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materials that included a book by keynote speaker Dr. Janet Zadina, who returned to
Italy a few months later to work more closely with the teachers from Abruzzo.
Preserving Archives: The State Department brought an expert archivist from the
United States to perform an in-depth assessment of information resources in L’Aquila
and to evaluate the needs of various libraries in L’Aquila, including digitalization of
records. As a follow-on, the State Department also funded a University of L’Aquila
archivist/librarian’s participation in a regional conference on the digitalization of
cultural heritage.
Donation of Information Resources: The State Department donated information and
reference materials to assist L’Aquila’s public libraries and school libraries. One
contribution included giving 5,000 dictionaries for English learners that are being
distributed to all high school students in the earthquake-stricken area.
Fine Arts Curator: The U.S. Embassy has offered its experienced
curator/conservator to the University of L’Aquila for the period of one month to
assist the university in an art inventory or restoration project to help assess its art
collection and any damage to the art caused by the earthquake.
Summer Activities for Youth: The State Department supported projects in the
summer and fall of 2009, undertaken by civil society groups in Abruzzo, to engage
youngsters in the many tent camps with recreational activities, such as sports and
games. In particular, U.S. Embassy Rome worked with the Italian Civil Protection
Agency and the Italian National Basketball Federation to provide a basketball day
camp for 130 young people affected by the earthquake. The reaction of the
youngsters, aged 6-12, on "graduation day" showed the program’s value in helping
to bring joy back into the lives of earthquake victims.
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department
of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)
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