Founded in 2005 with the aim of preserving and promoting the moral legacy of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia (Non-profit Organization) strives to foster knowledge of human rights and promote the social and professional inclusion of the most vulnerable.
To achieve these goals, RFK Human Rights Italia has developed various programs and activities on human rights topics for all levels of Italian schools. The "Bobby’s Dream" program is specifically designed for the most fragile sectors of the population, offering them specialized training courses that provide both the technical skills necessary for job placement and a range of essential cross-disciplinary knowledge for independence, such as workers' rights and responsibilities, financial literacy, first aid, and workplace safety.
Two free training courses were launched in 2023 as part of this program. In Milan, eight individuals had the opportunity to participate in an 800-hour course for Socio-Health Assistants (ASA), which included theoretical and practical training as well as internships. Following the final exam, six participants secured immediate employment. The second course took place at the RFK International House of Human Rights in Florence, where eight women were trained as specialized embroiderers in high fashion. Similarly, out of the eight participants, six received job offers upon completing the training program.
The participants’ testimonials themselves underscore the positive impact of the program. For Angel Giovanni, originally from Peru, the ASA course was crucial for his social and economic integration in Italy. As he recounts, the initiative helped him find both personal and professional stability. Likewise, Cisse, a woman from Senegal with a degree in Human Sciences, saw the ASA course as a valuable opportunity to continue her career in Italy, aiming to ensure a better future for herself and her children. She recalls her grandmother’s words, “A woman must work to be independent and autonomous and not depend on anyone, especially not a man.”
The embroidery course also had a transformative effect on many of the participants. Olga, a Ukrainian citizen who fled the horrors of war, shared how the course helped her improve not only her professional skills but also her self-confidence, enabling her to approach the job market with greater assurance. Magliane, in sharing her own experience, emphasized how the training opened new professional and personal opportunities for her. The skills she acquired even allowed her to create her daughter's wedding dress, a deeply meaningful experience that will forever hold a special place in her heart and has strengthened the bond between mother and daughter.
RFK Human Rights Italia's upcoming projects include the launch of a new course for family caregivers by the end of 2024, aimed at meeting the growing demand for qualified workers. This free course, which will take place in Milan, will provide both theoretical and practical lessons to train professionals equipped with both technical expertise and interpersonal skills, enabling them to care for dependent individuals and manage household responsibilities.
This new initiative represents another step forward in RFK Human Rights Italia’s mission, which also seeks to raise awareness about the vital role of family caregivers within families and society. With a market expected to require nearly 1.2 million new jobs in the family care sector by 2030, RFK Human Rights Italia is committed to addressing this challenge by offering training and support to those interested in pursuing this career path.
