Italy Awards Sheikhah Intisar Al-Salem Al-Ali the Order of Merit, Rank of 'Commander'

In recognition of her distinguished humanitarian and community contributions, as well as her efforts in empowering women and supporting mental health, the Italian Republic has awarded Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic at the rank of Commander, in an international honor reflecting appreciation for her exceptional humanitarian and societal contributions.

This decoration is Italy’s highest civil order, 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, at an event 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, stated 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, recognizes her generous and steadfast commitment to supporting individuals living in vulnerable social conditions.

Morini added that the honor acknowledges her special attention to Arab women and her numerous humanitarian initiatives, distinguished by her leadership qualities, initiative, and organizational skills—traits 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 could be part of this significant occasion, which honors the distinguished merits of Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah and the contributions 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 exceptional contributions to serving society and humanity.

He noted that this honor 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 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 her most prominent 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 them overcome the effects of trauma, restore self-confidence, strengthen their ability to build more stable lives, and actively participate in their communities.

For her part, Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah expressed her pride in this high recognition from the Italian Republic, which affirms a 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 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 further noted that this recognition marks an important milestone in her journey, 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 clarified that this honor highlights 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 building more stable and cohesive societies.

It is worth noting that Sheikh Entesar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah founded the “Al-Nawar” initiative in 2013 with the aim of spreading a culture of positive thinking and promoting positive behaviors within Kuwaiti society. She later expanded its scope of work in line with a comprehensive developmental vision aligned with the objectives of “New Kuwait 2035,” contributing to the construction of a more aware and sustainable society.

Al-Nawar’s work is centered on several key pillars, including community development, education, health, sustainable livelihoods, 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 also extended to women’s empowerment and leadership skills development. Among its most prominent programs is “Women of the Future,” which focuses on boosting self-confidence, developing leadership capabilities, and enhancing decision-making, communication, and self-expression skills. The program recently graduated 35 participants after a four-month training journey.

Al-Nawar’s initiatives also extend to supporting children and youth and reinforcing humanitarian values through community and sports activities. A notable example is the “Football for Humanity” initiative, launched by Al-Nawar 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 utilizes 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 communication 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 toward building human capacity and enhancing individuals’ ability to contribute to the development of their communities.