22 May 2014 Patrizio Civili, IDLO Permanent Observer to the United Nations was awarded today the title of Commendatore dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (Order of Merit of the Italian Republic) at a ceremony at the United Nations presided over by the President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Honorable Laura Boldrini, and Italy's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sebastiano Cardi. The Order of Merit, instituted in 1951, is the highest-ranking honor and most senior order of the Italian Republic. It is awarded for "merit acquired by the nation" in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic and humanitarian activities and for long and conspicuous service in civilian and military careers. The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, on recommendation of the President of the Council. The official motivation refers to Mr. Civili's current role at IDLO and speaks of him as a "personality of vast political experience and endowed with exceptional professional capacities" and of a "brilliant career within the United Nations...where he was for many years the highest-ranking Italian in the Organization". Highlighting "a professional path spanning 40 years, of which ten at the level of Assistant Secretary-General," the motivation refers to Mr. Civili as a "personality who has always distinguished himself for outstanding ethics and dedication to service". Statement by Italian Ambassador to the UN, Sebastiano Cardi New York – 22 May 2014 “Personalita’ di ampia esperienza politica e dotata di eccezionali capacita’ professionali, Patrizio Civili ha svolto una brillante carriera in seno alle Nazioni Unite dove e’ stato per lunghi anni Funzionario italiano piu’ alto in grado in New York. Attualmente Osservatore Permanente all’ONU dell’IDLO, da piu’ di 40 anni presta servizio nelle Nazioni Unite. Un lungo cammino professionale che l’ ha visto protagonista in numerosi uffici chiave dell’Organizzazione, a partire dal Segretariato Generale dove per dieci anni ha ricoperto l’incarico di Assistant Secretary General presso il Dipartimento degli Affari Economici e Sociali. In qualita’ di funzionario internazionale ha sempre mantenuto stretti i contatti con il suo paese offrendo numerose occasioni per valorizzare il contributo dell’Italia alle attivita’ dell’ONU. La concessione dell’onoreficenza di Commendatore dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana rappresenta il giusto riconoscimento ad una personalita’ che si e’ sempre distinta per spiccata moralita’, dedizione al servizio per l’opera svolta da Funzionario internazionale presso le Nazioni Unite.”