Italy Awards Sheikha Intissar Salem Al-Ali Order of Merit

This decoration is the highest civil honor in Italy, awarded by the President of the Italian Republic in recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions across various humanitarian, social, and cultural fields.

The award ceremony took place yesterday, Friday, at an event celebrating the journey of Sheikha Entesar Al-Sabah and her contributions to humanitarian and community work, as well as her continuous efforts in empowering women, supporting mental health, promoting human values, and fostering a culture of positivity and peace.

Lorenzo Morini, the Ambassador of the Italian Republic to Kuwait, told the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Saturday that conferring upon Sheikha 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, recognizes her generous and steadfast commitment to supporting individuals living in vulnerable social conditions.

Morini added that her recognition stems from her special attention to Arab women and her numerous humanitarian initiatives, which are distinguished by her leadership abilities, entrepreneurial spirit, and organizational skills—qualities that have made her a source of inspiration and a reference point for both Kuwaiti society and the international community as a whole.

He expressed pride and honor that the Italian Embassy is part of this important occasion, which honors the distinguished merits of Sheikha Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and highlights how her initiatives have strengthened relations and cooperation between Italy and Kuwait.

He clarified that the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic was established in 1951 and is the highest national merit award in Italy, conferred upon Italian and foreign figures who have made exceptional 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 Sheikha Entesar Al-Sabah, which has placed human empowerment, mental health enhancement, and capacity building at the core of her work. This approach is rooted in 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.

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

For her part, Sheikha Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah expressed her pride in this high distinction from the Italian Republic, which affirms the 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 fostering belief in one’s value and ability to make a positive difference in life.

She thanked the Italian Republic for this honor, describing it as a renewed responsibility and an incentive 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 by giving them the tools to overcome challenges, regain self-confidence, and discover their potential.

She also affirmed that this recognition marks an important milestone in her journey, reflecting the significance of humanitarian and community initiatives launched from 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.

The statement highlighted that this honor underscores the role that humanitarian initiatives can play in building bridges of communication and cooperation among peoples, and in consolidating shared values based on respect for human dignity, safeguarding it, and enhancing individuals’ capacity to contribute to the construction of more stable and cohesive societies.

It is worth noting that Sheikha 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 centered on 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, enhance community responsibility, and contribute to achieving sustainable development.

The initiative’s efforts have extended to areas such as women’s empowerment and the development of leadership skills. Among its most prominent programs is “Women of the Future,” which focuses on boosting self-confidence and developing leadership abilities, decision-making, communication, and self-expression. The program recently graduated 35 participants after a four-month training journey.

Al-Noor’s initiatives also extend to supporting children and youth and promoting humanitarian values through community and sports activities. Among its most notable efforts is the “Football for Humanity” initiative, launched by Al-Noor 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. It employs 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, reflecting the role of sports in building bridges of human communication and enhancing solidarity among peoples.

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