In 1970 Marella Agnelli Caracciolo di Castagneto established the Italian UWC National Committee with Ambassador Bartolomeo Migone and Professor Rossi. Marella Agnelli was indeed the driving force behind the establishment of the Italian branch of the United World Colleges, an educational movement with over 60.000 alumni worldwide united by the mission to “make education a force to unite people, nations and cultures for peace and a sustainable future”.
The solid presence in Italy of a UWC National Committee, which is responsible for the selection of an increasing number of Italian students to be admitted in the 17 UWC schools and colleges around the world, as well as the existence of UWC Adriatic – established in Duino in 1982 – owe much to the commitment, drive and generosity of Marella Agnelli.
UWC Adriatic is proud of the fact that the historical ties with Donna Marella and her family have withstood the test of time: the generous support of the Agnelli Foundation and the personal friendship of the Agnelli and Caracciolo di Castagneto families – who spent a day with our students in Duino last summer – testify as much.
UWC Adriatic, the Italian UWC National Committee and the Italian UWC Foundation express their deepest sympathy and heartfelt gratitude on the passing away of Marella Agnelli.
Ambassador Gianfranco Facco Bonetti, former President of UWC Adriatic and among the founding fathers of the College, recalls the role played by Gianni Agnelli’s widow as follows: “Donna Marella Agnelli was a crucial presence in the decisive years for the birth of the UWC Movement in Italy. Starting with the 1960s, when the UWC Italian National Committee was set up, and later in the 1970s and 80s, during very complex times for the promotion and establishment of a United World College in Duino, Donna Marella was incessantly dedicated, generous and benevolent. The now large Italian branch of the UWC family therefore owes her no less than its very existence.”
