Polis - The city of Scout

"My son, leave this country." The letter from the rector of Luiss Pier Luigi Celli published a few days ago of the Republic has provoked extreme reactions of support or condemnation. The same President Giorgio Napolitano said on his urging young people not to lose confidence in the future of the country and not to flee abroad.

But among the responses, probably the one that made more noise than was that of Benedetta Tobagi, daughter of Walter, the journalist killed by the Red Brigades. Of note, in particular, this passage:

The letter is based on the assumption that Celli now the alternative is to resign in disgust or escape and save themselves. Not so. The "gray passions," as he calls Remo Bodei (honesty, honor, respect of self and other, do their job well, do not accept corruption and intimidation) are not dead. Turning to Italy, especially attending the circuit "invisible" cultural associations, or poles of a network as "Free", you meet so many people working, and very well, especially with boys , to create antibodies to a situation that too many seemingly hopeless situations.

For this Panorama.it wanted to ask those who work every day to work with young people in volunteering his opinion on the controversy.

For example, the leaders of the movement in Italy Scout, the CNGEI of secular ' AGESCI Catholic, who, with their total of 180 thousand members of the associations are more present in Italy and more active in educating youth.

Carmel Scalfari, 48 year old lawyer, is president of CNGEI few days and says that the words of Celli also be heard: "Celli says a lie, the young must seek ways to develop and often the land does not provide the opportunities, especially the South, "says" but the common feeling of resignation is to be condemned. Scouting teaches the importance of first-person, learning by doing, not turning his head away. "

A position similar to that of the presidents of the National Committee AGESCI Stroppiana Paola and Alberto Fantuzzo: "There is no doubt that in many environments, to" succeed "is to be socially unacceptable compromises often. Scouting offers young people the challenge of going against current choice, freedom and consistency, what kind of adults they want to be. "

In short, the problem has deeper roots that sink in 'education and values ​​in which a young ambition: "To us a successful life is not measured by the amount of money you can accumulate or social position or role power is reached, but on the fact that he could really express and utilize their skills and quality, I did it for the good of all and at the same time, he had been able to build meaningful relationships with people and vital encounter, "says Fantuzzo.

"Young people are better than paint them," says Scalfari, "the fact that it failed engagement in politics does not mean that there is a commitment to service to others, affirming values ​​that often sound policy now he can not express. " Volunteering has replaced the politics? "We believe" meet the leaders AGESCI "which is the instrument through which to make a real policy, in the high sense of the term. It is not unusual, however, that the experience of service some boys and girls, now adults, become more available to the political itself. There are indeed many scouts in the ranks of councilors, mayors (in Florence, Matteo Renzi, for example). "

But how can an old method of 102 years (the first field of Lord Baden Powell was held in 1907 at Brownsea ) talk to adolescents today, All Facebook and text messages? Stroppiana responds: "The boys and girls, today as 100 years ago, wishing to be heard, they need and give them confidence, they want to live concrete experiences that were created and stars; need not buddies, but of people that together they want to dirty their hands ". For Scalfari the secret of longevity of Scouting is its simplicity: "At first you may look with suspicion because they prefer to stay home in front of the Playstation, but they are always difficulties are overcome. Of course the banks must be the parents who must be motivated to encourage their children ".

Paradoxically, even inviting them to leave the country. Because the important thing is not to give ...

Emanuele Rossi (Panorama)