Italy: Gabriele Carchella, Oxfam International Media officer

Gabriele Carchella, 35, has recently been appointed media officer for Oxfam International ? Ucodep ?s campaigns office in Italy. The office, Oxfam International?s first in Italy, only opened in January 2008 and for strictly lobbying purposes. "Oxfam isn't here with competition in mind", stated Ucodep?s president Francesco Petrelli just before the campaigns office?s official launch, warding off fears that Oxfam International, perhaps the worlds best known NGO, planned to take over Italy?s third sector. So why open a campaigns office in Italy? Oxfam International?s director Jeremy Hobbes makes no secret of the reasons behind the move: "Because Italy will have the presidency of 2009's G8: If we want the summit to be a success, now is the right time to be campaigning".

Four months on, Vita Europe meets Oxfam International?s number one Italian media officer, to find out what it takes to work for the NGO that believes it can influence the world?s big 8 and get them commit to real social goals.

Why do you think that Oxfam International- Ucodep chose you as press officer?
Those who chose me probably would be able to answer that question better than I can! I can only say that I have felt the need, over the past few years, to dedicate myself to a long term project and to look beyond the short term time scale of a daily news service. And I am very happy to have been given this opportunity.

Have you always had an interest in the non profit sector?
My interest in the non profit sector has grown over time. I started working for the profit world but I soon began to feel the need for a different type of commitment, which is why I joined an association of journalists called Lettera22. It was there that, thanks to my colleagues? greater experience in the field, I began to understand what really goes on beyond the West?s limited boundaries. I also collaborated with different Italian and International NGOs, like MSF, which enabled me to gather first hand knowledge of the non profit reality. What most attracts me to this world is the opportunity one has to invest one?s energy into a mission that transcends personal ambition.

Where has your previous work taken you?
I have mainly worked in Italy, but as foreign correspondent for Lettera22 I was sent to countries like Iraq and Guatemala. Working abroad requires great adaptability and implies a constant effort to fully understand the reality that you are thrust into. It is hard to explain why one acquires an interest for a certain region of the world ? in my case Latin America. I think that in part it is a matter of instincts. For me it all started with Latin American literature, but the real spark was studying the Spanish conquest of Mexico. A tragic but also fascinating story. I feel that we Europeans have a great debt towards Latin America, a country that is far away but in many ways also very close. With the end of the dictatorships and the rebirth of democracy many different energies have been freed, but the path towards social justice is still long.

What challenges will you have to face in your new job?
The challenge is to be able to make a name for ourselves in the Italian scenario as a reliable and trustworthy voice. Oxfam International?s, and Ucodep?s, history and experience are fundamental if this objective is to be reached. I think it is important to act collaboratively and constructively with the many entities that have been active in Italy?s third sector for years, but we must also ensure that we do not give up our individuality.

What role will Oxfam International ? Ucodep have in Italy?
Oxfam International ? Ucodep?s campaigns office has a very well defined mission: to inform and raise awareness within Italian society on themes such as global poverty, injustice, the right to basic human rights and climate change. The G8 that will be held in Italy in 2009 will be a valuable opportunity to remind that the commitment of industrialised countries can make a difference to millions of people. For example: do you know how much has been spent in 2007 downloading mp3 tunes onto mobile phones? 13 million dollars. With the same amount six million teachers and health operators can be recruited by 2015, as set out by the Millennium Goals.

More info
www.ucodep.org

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Oxfam opens campaigns office with Italian NGO Ucodep