Guido Venosta and the AIRC – The Awards and Recognitions Received
“One must know in order to defend oneself, just as money is needed to finance research: two parallel, elementary, and universally comprehensible statements” (VENOSTA, From Profit to Nonprofit, p. 12).
“Elementary” statements, yet not taken for granted in Italy: having worked to make them so—and largely succeeding—Guido Venosta has, over the years, earned truly well-deserved awards and recognitions, among which are:
Appointment as Grand Officer of the Italian Republic, 1988
Established in 1951, it is the foremost of the national orders and is intended to “reward distinguished merits acquired towards the Nation in the fields of literature, the arts, the economy, as well as for relinquishing public offices and carrying out activities for social, philanthropic, and humanitarian purposes, in addition to long and notable services in both civilian and military careers.” (Presidency of the Republic, Honors, Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, https://www.quirinale.it/page/omri).
Medal of Civic Merit (“Ambrogino d’Oro”) from the Municipality of Milan, 1989
“(…) But what exactly is the Ambrogino d’Oro, and why is it held in such high esteem in the Lombardy capital—and beyond? To understand, we must take a step back, specifically to 1925. On that occasion, Milan’s Mayor Luigi Mangiagalli decided to institute an honor to be awarded annually ‘to men and women, associations and organizations that have made a special contribution to the city.’ It is, therefore, a special acknowledgment of those who stand out for their moral or cultural contribution, or who have a significant impact on the community, or, more generally, who dedicate themselves to causes in favor of the common good. The name chosen for the award is itself a tribute to Saint Ambrose, the patron saint of Milan (…).” (E.L. MASCOLINO, The History of the Ambrogino d’Oro, in Harper’s Bazar, 24/10/2023, https://www.harpersbazaar.com/it/cultura/costume/a45623128/storia-ambrogino-oro/).
Medal of Gold from the Ministry of Health for Civil Merit, 1990
Instituted in 1918, the Public Health Merit Medals are conferred, by decree of the President of the Republic, “to individuals or entities who have provided, through significant contributions or performances, notable services in the field of public health under circumstances different from those prescribed for the Public Health Meritorious” (Presidency of the Republic, Honors, Public Health Merit Medals, https://www.quirinale.it/page/sanitapubblica#fotografie).
Fecs Award – Pezcoller Recognition for Contribution to Oncology, 1996
Established in 1994 (and now suspended), “this was a biennial award, in collaboration with the European School of Oncology (ESO) and subsequently, from 1999, in collaboration with the Federation of European Societies for Cancer Research (FECS). The €30,000 prize was awarded to professionals who had devoted their careers to fighting cancer. Nominations were evaluated by an international selection committee, jointly proposed by the Pezcoller Foundation and FECS, and the winner was officially announced during the biennial congress of the European CanCer Organization (ECCO).” Guido Venosta was the second recipient since its inception (https://www.pezcoller.it/it/i-premi/the-fecs—pezcoller-recognition-for-contribution-to-oncology/).
Bibliography:
G. VENOSTA, From Profit to Nonprofit. The Story of an Experience, Milan, 1997.
