MILAN, ITALY (October 24, 2019) — As a refugee crisis in Western Europe continues to grow, Donato Tramuto, CEO of Tivity Health and Chairman of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Italia, will sponsor a forum on Friday, Oct. 25th that brings together leading academics, researchers, government leaders and non-profit organizations to develop solutions to better integrate refugees and asylum seekers in Italy and ensure they receive the dignity and compassion they deserve.

The day-long forum, entitled Reception of Asylum Seekers and Refugees: An Open Challenge, is co-hosted by Catholic University and is sponsored by Tramuto’s two US-based non-profits, Health eVillages and the Tramuto Foundation.

Italy has been particularly impacted by the refugee crisis as tens of thousands of people flee places like Syria and Turkey in search of safety and economic security.

Tramuto, whose maternal and paternal grandparents were Italian immigrants to America, became an Italian citizen in 2017, honoring his ancestors with his philanthropic work in America, Italy and beyond.

“The values that I inherited from my large Italian family were based on our Catholic faith – to treat others as you would want to be treated, to feed the hungry and shelter the homeless, and to do whatever you can to make this world a better place,” Tramuto said. “On a daily basis, I strive to uphold those same values.

“By bringing together this esteemed group of academics, researchers, government leaders and non-profit organizations to identify solutions to the current crisis, we can begin to change the narrative around migration, and enact lasting changes that uphold the right of every person to live in a world free from violence and oppression.”

Throughout the day, panelists will discuss ways to improve the reception of foreigners seeking refuge from violence and oppression in their home countries. They will also discuss the role of philanthropy in protecting victims and the role of businesses in integrating refugees into the community.

The forum will include an introduction to the Italian legislative framework concerning immigration, and panelists will share best practices for integrating migrants into the current fabric of Italian culture.

“The migrant crisis has presented unprecedented challenges to many parts of Europe. Nothing short of creative, collective, immediate action is demanded of us in order to meet the urgent needs of every woman fleeing domestic violence, every child fleeing forced labor, every family fleeing war,” said Kerry Kennedy, President of Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. “We are proud of RFK Italia’s public and private partnerships, which are dedicated to supporting solutions for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. We must come together to welcome those seeking refuge in this great land.”