Italy Awards Sheikhah Intisar Al-Ali the Order of Merit in Recognition of Her Humanitarian Contributions

The Italian Republic awarded Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, at the rank of Commander, in an international ceremony reflecting appreciation for her distinguished humanitarian and community contributions. This decoration is Italy’s highest civilian honor, conferred by the President of the Italian Republic to recognize outstanding achievements and contributions across various humanitarian, social, and cultural fields.

The award ceremony took place yesterday, Friday, on an occasion celebrating Sheikh Entesar Al-Sabah’s journey and her contributions to humanitarian and community work, as well as her sustained efforts in empowering women, supporting mental health, promoting human values, and fostering a culture of positivity and peace.

Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Saturday, Lorenzo Morini, the Italian Ambassador to Kuwait, said that conferring upon Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah the title of Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, awarded by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, recognized her generous and steadfast commitment to supporting individuals living in precarious social conditions. Morini added that the honor acknowledged her special attention to Arab women and her numerous humanitarian initiatives, which were distinguished by her leadership abilities, initiative, and organizational skills—qualities that have made her an inspiration and a reference point for both Kuwaiti society and the international community.

He expressed pride and honor that the Italian Embassy in Kuwait was part of this important occasion, which honored the distinguished merits of Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and highlighted the contribution of her initiatives to strengthening relations and cooperation between Italy and Kuwait. He clarified that the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was established in 1951 and is Italy’s highest national merit award, conferred upon Italian and foreign figures who have made outstanding contributions to serving society and humanity.

He noted that this recognition comes within the context of a journey rich in humanitarian and community initiatives led by Sheikh Entesar Al-Sabah, which has placed human empowerment, mental health enhancement, and capacity building at the core of her work. This approach stems from her belief that sustainable positive change begins with the individual, and that the most stable and progressive societies are those that invest in the psychological well-being of their members and empower them to realize their potential.

Among the most prominent of these efforts is the Entesar Foundation, established by Sheikh Entesar Al-Sabah to support Arab women affected by war and violence through specialized recovery programs based on psychodrama therapy. These programs help women overcome the effects of trauma, restore self-confidence, strengthen their ability to build more stable lives, and participate actively in their communities.

For her part, Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah expressed her pride in this high distinction from the Italian Republic, which recognized her humanitarian message that real change begins with the individual, and that building more peaceful and stable societies starts with caring for mental health, enhancing capabilities, and reinforcing belief in one’s value and ability to make a positive difference in life. She thanked the Italian Republic for this honor, which she described as a renewed responsibility and motivation to continue working for humanity, promoting a culture of positivity, empathy, and peace, and contributing to building a more humane future for coming generations. She emphasized that humanitarian work is not limited to providing assistance, but extends to empowering individuals and equipping them with the tools they need to overcome challenges, regain self-confidence, and discover their potential.

She also emphasized that this honor marks an important milestone in her career, reflecting the significance of humanitarian and community initiatives launched by the State of Kuwait, whose impact extends beyond its borders, particularly in the fields of women’s empowerment, psychological recovery, and the promotion of a culture of peace and positivity. She noted that this recognition highlights the role that humanitarian initiatives can play in building bridges of communication and cooperation among peoples, consolidating shared values based on respect for human dignity, safeguarding it, and enhancing individuals’ capacity to contribute to the development of more stable and cohesive societies.

It is worth noting that Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah founded the “Al-Noor” initiative in 2013 with the aim of promoting a culture of positive thinking and fostering positive behaviors within Kuwaiti society. The initiative later expanded its areas of work in line with a comprehensive development vision aligned with the objectives of “New Kuwait 2035,” contributing to the building of a more aware and sustainable society. Al-Noor’s work is anchored in several key pillars, including community development, education, health, sustainable employment, and environmental protection, through programs and projects that seek to create long-term positive impact, strengthen community responsibility, and contribute to achieving sustainable development.

The initiative’s efforts have also extended to women’s empowerment and the development of leadership skills, most notably through the “Women of the Future” program, which focuses on boosting self-confidence and developing leadership capabilities, decision-making, communication, and self-expression skills. The program recently graduated 35 participants after a four-month training journey.

Al-Noor’s initiatives also support children and youth and promote humanitarian values through community and sports activities. A prominent example is the “Football for Humanity” initiative, launched under the leadership of Al-Noor and in partnership with international and diplomatic entities, including the Italian Embassy in Kuwait. The first edition of the initiative carried a humanitarian message of solidarity with Palestinian children, using football as a means to consolidate values of cooperation, respect, tolerance, and responsibility, while promoting the concept of a safe and positive sports environment for children, thereby reflecting the role of sports in building bridges of human connection and enhancing solidarity among peoples.

These projects reflect Sheikh Entesar Al-Sabah’s vision of leveraging humanitarian and community initiatives to create an impact that transcends the boundaries of activities and programs, reaching the ultimate goal of building human capacity and enhancing individuals’ ability to contribute to the development of their communities.