Milan, Jan. 20 (LaPresse) – ‘The National Day of Respect is celebrated on the birthday of Willy Monteiro Duarte, who was brutally murdered in an attempt to defend a friend in difficulty. Established by Parliament in 2024, it aims to help raise awareness of the need to prevent and combat bullying and cyberbullying. Respect is a universal value in every dimension. Respect for oneself, respect for others, respect for the planet: these represent the first step towards a liveable society, which assumes the criteria of solidarity, social cohesion, mutual acceptance, sustainability'. This was stated by the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella: ‘These are constitutional principles that animate and make our democracy authentic. Respect is the antidote against hatred, discrimination, violence and arrogance that tend, at times, to reappear as a sign of affirmation, where they correspond, instead, to a manifestation of fragility and uncertainty. Families, teachers, educational agencies, all have a role in promoting the value of respect, especially among young people, to make them women and men capable of building solid and united communities. Respect is a sign of maturity: it means choosing to enjoy one's freedom to the full, in harmony with others and oneself, in a context that guarantees the rights and responsibilities of each individual. Being respectful is an exercise of freedom,' he concludes.
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