On June 20th a group of associations gathered spontaneously in Arnasco (SV) to establish an Italian Section of the International Alliance of terraced landscapes, created from the first World Conference held in China in 2010. The idea is to bring together the many Italian groups which keep alive the cultivations on terraces, addressing farmers as well as researchers and institutions. Here below a Summary of the first meeting can be found.

SUMMARY

Meeting for the International Alliance terraced landscapes
Arnasco, June 20th 2011

With the aim of setting up the Italian section of the World Alliance for terraced landscapes gathered in Arnasco (SV) at the venue of the Olive oil Cooperative, the representatives of:
 the cooperative itself, with the president Luciano Galicia
 Consortium of the Quarantine, with president Massimo Angelini
 Veneto Region, Department of Planning, with the director Franco Alberti
 Department of Geography of the University of Padua, with Dr. Luca Lodatti
 the Association Dear Ancient Mountain Land of Verona, with the Acting President Plinio Pancirolli

Also took part in the meeting, as interested persons and supporters of the initiative:
 the Mayor of Arnasco
 the Councillor for Agriculture of the Liguria Region
 the President of the Chamber of Commerce of the Province of Savona
 citizens of Arnasco, members of the Cooperative, teachers and experts of dry-stone building

and the representatives of the World Alliance for terraced landscapes:
 Timmi Tillmann and Maruja Salas

After the presentation of the participants and some words of support expressed by the Regional Alliance, Donatella Murtas - coordinator of the Consortium and the Cooperative Alliance - read the articles 2 and 3 of the Statute of form associations (Purpose and Activities), asking for comments and advice. All the attendance appreciated and shared what was written, highlighting:
 the difficulty to put into practice what is stated;
 the urgency of immediate and concrete practical initiatives.

It should be noted in particular the need to give priority to:
 starting a legally recognized school that trains and certifies the dry-stone builders;
 creating a website that plays a role of ’contact point’ between the different Italian groups: www.paesaggiterrazzati.it
 defining specific rules and laws (regional) highlighting the importance of terraced systems, introducing agility in working (eg. rebuild the walls of the traditional techniques by owners without special permits)
 preparing eligible projects to be submitted to the Regional Governments and the European Community;

It is also proposed:
 Italy as candidate for hosting the next World Conference in 2016.
 Donatella Murtas as the coordinator of the Italian Section of the Alliance.

Timmi Tillmann and Maruja Salas illustrated the initiatives occurring in other countries, especially the activities of the Peruvian Section with some decisions already taken on the world meeting that will take place in Peru in October 2013.

The President of the Chamber of Commerce expressed its support and declared its willingness to realize operational projects aimed at developing the area.

At the meeting conclusion, the Constitutive Act of the Constituent Assembly and the Proceedings are signed by Massimo Angelini (Quarantine Consortium) and Luciano Galicia (Olive oil Cooperative ) as Members. The others present will have for 60 days the chance to join as founding members or ordinary or supporting members. The Dear Ancient Land Association joins as a supporting member.

News about the meeting were given by the reporter Strizioli Romano, on newspapers and magazines online, and by Teresa Tacchella on television in TG3 Liguria.

July 11th 2011, Donatella Murtas

INFO: do.murtas@gmail.com