At the June celebration, CSD’s founder traced the evolution of the asset-building movement and celebrated the release of a compelling new book on its development in Italy.
In 1595, the citizens of Turin, Italy, established a foundation to provide dowries for young women whose families could not afford them. The effort was seen as a way to keep beneficiaries from falling into poverty. Fondazione Ufficio Pio’s work with vulnerable populations has evolved over the centuries, but it continues to empower people through assets. In June, the foundation celebrated its 430th anniversary with the launch of a new book on innovative asset-building efforts in Italy.
The celebration, held at Collegio Carlo Alberto in collaboration with Fondazione Compagnia di San Paolo, featured a keynote address from Michael Sherraden.
“Ufficio Pio’s long history of empowering vulnerable people is truly inspiring,” said Sherraden, the George Warren Brown Distinguished University Professor at Washington University in St. Louis and founder and co-director of the Center for Social Development. “I am honored to have joined in celebrating of that history and the launch of this important new book on asset-building programs in Italy.”