Associazione Italiana Giovani per l'UNESCO (AIGU)

Associazione Italiana Giovani per l'UNESCO (AIGU) was established in 2015 as the Youth Committee of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO (CNIU) with the aim of promoting activities and events in the field of education, science, culture and communication, to disseminate values and priorities through the active participation of the younger generation and civil society.

In 2018, the then Youth Committee became AIGU, and was officially recognised by UNESCO as a Member of the Associations and Clubs for UNESCO. AIGU consists of approximately 200 young people between 20 and 35 years old, students, researchers, artists, professionals, managers and entrepreneurs. AIGU is currently chaired by President Gianluca Buoncore and organised into a central structure, consisting of a Governing Council, a National Coordination and a peripheral branch characterised by teams present in all regions of Italy.

For the quality of its projects and its solid organisational structure, the Association was recognised by UNESCO as one of the best practices of youth participation in UNESCO programmes. This recognition was reiterated by Eric Falt, Assistant Director-General for External Relations and Public Information at UNESCO, who described the Italian Youth Association for UNESCO as an innovative best practice to be exported internationally.

In 2018, the Association received the Medal of Representation from the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella for the Italian Youth Forum - Matera 2018.