Hope for free press

Three students from Herat at Corriere della Sera

by Ferruccio de Bortoli - Corriere della Sera Editor in chief

Fariha Khorsand and Nasima Hamdard - 23 and 22 years old - were given an orchid welcome by the foreign editorial staff of Corriere della Sera whilst Sakhi Ataye - 31 years old - sat at one of the Sport desks with the precise idea of going to the San Siro Stadium to see the A. C. Milan football team.
After a brief welcome speech in our ancient hall - Sala Albertini - the three students from the Herat University started their three week training period with us. This was the last part of the joint project sustained by Cattolica University and Fondiaria Sai Foundation.
Initially we had thought of a workshop but these 20 days enriched all of us: they had the opportunity to improve their skills and we had the chance to reflect and deepen our knowledge.
Their arrival had a special meaning for us. Exactly ten years after the death of one of the greatest and unforgettable journalists - Maria Grazia Cutuli - the smiles of Fariha and Nasima gave her loss a sense.
These young journalists wrote their emotions and feelings on the Corriere’s “La Ventisettesima Ora” blog exchanging opinions with our readers. What impressed them most was: wandering around the shops in Rome and Milan, the fact that women can work, the accessibility of public transport and the number of women employed as shop assistants.
Sakhi managed to go to the Stadium.
All of them left Italy hoping to return one day.
The seed has been sown, freedom of the press is the base of democracy which for Afghan people will be difficult to cultivate. But they are not afraid.
Now we have a connection with Herat and this connection will never die.
We are waiting for them!

Photo reportage