Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity

Contains information from the corresponding article in the Italian Wikipedia

The Order of the Star of Italy (until 2011 known as the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity; Stella della solidarietà italiana) was founded as a national order by the first President of the Italian Republic, Enrico De Nicola, in 1947, to recognise civilian and military expatriates or foreigners who made an outstanding contribution to the reconstruction of Italy after World War II.

In 2011, the order was reformed as the Order of the Star of Italy by the 11th President, Giorgio Napolitano. The emphasis of the reformed award was shifted from post-war reconstruction to the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad, promoting friendly relations and co-operation with other countries and ties with Italy.

Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity (1947-2011)
The insignia, modified in 2001, bore the inscription Solidarietà Italiana encircling a depiction of the Good Samaritan. The order is bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Until February 2011, the three degrees with corresponding ribbons were as follows (with numbers to December 2006):

The Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity was worn as follows:

Order of the Star of Italy (2011-present)
This distinction, which qualifies as a second civilian honor of the State, represents a particular honour on behalf of all those who, Italians abroad or foreign, have acquired special merits in the promotion of friendly relations and cooperation between Italy and other countries and the promotion of ties with Italy. The reasons for granting leave the original connotation of the same post-war award and become more responsive to current realities, whereas, according to the initial setting, it was granted to those who, Italians abroad or foreigners, have especially contributed to the reconstruction of Italy. In particular, the nomination conferring the honor, are considered to have supported the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad, which translates in various activities, such as the promotion of the Italian language, volunteering and charitable, philanthropic activities, participation in community life of our communities abroad, the scientific and technological research, the pastoral missions, commercial enterprises, the promotion of food and wine and service to our countrymen.

A confer it is the President of the Republic at the proposal of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, after consulting the Council of the Order, which shall be chaired by the Minister himself and is composed of four members, one of which is by law the Head of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Republic. A further innovation is the order of the classes, which increased from three to five: Knight Grand Cross, Grand Officer, Commander, Officer and Knight, plus the special class of the Grand Cross of Honour.

A special feature of this decoration is the disappearance of references cruciform or evangelical, replaced by a circular shield of gold, edged in blue and gold emblem bearing a depiction of the Republic at the center and inside edge of the word "STELLA D' ITALIA" in gold letters.

The implementing regulation was issued by the Presidential Decree November 15, 2011, n. 221 and is in force since 28 January 2012.

For the year 2012 was expected to be awarded 400 honors of which:


 * Knight Grand Cross: 10
 * Grand Officer: 60
 * Commander: 70
 * Officer: 100
 * Knight: 160

To these can be added up to 10 grand crosses of honor.

The first awards of the Knight Grand Cross were transferred to Alfio Piva Mesen and Fouad Twal May 2, 2012.

The present classes of the Order from February 2011 are as follows: