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Representative Bodies of Italians Abroad

This section provides information on the representative bodies of Italians abroad: the Committees of Italians Abroad (Comitati degli Italiani all’Estero – COMITES) and the General Council of Italians Abroad (Consiglio Generale degli Italiani all’Estero – CGIE).

 

COMITES

Established in 1985, the Comites are representative bodies of the Italian community, directly elected by compatriots residing abroad in each consular district where at least three thousand compatriots registered in the updated list referred to in art. 5, par. 1 of Law 459/2001 reside.

In districts where fewer than three thousand Italian citizens reside, as in the case of Ethiopia, the Committees are appointed by the diplomatic-consular Authority.

The Committees are composed of 12 members or 18 members, depending on whether they are elected in consular Circumscriptions with fewer or more than 100,000 resident Italian citizens, as they result from the updated list of Italian citizens residing abroad.

In addition to the elected members of Italian citizenship, foreign citizens of Italian origin may be members of the Committee, by co-optation, in an amount not exceeding one third of the elected Committee members (4 or 6 members).

Pursuant to art. 1, par. 2 of Italian Law 286/2003, the Comites are representative bodies of Italians abroad in their relations with diplomatic-consular representations.

Partly through studies and research, they contribute to identifying the social, cultural and civil development needs of the community of reference; they promote, in collaboration with the consular authority, the regions and local autonomies, as well as with bodies, associations and committees operating within the consular district, appropriate initiatives in matters pertaining to social and cultural life, with particular regard to youth participation, equal opportunities, social and educational assistance, vocational training, the recreational sector, sport and leisure.

The committees are also called upon to cooperate with the consular authority in protecting the rights and interests of Italian citizens residing in the consular district.

Following the December 2021 elections, there are now 115 elective Committees operating around the world, of which 9 are newly established, and 3 consular-appointed Committees. The 118 Committees are distributed as follows: 55 are in Europe, 44 in the Americas, 10 in Asia and Oceania, 4 in the Middle East and 5 in Africa.

Regulatory references:

  • Italian Law no. 286 of 23 October 2003: Regulations concerning the discipline of the Committees of Italians abroad (as from the date of entry into force of the law, Italian Law n° 205 of 8 May 1985, and subsequent modifications, and Italian Law n° 172 of 5 July 1990 are repealed);
  • Italian Presidential Decree No 395 of 29 December 2003: Regulations for the implementation of Italian Law n° 286 of 23 October 2003 regulating the Committees of Italians Abroad;
  • Italian MoFA Notice No. 2 of 28 July 2020 on the procedures for contributions to Comites.
  • Annexes – Italian MoFA Notice No. 2 of 28 July 2020

COMITES Ethiopia website: https://www.comitesetiopia.org/

 

CGIE

The General Council of Italians Abroad (Consiglio Generale degli Italiani all’Estero – CGIE), established by Italian Law No. 368 of 6 November 1989 (last amended by Italian Decree-Law No. 66 of 24 April 2014, converted with amendments, by Italian Law No. 89 of 23 June 2014) and governed by the implementing regulations set out in Italian Presidential Decree No. 329 of 14 September 1998, is an advisory body to the Government and Parliament on major issues of interest to Italians abroad.

It derives its representative legitimacy from the direct election by the members of the Comites in the world and represents an important step in the process of developing active participation in the political life of the country by Italian communities around the world. At the same time, it constitutes the essential body for their permanent connection with Italy and its institutions.

The CGIE is chaired by the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and, following the changes introduced by Italian Law 89/2014, is composed of 63 councillors, of whom 43 represent the Italian communities abroad and 20 are appointed by the government.

Participating in the work of the CGIE, with speaking rights only, are the representatives and experts listed in Article 6, paragraph 1, of Italian Law No. 368 of 6 November 1989. See here the Italian MoFA Notice No. 4111/1569 of 23 June 2022 appointing them.

The procedures for the renewal of the CGIE, which began with the election of territorial members on 9 and 10 April 2022, are nearing completion. See the list of the 43 territorial members here.

Normative references:

Please visit www.normattiva.it for the current Italian regulations.