to help them get ready for the event. Similarly, students from Rome’s three universities have been invited to attend science-focused lectures delivered in collaboration with the network of competence centres. Young people are a key audience for the event, which also aims to raise awareness of the crucial role of volunteering as a valuable resource for Italy, providing both specialized expertise and operational capabilities.
A wide-ranging program of events and presentations is planned, including a ceremony on Saturday, October 17, to award civil protection merits to volunteer organizations that distinguished themselves in providing assistance to the public during the COVID-19 pandemic.