On 9 October 2013, Colonel Giuseppe Morabito (ITA A), Head of the Middle East Faculty at the NATO Defense College (NDC), was awarded the Boniface VIII National Prize. The ceremony took place in the magnificent historic setting of Palazzo Barberini, in Rome.
“For the promotion of a culture of peace, tolerance and respect”: this is the reason for which the award was conferred on Col Morabito by Mr Sante De Angelis, President of the Boniface Academy (based in Anagni, near Rome). The importance of the occasion was marked by the presence of H.E. Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, Honorary President of the Academy, and Mr Ahmad Seklaoui, Honorary Consul of Italy in Tyre, Lebanon.
In his speech of thanks, Col Morabito expressed how appreciative he was to receive this honour: more than any personal significance, he saw it as fitting recognition for the efforts of all NDC staff, both military and civilian, whose dedication has helped promote the image of NATO in the world.
This award, granted by the Board of Directors of the Academy and the Scientific Committee for the Boniface VIII Prize, was instituted in 2003 by Pope John Paul II. Both the National and the International Prizes perpetuate the memory of Boniface VIII, Pope from 1294 to 1303, who proclaimed the original Christian Jubilee in 1300. The year 2003 marked the seventh centenary not only of Boniface VIII’s death, but also of the historic episode known as the “schiaffo di Anagni”, when conflict between the Pope and the French crown culminated in his arrest and imprisonment at Anagni.
The aim of the award is to uphold the artistic and cultural heritage so eminently expressed by the many organizations which recognize and support the inspiring example of the Academy – among them the European Parliament, both Chambers of the Italian National Parliament, and the Lazio Region. Among the distinguished figures to have received the Boniface VIII International Prize is former President of the Italian Republic Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, who was granted the award in 2006. In 2009, the same honour was conferred on Lt Gen Wolf-Dieter Loeser (DEU A) during his tenure as NDC Commandant.
The Prize is a unique institution, symbolizing the lasting relevance of the message of forgiveness associated with Boniface VIII – a fundamental requirement if peace is to be restored in the many parts of the world where conflict is still dominant.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Monica Fornari, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN