Civitan Club Italia : Words that Build Citizenship: an evening with Prof. Valeria Della Valle

Civitan Club Italia hosted an important cultural event dedicated to exploring the power of language as a foundation for active citizenship. The initiative, strongly supported by President Adele Mazzotta Lax and made possible through the coordination of Secretary General Serena Angelini Parravicini, placed at its center the idea that words are not neutral tools, but instruments capable of shaping society.

The evening opened with a reflection on Civitan International’s guiding principle—“Let’s build good citizenship!”—highlighting how respectful and conscious language can promote inclusion, responsibility, and civic awareness. According to the Club’s vision, words can unite or divide, heal or harm, and for this reason linguistic awareness is an integral part of building better communities.

Among the invited guests were honorary members and institutional partners such as Saverio Teruzzi (Pistoletto Foundation – Cittadellarte) and Pierluigi Innocenti (President of Assirem), with whom Civitan collaborates on artistic, cultural, social, and health-related projects.

The central moment of the event was the presentation of Prof. Valeria Della Valle, one of Italy’s most respected linguists. Professor Emerita of Italian Linguistics at Sapienza University of Rome and recently appointed member of the Accademia della Crusca, she is a distinguished scholar known for her work on ancient Tuscan texts, neologisms, the language of fascism, and contemporary fiction. Her radio and television contributions, along with her editorial work for Treccani dictionaries, have made her a widely recognized public figure.

Guided by journalist Anna Maria Terremoto, head of cultural affairs for the Club and moderator of the encounter, Prof. Della Valle engaged the audience in an in-depth discussion about the ethical responsibility that accompanies language. She emphasized that citizenship is expressed not only in what we do, but also in how we speak, listen, choose words, and interact. Language shapes relationships and can strengthen democracy when used with awareness and respect.

The event concluded with warm thanks to all contributors, including Treasurer Marcella Tonnarelli Grassetti and Youth Training Coordinator Alessandra Pediconi, whose dedication helped ensure the success of the initiative.

The message that resonated throughout the evening—

“Words matter: let’s use them with respect”—captures the essence of the Club’s cultural mission and its commitment to fostering a more conscious, inclusive, and civically engaged society.