On Wednesday, 1 October, the Refettorio Hall of Palazzo San Macuto at the Chamber of Deputies in Rome hosted the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Language Assistant Program of CO.AS.IT. Melbourne.
Titled “Italiano lingua del mondo – Thirty Years of Language Assistants in Melbourne”, the event brought together Italian and Australian institutional representatives, academics, and former participants of the program to reflect on three decades of cultural and educational exchange. Launched in 1995, the Language Assistant Program was created to support the teaching of Italian in schools across Victoria. Through a partnership with seven Italian universities, young graduates are selected each year to assist local teachers in classrooms.
Their role goes beyond didactic support: they enrich school life and foster authentic linguistic and cultural exchange. Funded jointly by Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and CO.AS.IT., the initiative is one of the longest-running cultural cooperation projects between Italy and Australia. It is also supported by the State of Victoria, which has consistently promoted Italian as a school subject through dedicated agreements.
Today, Victoria records the highest levels of Italian language study in both Australia and worldwide. Over the past 15 years, an average of 20 to 28 assistants per year have been placed in state and Catholic schools across Victoria, demonstrating not only sustained demand but also the strong institutional commitment to the Italian language. The anniversary ceremony, held under the patronage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was coordinated by Marco Fedi, General Director of CO.AS.IT.
Melbourne. Key interventions came from Fabio Porta, MP for Italians Abroad and member of the Chamber’s Foreign Affairs Committee, Paolo Masini, president of the National Museum of Italian Emigration, as well as former assistants who shared their personal experiences and the long-term impact of the program. “This anniversary is not a point of arrival but a milestone towards new challenges,” said Marco Fedi. “The language assistant program has been, and will continue to be, a fundamental tool not only for ensuring younger generations learn Italian, but also for strengthening their awareness of its value as a cultural bridge between two countries united by a shared history of migration and friendship.”
Looking ahead, CO.AS.IT. Melbourne aims to consolidate ties with partner universities while expanding new initiatives to deepen cultural collaboration between Italy and Australia, ensuring the Italian language remains a vital part of Victoria’s educational and multicultural landscape.
