July 9 – “Between the Western world and the Middle East there are more similarities than you think, especially in terms of solidarity in favor of underprivileged children,” affirms the founder of the non-profit organization Angels, Benedetta Paravia, at the end of a solidarity ceremony in the UAE, during which she was officially appointed ambassador to the International Educational Center ‘Al Noor.’ The Center, based in Dubai, is dedicated to children with disabilities and was established by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Sheikh of Dubai, interceding for his wife, Princess Haya of Jordan. The Centre hosts local and international children (until the age of 18), who are cared for every day and who are taught a particular job, with the aim of facilitating their integration into the labor market. The Gala took place at the Atlantis hotel on the artificial island The Palm to the presence of many Italian and international personalities, including Italian Consul Giovanni Favilli, the cultural attaché of the Embassy of Italy in Abu Dhabi, Alessandra Priante, the Grand Officer Vittorio Paravia, and lawyer Carlo Maccallini. “Initiatives such as these strengthen international links and are able to increase the number actions carried out in the name of solidarity, regardless of country and religion of origin,” concluded Paravia. The event was sponsored by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, new Minister of Culture of the United Arab Emirates.