Charter of Values

Preamble

Casa Italia Iași is a non-profit association operating exclusively for cultural, social and community purposes, in compliance with current legislation and the principles of institutional fairness. The Association was created to be a stable, credible and authoritative point of reference for Italians who live, work or study in Iași and in Romania, promoting cohesion, integration, intercultural dialogue and the appreciation of Italian identity, in full respect of the local social, institutional and cultural context.

Living abroad brings opportunities for growth, international openness and personal enrichment, but it can also generate uncertainty, difficulty finding one's bearings and a need for dialogue. Casa Italia Iași aims to be a place of meeting, listening and collaboration, able to strengthen a sense of belonging and turn geographic distance into a living, participatory community.

This Charter of Values complements and interprets the spirit of the Statute, defining the ethical principles, standards of conduct and governance guidelines that steer every activity of the Association. It morally binds all members, regardless of category — founders, ordinary, affiliate, sympathiser and honorary members — and serves as a permanent reference for the Association's governing bodies in carrying out their duties.

Non-profit nature and social purpose

Casa Italia Iași pursues no profit, direct or indirect. Every economic resource, contribution, membership fee, donation or public or private support is used exclusively to pursue the Association's statutory aims and to carry out activities consistent with its mission. Any distribution of profits, financial advantages or personal benefits arising from the Association's activity is excluded.

Economic management is based on transparency, prudence and responsibility, with a moral obligation to provide members with clear, verifiable reporting. Members' involvement is based on voluntary availability, a spirit of service, fairness and conscious participation, in the understanding that the Association's value lies in everyone's selfless contribution.

The centrality of the person

At the heart of Casa Italia Iași is the person, before any role, profession, economic position or membership category. Every member carries a story, a migratory or professional path, a sensitivity and a cultural background that deserve respect and a hearing. The Association is committed to creating an inclusive, welcoming and supportive environment where everyone can feel recognised, valued and part of the community.

Every Italian living abroad goes through a process of adjustment that can bring opportunities, but also administrative, linguistic, relational and professional uncertainties. Casa Italia Iași fosters mutual support, encouraging guidance, dialogue and the sharing of experiences. The community exists for people, and is measured by the quality of the attention, listening and respect it offers.

Community, closeness and solidarity

Being a community means knowing you are not alone and, above all, not leaving others alone. Casa Italia Iași understands community as a living network of relationships built on mutual trust, concrete collaboration and shared responsibility — not simply a formal bond between members, but a real commitment to building an environment where everyone can find a hearing, guidance and support.

Closeness is neither symbolic nor occasional, but translates into concrete actions: sharing useful information, helping people find their way through administrative and social matters, exchanging professional experience, supporting one another between families, accompanying newcomers in their first steps, and collaborating on initiatives of shared interest. Newcomers find a welcome, clear points of reference and people willing to share their experience; those who have lived here for years offer expertise, knowledge of the local context and guidance.

The quality of a community is not measured by its number of members, but by the strength of the relationships built over time. Casa Italia Iași promotes a model of community based on shared responsibility: every member is an active part of a balance sustained by individual commitment, mutual respect and the awareness that the common good is born from everyone's involvement.

Italian identity and responsible integration

Italian identity is a historical, cultural and civic heritage made up of language, traditions, artistic heritage, a sense of family, entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, civic sense and an ability to adapt. Casa Italia Iași preserves and promotes this heritage with a conscious and balanced pride, spreading it through cultural, educational and social initiatives — a pride that does not translate into insularity or self-reference, but into the responsibility to represent one's origins with dignity.

Being Italian abroad means taking on an active role as a bridge between cultures, a facilitator of dialogue and a promoter of mutual respect. Integrating into the local context does not mean giving up one's identity, but harmonising roots with the present: the ability to combine belonging and openness, memory and innovation, tradition and active participation in the social life of the host country.

Inclusion, equal dignity and respect

Casa Italia Iași is founded on inclusion as a structural, not merely declared, value. The Association is open to all who share its aims and principles, without discrimination based on nationality, language, gender, age, personal beliefs, cultural background or social status. Every person is recognised in their intrinsic dignity and human worth, regardless of their role or professional position.

Any form of discrimination, exclusion, prejudice or behaviour that harms another's dignity is incompatible with the founding principles of Casa Italia Iași. All members — whether founding, ordinary, affiliate, sympathiser or honorary — share equal moral dignity within the community: differences in category reflect organisational and statutory needs, but do not create hierarchies of personal worth.

Culture as the building of the future

Culture is not merely a memory of the past, but a foundation for planning and development — a strategic lever for building the future of the Italian community abroad. Casa Italia Iași promotes cultural, educational and social initiatives aimed at people's conscious growth and at strengthening a sense of belonging, fostering dialogue with the local society and helping spread a living, contemporary and dynamic Italian culture.

Culture is also civic education, social responsibility and the ability to understand the context in which one operates. Shared knowledge builds awareness, strengthens people's autonomy, promotes critical thinking and helps build a community that is solid, cohesive and able to evolve over the long term.

Skills and experience at the community's service

Within the community, diverse and complementary experiences coexist: professionals, managers, entrepreneurs and executives with skills gained in national and international settings, as well as people who bring a wealth of concrete experience, practical knowledge and hands-on insight. Every experience, regardless of role or position, represents a value for the community.

The richness of Casa Italia Iași springs from the meeting of structured expertise and everyday experience, of professional know-how and personal wisdom. The skills present within the Association can be shared, on a voluntary basis, through discussion, mentoring, guidance, training and exchange: knowledge is not a tool for setting people apart, but a responsibility towards the community.

Solidarity and generational continuity

The strength of a community is measured by its ability to create continuity between past, present and future. Casa Italia Iași recognises dialogue between generations as an essential element of balance and growth: the experience of those who have, over time, built a stable path in this territory is a valuable asset, just as the energy, vision and capacity for innovation of younger members drive renewal and development.

Casa Italia Iași promotes intergenerational collaboration through discussion, training activities, joint initiatives and opportunities to exchange skills, so that the cultural and human heritage built up over time is not lost, but passed on and renewed.

Ethics, transparency and good governance

Casa Italia Iași bases its action on the principles of legality, administrative fairness, institutional responsibility and management transparency. Every activity, initiative or decision must be consistent with the Association's statutory aims, oriented towards the collective interest, and in line with the principles of good governance, impartiality and long-term sustainability.

The Association's governing bodies carry out their duties with a sense of responsibility, a spirit of service and collegiality. Decisions must be reasoned, documented and traceable, ensuring clarity in decision-making processes and transparency in the management of economic and organisational resources. Financial management is guided by prudence, accounting rigour and a clear separation between personal and Association interests. Any actual or potential conflicts of interest must be prevented or, where they arise, promptly disclosed and handled impartially.

A sense of belonging and individual responsibility

Being part of Casa Italia Iași means consciously embracing a system of shared values and taking on a concrete commitment to the community. Belonging is not limited to formal membership, but translates into active participation, willingness to engage and responsible contribution to the Association's life — through attending gatherings, collaborating on initiatives, sharing skills, or simply being available to listen and offer mutual support.

The community grows through the personal commitment of each member and the awareness that every individual action helps shape the Association's collective identity, institutional credibility and reputation in the local area.

Relations with institutions, bodies and partners

Casa Italia Iași operates with respect for autonomy, independence and impartiality. In its relations with public institutions, local authorities, diplomatic representations, cultural organisations and private partners, the Association adopts conduct based on fairness, transparency and loyal cooperation. Any form of partnership must be consistent with the Association's values and must not compromise its identity, independence or non-profit nature — any political or commercial exploitation of the Association or its name is excluded.

Managing internal conflicts and incompatible conduct

Casa Italia Iași promotes constructive dialogue as the primary tool for resolving disagreements. Any conflicts between members must be addressed in a spirit of loyal discussion, avoiding attitudes that harm personal dignity or the Association's unity. Conduct seriously incompatible with the principles of this Charter — such as discriminatory, defamatory, manipulative behaviour or conduct contrary to the law — may trigger the procedures set out in the Statute and internal regulations.

Protection of minors and family settings

Where the Association promotes activities aimed at families or minors, Casa Italia Iași is committed to ensuring safe, respectful environments in line with the principles of protecting the person. Every activity must be carried out under conditions that ensure respect, educational care and the safeguarding of participants' dignity. Responsibility towards new generations is a fundamental value of the community.

Communication, use of the name and image protection

The name, logo and identity of Casa Italia Iași form the collective heritage of the associative community. Members' use of the Association's name must be consistent with its statutory aims and may not be used for unauthorised personal, professional or commercial purposes. External communication, including through digital channels and social media, must respect the principles of truthfulness, fairness and responsibility.

Digital responsibility and online conduct

Casa Italia Iași recognises the importance of digital tools as means of communication and connection. Members are asked to use these tools responsibly, avoiding the spread of offensive or discriminatory content, or content that harms the reputation of others or of the Association. Online conduct reflects personal identity and, indirectly, that of the community one belongs to.

Personal data protection and confidentiality

Casa Italia Iași recognises the value of confidentiality and personal data protection as an essential element of trust between the Association and its members. The Association is committed to processing personal data in compliance with current legislation, applying criteria of fairness, lawfulness, transparency and proportionality. Any member who becomes aware of confidential information regarding other members, partners or internal activities is required to keep it confidential.

Final provision

This Charter of Values is a permanent ethical reference for all of Casa Italia Iași's activities and decisions. It accompanies the Statute and reinforces its moral identity, setting out the vision of an Italian community abroad that is cohesive, inclusive, capable, responsible and deeply attentive to the dignity of the person.

Casa Italia Iași is founded on voluntary commitment, the sharing of skills, the equal dignity of its members, and the building of a credible and supportive Italian presence in the Iași area.

The official ethical document accompanying the Association's Statute. The full bilingual text (Italian/Romanian) is also available on the Documents & Forms page.