As a child my dream was to be an ambassador. And today my suitcases are always ready

HER JOURNEY BEGAN AT THE DIPLOMATIC CEREMONIAL SERVICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC. SINCE THEN ALUMNA AURORA RUSSI HAS MADE A STOP IN MADRID BEFORE ARRIVING IN BRAZIL WHERE SHE DEALS WITH 25000 ITALIANS AS CONSUL OF BELO HORIZONTE

Surrounded by aspiring dancers and singers, Aurora Russi has never pulled back from his childhood dream: "When I grow up, I want to be an ambassador." A clear intent which found expression in her high school years, when participation in the European Parliament simulations for young people made it clear that her dream was a real vocation. "The last year of high school I searched a lot for a  university program that could make my wish come true," says the current Italian consul in Belo Horizonte, "and I when I found CLAPI I stopped right there." The Bocconi degree helped her few weeks after graduation land a job with Federchimica as part of the staff taking care of international relations. "It was a job that had everything to please me and to become my professional life," the diplomat recalls. "I was also appreciated for the independent and enterprising way in which I interpreted my assignment. But my heart always harbored the same desire, and thus I gave a shot at the public competition to enter the diplomatic service." She won it on first try, and soon after came the call of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Even at Confindustria they threw up their hands and encouraged her to accept. No need, really, because the role as part of the diplomatic body overseeing the ceremonial of the President of the Italian Republic was very attractive. "I had to organize trips and official visits abroad of the President," says the Bocconi alumna. "So there was a job that had a practical management side, and also required having a close contact with the culture of the host countries, with their traditions and customs. A wonderful job, in fact."

A diplomat, however, must always suitcases ready for packing, so came the missions abroad, first at the embassy in Madrid and now at the consulate in Belo Horizonte, where Aurora Russi coordinates a staff of 13 people. "The main part of my work is the provision of consular services, but we also seek to encourage the presence of Italian companies in the region of Minas Gerais and promote Italian culture and traditions all over the region." Demand is strong because here the Italian community is large, at least 25,000 people, about 30% of the region's population has Italian origins and several Italian companies, from FCA to Ferrero, Fassa Bortolo and Techint have here their main South American subsidiaries. "It's very challenging, but it's the good thing about being a consul, in the sense that I have to blalance human and professional aspects, relations with private citizens and those with large corporations." In 2018, her Brazilian mandate will expire, due to the alternation rule existing in diplomacy, and the consul will have to return to Rome. "Glad you'll be home soon? Yes and no.. I already know that as soon as I arrive, I'll already want to leave again."

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by Lorenzo Martini