THE COUNCIL FOR THE UNITED STATES AND ITALY
of Italian immigration to the United States, today’s close relationship dates essentially from the closing years of World War II, when
the United States played a key role in the Allied effort to liberate Italy.
Italian economic and institutional reconstruction was enhanced
by the farsighted Marshall Plan. Italy has gradually emerged
as an important actor in the process of European integration,
in the formulation of a common Western security and defense policy,
and in the increasingly interdependent economic system of the West through its memberships in the European Union, NATO, and the G8.
In this context, Italian foreign policy has reconciled European priorities with a firm commitment to the transatlantic relationship.
As the broad network of US-Italian relations developed ranging widely across the fields of politics, economics, business, science, and culture,
the idea emerged of establishing a private organization to enhance
and broaden cooperation between the two countries, and also
between the United States and Europe.
Thus, a group of prestigious individuals, companies, and organizations from both countries, came together to establish the Counci
l for the United States and Italy at a meeting in Venice in 1983.
Under the leadership of Gianni Agnelli and David Rockefeller,
who
served as honorary chairmen until 2003, the Council increased
its membership and expanded its activities over twenty-five years
of existence.
