[Buddha-l] Istituto Italiano per l'Africa e l'Oriente, (IsIAO)Petition

[Alberto Todeschini]

 > Anyone know why this institute is being closed?
 > Joanna

Dear Joanna,

I follow Italian affairs closely, though I've been living outside of 
Italy for 15 years and though Italian affairs are a perennial source of 
embarrassment, especially when the fake-tanned, 
plastic-surgery-and-hair-transplant junkie, lecherous, law-bending 
Berlusconi is prime minister.

I don't know the exact answer to your question, but I know that the 
government is cutting funds to just about everything, including 
universities and cultural centers. These are, of course, short of money 
already.

So in spite of an increasing need to educate Italians about African and 
Asian matters, the venerable IsIAO (Buddhist scholars may be more 
familiar with the previous IsMEO) is facing the axe.

Sic transit gloria mundi, or something.

Best,

Alberto Todeschini