Every year the INSEAD community celebrates Global INSEAD Day. This is a special day when together we remember our personal experiences, witnessing with joy and enthusiasm, our sense of belonging and our “credo” to the founding principles of the INSEAD culture. These are the value of diversity, a source of personal enrichment and continuous learning.
Speaking of culture, the decision to celebrate this important event together with Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI), was a “natural” consequence, in our opinion.
A few words about FAI ( www.fondoambiente.it ) : it is a non -profit foundation established in 1975 that contributes , thanks to the support of individuals, companies and institutions , to the protection, conservation and enhancement of the heritage of Italy’s art , its nature and its landscape.
The Villa Necchi Campiglio was chosen as the location for the celebration of the Global INSEAD Day Situated in the centre of Milan and an architectural jewel by Piero Portaluppi, it was built in the 1930s, and restored by FAI to its original beauty.
Doing the “honors” alongside our President, Giulia Belloni MBA’84D, was the FAI General Manager, Angelo Maramai. He welcomed us in a beautiful salon in the Villa where he presented FAI’s achievements to date. Among these were: 50 properties saved across Italy, of which 29 are open to the public; 5 million square meters of land protected; more than 1 million students made aware of the importance of protecting Italy’s natural heritage; more than 7 million visitors to the locations opened during the 22 editions of “Giornate FAI di Primavera” (FAI Spring Days).
This was followed by a Q&A session, moderated by Roger Abravanel MBA’72. The ensuing discussions focused on some of the organisational and financial aspects of the FAI which Angelo ably illustrated.
At the end of the extremely interesting presentation, we entered the wonderful garden of Villa Necchi Campiglio where among the gracious magnolias and other rare trees, accompanied by a wonderfully warm evening in Milan, we toasted INSEAD and its community.
The evening ended with a guided tour of the Villa. Given the large number of participants, we were divided into groups and accompanied by knowledgeable “cicerones” on a marvelous voyage through time to view the furnishings, valuable paintings, and anecdotes that let us “breathe” the atmosphere of the upper Bourgeoisie in Milan. It is truly a special place that, along with all the others protected by FAI, represents an incredible opportunity to experience our Bel Paese (beautiful country).
It was a splendid, elegant evening to celebrate Global INSEAD Day 2014. Until next year!
