In the Prime Suspect section, the president of Confederazione Veneziana will answer any questions you may have regarding the organisation, its mission and its activites. If you do not find the answer please send your question to info(at)confederazioneveneziana.org - [replace (at) with the correct symbol to get a valid e-mail address].

Why the Name "Confederazione Veneziana"?

What has evolved is a federal organization made up of local sections (Chapters). Each chapter is free to do what it judges best, provided only that the principle of non-partisanship is observed and that its policies and activities are consistent with Confederazione Veneziana's mission and core values. Thus the name "Confederazione" (i.e. "Confederation").
The second part of the name - "Veneziana" (i.e. "Venetian") - derives from the fact that the geographical area in which we operate and which we are targeting with our proposals is called Venezie. The term Venezie can be literally translated as Venices*.

Why the Motto "Our Future is Rooted in Our Past"? Are You Stuck in the Past?

No, we are not. Using an analogy, we are not driving a car with our eyes stuck to the rearview mirror ... ... as this would be the best recipe for an accident!
But, on the other hand, we believe it would be pure arrogance and sheer blindness not to take heed of our country's past experiences. Especially if the principles and values driving the individuals who were at the helm - our Forefathers - were such that our country was considered an exemplary model of institutional and social virtue. Thus, we firmly believe that our Forefathers' values and principles should be taken off the shelves, dusted off, restudied and once again used as signposts for our country's future.

Why Do You Use the Term "Venezie" rather than "Veneto"?

We prefer to use the term "Venezie" rather than "Veneto" - and we are campaigning for the adoption of the term "Venezie" - as the current italian region whose name is Veneto (known also as Venezia Euganea) constitutes only a very minor portion of the territories which, for ethical and institutional affinities, decided in the past to come together and undertake a common journey under the banner of the "Serenissima" (i.e. the Venetian "Most Serene" Republic).

Are You a Political Party?

No, we are not. Active participation in the consultation process or in political campaigns is not how we operate. Nor do we take a stand for or against any political party. On the contrary, we are completely independent of political parties, and religious or economic interest groups.

How Are You Funded Currently?

We accept contributions from individuals, businesses, foundations and government agencies - both in the Venices* and at international level. Currently, we rely almost entirely on financial donations from our Directors. These individuals believe so much in Confederazione Veneziana's mission that they are willing to sacrifice their own families' financial security to support the organisation's projects and activities!

Do You Accept Government Funding?

Yes, we do accept government funding - both in the Venices* and at international level. Just as we accept funding from individuals, businesses and foundations. However, we will not accept funds (wherever they may come from) that might impair the independence of the organization to pursue its mission, or that compromise its ability to address issues freely, thoroughly and objectively.

What Support Are You Receiving From Your Current Supporters?

Support may come in many forms: it may be financial, or it may consist in the donation of equipment, or it may take the form of a collaboration agreement. Currently we have several collaboration agreements (publications, advice, translations, research, conferences, etc.) with most of the international organisations listed on the page "Current Supporters".

Do You Have Paid Employees?

Yes, we do have employees. No, we do not have "paid employees".
This is because all our employees are currently working on an unpaid basis. Therefore, when you look at our range of activities and projects and to what we have achieved so far, please take a moment to realize how much commitment and financial sacrifice it has meant to them. And then take a moment to consider how much more we could do if YOU too could give us your support!

What is the Venetian Heritage Society?

The Venetian Heritage Society is one of our research units. Its mission is to raise public awareness, understanding and appreciation of Venetian heritage in all its forms, and to promote its relevance and importance to the life of all communities in the Venices* thereby increasing the commitment of the Venetian regional governments to its protection and preservation for future generations.

What is the Venezie Institute?

The Venezie Institute is our second research unit. Its mission is to assess the institutional, social and economic issues currently facing the Venices* and to generate solutions based on the traditional Venetian principles of free enterprise, institutional integrity, limited government and individual liberty. The Institute approaches every single issue from an international point of view, and its proposed solutions are based on in-depth research and analysis of successful foreign settings.

Why is the Venezie Institute Based in London?

There are several reasons why we decided to base the Venezie Institute abroad:

1. currently London is at the cross-roads of the world (as Venice once was). Thus, the Institute has easier access to a more international and much wider pool of knowledge, talent, help and contacts than if it were based in the Venices*;
   
   
2. in London the Institute can experience first-hand the merits and faults of the Anglo-Saxon economic and institutional system. As both Friedrich von Hayek and Friedrich Engels publicly recognised - though with opposite views on its qualities - the Anglo-Saxon system evolved from and is closely related to the Venetian system. Thus, living in London allows the Institute to experience what life would have been like in Venetia* - had it remained a free country - and allows it also to put forward reform proposals several of which are based on "personally-tested" foreign settings;
   
   
3. finally, being based abroad allows the Institute to maintain a detached involvement in the Venetian situation, thus allowing it to gain a broader overview and to consider drastic reform proposals that a more involved entity would not dare considering. A detached position is usually the main reason why one uses external management consultants to turn a firm around rather than internal people. The external consultants can gain a better overall perspective of the situation and can put forward painful proposals of change without being swayed or pressured by "party interests".
   The Institute's detachement does not mean however that they are out of touch with the situation in the Venices*. In fact, Confederazione Veneziana's wide local grass-roots network allows the Institute to keep a finger on the pulse and provides it with a distribution network for its proposals.

(*) For the purpose of CV's work, the words "Venices", "Venetia" and "Northeast Italy" are interchangeable, and are taken as meaning the historical Venices within Northern Italy - i.e. the current italian regions of Venezia Tridentina-Sud Tirol/Alto Adige, Venezia Euganea, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the current provinces of Bergamo, Brescia, Cremona (i.e Venezia Orobica), and Mantua.