Sicily an example of integration, says Vancheri at Expo

(ANSA) - Palermo, July 6 - Sicily's regional councilor for productive activities, Linda Vencheri, has said it was important for Sicily to open a debate on immigration at the Milan Expo 2015 world's fair.
    "It is truly important for our region to open a debate on migrants at an international event such as the Universal Exposition in Milan", said Vancheri, who is also Sicily's coordinator at the world's fair, on the event "Mediterranean Frontier" promoted by the region at Palazzo Italia's auditorium on Saturday.
    Along with Vancheri, the event's participants included Sicily Governor Rosario Crocetta, councilors Bruno Caruso and Antonio Purpura, the European director of the WHO, Santino Severoni, Viviana Valastro from Save the Children, Mario Morcone, Gad Lerner, Agriculture Minister Maurizio Martina, Mons. Domenico Mogavero and Virginio Colmegna.
    "In two centuries of history, each culture that conquered and dominated Sicily decided not to demolish what it found but rather influence it with its own scientific, cultural and economic heritage", continued Vencheri.
    "This is how the greatest garden of the Mediterranean was born, carrying the history of Greece, of the Phoenicians, of ancient Rome, of the Arabs, Normans and many others".
    "It was a flourishing area, rich in culture and knowledge that over the centuries was a symbol of tolerance and integration - in Sicily, Jews, Muslims and Christians shared the same space without ever producing conflicts and divisions".
    "We will talk about the history of Sicily by trying to define its role over the centuries until today", she continued.
    "It is an Italian region where the words racism, refusal of entry, xenophobia, appear to belong to an unknown vocabulary", concluded the councilor, citing as examples of integration schools and hospitals and the role of the region in assisting migrants and minors.
    "We will start from Sicily for an international debate on the issue, involving different institutional levels".