BackThe 45th Anniversary of Civic Defense was celebrated on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the Lazio Regional Council with the support of the IOI.
The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the history, role, and future prospects of this institutional figure, a reference point for the protection of citizens' rights and a guarantor of administrative transparency.
“Today we celebrate not just an anniversary, but a daily commitment to serving citizens,” stated Marino Fardelli, Civic Defender of the Lazio Region and President of the National Coordination of Civic Defenders of Italian Regions and Autonomous Provinces, opening the proceedings.
“Seeing the enthusiasm of the young people present is a sign that civic defense is not something distant, but is alive, concrete, and part of everyone's civic education. It is an institution that often works silently but produces fundamental results.”
During the ceremony, which saw the presence of students from the De Merode Institute and the Liceo Manara of Rome, the role of the Civic Defender was highlighted not only as an institutional figure but also as a promoter of civic values and active participation.
The President of the Lazio Regional Council, Antonio Aurigemma, recalled how “in a world where bureaucracy and administrative mechanisms often appear distant and impersonal, the Civic Defender represents a bridge between institutions and citizens, ensuring that everyone is heard and protected.”
The initiative, curated by the Office of the Civic Defender of Lazio, included a moment of storytelling and testimony, during which participants shared real experiences and concrete cases where the Civic Defender intervened to resolve issues and restore fairness.
The event ended with a symbolic gesture: the delivery of the civic “torch” to young students, a metaphor for passing on the values of justice, transparency, and active citizenship.
An ideal closure for a day that reaffirmed the importance of this institution in strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
The Civic Defender of Lazio Region, who also serves as National Coordinator, confirmed the desire to promote a European Day of Civic Defense in agreement with the IOI and the European Parliament, with a proposal already submitted and under review.
Source: Office of the Civic Defender of the Lazio Region, Italy
