Alberta at the Big Kids' Table

From Abruzzo to conquering Europe and the world. Alberta Pelino, a 23-year-old Abruzzo native enrolled at Bocconi in the Master of Science in Economic and social sciences, after a Bachelor degree from Università di Tor Vergata, has a passion for international relations and diplomacy. So much so that at age twenty she founded the Young Ambassadors Society, a non-profit association that allows young Italians to take part in high profile international events, such as the youth sessions for the G8 and G20. Last year, she participated in the Economic Forum in Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, as a G20 Young Leader. "But it wasn't my first experience," says Alberta, "I was already at the G(irls)20 in Canada and Mexico and I was also involved in an international project promoted by the World Economic Forum for renewable energy, whose initial phase was taking place in Kenya. It was a very exciting event, more so than activities that are strictly diplomatic, and we were able to create something that would have an immediate impact."

At the various G8 and G20 youth delegations, usually made up of five students from each country, they discuss and vote on the same topics tackled by the official representatives, then produce a document that is delivered to the head of the hosting country on the last day. "The work we produce is taken very seriously by the "adult" representatives," she explains. "And we have the opportunity to interact with them during the various side initiatives. In addition, at the end all representatives produce a specific document to deliver to their government." The most important events in 2014 will take place in Russia in May, where the G8 will be held, and in Australia in July, for the G20. With the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the President of the Council of Ministers, the Young Ambassadors Society is now accepting applications, which must be submitted by 5 February. "We'll do the first screening, based on requirements and experience, then the final selection will be done by the Ministry. There are usually lots of applicants from Bocconi."This is one sign of the Bocconi community's considerable interest in important international issues, among others, says Alberta: "Bocconi is focused on associations in general," says Alberta, "and that's why we want to open a section of the Young Ambassadors Society on campus. After the official procedure is completed, it will be a new student association. We want to keep sending more Bocconi students to the big summits."