I aim to provide jobs for one million Italians. This vocational programme would see Italians venturing into developing countries to trade knowledge and expertise in return for natural resources. The programme is being developed by the Gaetano Salvemini Foundation, and will help open up the Italian economy and relieve our pension system.
In Europe we have forgotten the golden rule: wealth production must start from the ground. It is no longer seen as an option for our youth to take on previously humble but noble professions that previously kept our economy afloat. Now everybody is an idealist in their vision and an intellectual in their thinking; we rely upon an external workforce to fill jobs, and yet we have protests over the lack of employment. It is vital that we Italians embrace these jobs if future generations are to enjoy the benefits of the generous welfare system which has supported us and our children.
My vision for the future of Italy is a nation confident in its production and economic abilities; a nation where our skilled business men and women remain in the country and a nation whose success is encouraged by a fair tax system. In Italy we must explore all possible avenues in order to resolving our economic crisis - the options and merits of leaving the Euro should be debated. We must be given the opportunity to sit at the European negotiating table and shape our own future.
My vision is for all Mediterranean countries to be engaged, working together to lay the foundation of a new Mediterranean Union. I have created a Foundation which proposes to return strength and dignity to those countries currently plagued by war.
The initiative centres around traditional values such as family, but also includes economic factors which are fundamental for ensuring peace in the region. The Foundation envisages a large common market for the regulation of trade amongst the 600 million people who live in Mediterranean countries, regulated by international treaties.
Italy must once again look to the Mediterranean basin as an ideal market for its production, taking a leading and central position in its fast economic growth and demand of goods. Dialogue and solidarity have shaped the history of Mediterranean culture, and must do so again if peace and prosperity are to be restored.
My vision for the future is guided by lessons from history. I believe in learning from the past, by studying the successes and shortcomings of our forefathers. We must not forget these lessons if we are to contain the process of social breakdown and halt the overturn of civilised, peaceful and democratic cooperation between citizens and nations.
My guiding values are family, freedom and justice.
Family is the primary component of social interaction: from early days it forms an incubator for respect, loyalty and solidarity.
I believe in freedom of speech and freedom to pursue our goals in respect of others. Freedom is a word which has been abused and commodified, often for electoral propaganda, but remains a concept which we must pursue tirelessly.
Social justice must be protected and pursued at all costs. Governments can counter social decline by promoting higher standards of equality: a return to traditional values would help to reduce inequalities and conflict. The justice system is in need of urgent reform. In Italy, prisons are overcrowded: inmates are held in inhuman conditions and about 50% of them have been locked up without being convicted of a crime. We need an efficient and fair justice system.
