Protecting the Youngest Generations

Today, Thursday 20 November, marks the World Children's Day. Established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day, it is celebrated on this date to commemorate the “Declaration of the Rights of the Child” adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 November 1959. It is also the anniversary of the 1989 adoption of the UN “Convention on the Rights of the Child.”

To honor this important observance, Atalanta has organised two dedicated initiatives: the conference “Playing for Childhood, On and Off the Pitch” and the national preview screening of the film “Cattivi Maestri” at the Casa del Giovane. This awareness-raising activity is focused on safeguarding, promoting the protection of minors and fostering a culture of respect within youth communities.

“Playing for Childhood”: Sport and Education United for Children’s Rights

On the evening of Monday, 17 November, the conference “Playing for Childhood, On and Off the Pitch”, promoted by Atalanta and CESVI, brought together more than 180 participants, including parents of young athletes, coaches and representatives of DEAcademy affiliate clubs.

Organised ahead of World Children’s Day, the initiative provided an important platform to discuss the educational role of sport and the shared responsibility of safeguarding minors. Representatives from CESVI and Atalanta contributed to the dialogue.

The evening reiterated how the protection of children requires active collaboration among families, local communities and sports organisations, and how sport can serve as a key environment to foster respect, inclusion and balanced development.

The event also marked the launch of the collaboration between CESVI and Atalanta BC within the DEA Program, aimed at developing new educational initiatives across the territory to benefit young people both on and off the pitch.

Speakers included Gianpaolo Bellini, former Atalanta captain and now part of the Club’s Youth Sector; Roberto Vignola, Deputy General Director of CESVI; Rocco Briganti, Atalanta BC Safeguarding Officer; Francesca Pasciuti, Youth Sector Psychologist; and Martina Quintarelli, Atalanta BC CSR Manager.

The opening photo and the gallery capture key moments from the evening.

Screening of the Film “Cattivi Maestri” at the Casa del Giovane in Bergamo

On Tuesday, 18 November 2025, to mark the World Day for the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence Against Children, Atalanta BC and the Casa del Giovane joined forces to organise an important awareness-raising event involving the Under 18 and Primavera teams, together with coaches, staff and educators.

Promoted by Roberto Samaden, Head of Atalanta’s Youth Sector, the event featured the participation of Corporate General Director Andrea Fabris, who opened the evening and conveyed the Club’s greetings.
The programme centred on the screening—shown for the first time within a sports organisation—of the documentary “Cattivi Maestri”, introduced by director Roberto Orazi and accompanied by the personal testimony of Vincenzo Fuoco, whose story is portrayed in the film.

The documentary recounts Fuoco’s painful experience as a young footballer abused by a sports executive, offering a clear portrait of the power dynamics and vulnerabilities that can arise within sporting environments. Today, Fuoco serves as a federal coach and Child Safeguarding Delegate for the Lombardy coordination of the Youth and School Sector.

The attentive and deeply engaged participation of the young athletes reaffirmed the importance of fostering a culture of prevention and ensuring safe sporting environments, in line with Atalanta’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding.

In the opening photo, from left to right: Lucia Castelli, Educational Psychologist for Atalanta BC’s Youth Sector; Vincenzo Fuoco, protagonist of the documentary; and Andrea Fabris, Corporate General Director of Atalanta BC.

The photo gallery captures key moments from the evening.