Andrea Canepari, the Ambassador Who Knows How to Start from Scratch
The charm of joining the diplomatic corps, the pride to serve one's own country, and last but not least, the desire and curiosity for an international career, were the motivations pushing Andrea Canepari into Italian diplomacy. Originally from Pavia, class of '96 Bocconi Graduate in Economics (but he also holds in Degree in Law from the University of Parma), Canepari been Italian ambassador to the Dominican Republic since August 2008. In less than two decades, he has traveled across countries and continents, always with the mission of promoting Italy's image abroad and foster the activities of Italian entrepreneurs operating in foreign markets.
"I was Head of Section for Cyprus, Greece and Turkey, and then Head of Section for the Former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. From 2002 to 2006, I was assigned to the Embassy of Italy in Ankara," says Canepari,"first with the function of Head of the Consular Chancellery, and then I was later promoted Head of the Economic and Commercial Office, at a time when Italy was Turkey's second trading partner, so I dealt with Erdogan frequently in a geopolitical context very different from the current one." Then he spent four years in Washington, from 2006 to 2010, did a three-year interim period in Rome, and then, in 2013, he was given his previous assignment as General Consul in Philadelphia.
"In Philadelphia there is one of the most important Italian-American communities in the country, and for this reason I created a one-month festival showcasing Italian culture, with about 70 events, entirely funded by U.S. Partners, which also involved museums and universities, and greatly contributed to strengthening Italy's credibility in the tri-state area." Canepari, the first foreigner to receive this honor, was awarded the Temple University's Biannual Global Award in 2016, a prize given to those who best promote the image of Philadelphia in the world, "which I consider an award given to Italy's reputation".
In Santo Domingo, where he just landed, and where the Italian Embassy was reopened only last February, there is much to do. "It's almost about starting from scratch," the newly-appointed ambassador explains, "which is one of the nice things about about this job. The bad thing, if you can say so, is to leave an environment where you have created strong bonds with people, but there is also the pride for what you have accomplished there. It is a profession that is also taxing for your family, although my children are still small and just see the fun part. As for the Dominican Republic," he continues," its economy is growing fast, with opportunities especially in the construction and food industries, as well as tourism. My job, as always, will be to create opportunities for my country here. "