This year, Institute San Carpoforo in Como had the honor of hosting the international summit of the Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation, welcoming students, educators, and guests from different parts of the world for an inspiring experience centered on solidarity, friendship, and the power of small acts of kindness.
At the heart of the Loukoumi initiative lies a simple yet powerful idea: teaching young people that changing the world often begins with one small gesture. Across schools in more than 30 countries, children are encouraged to discover the joy of helping others through concrete acts of service, compassion, and community engagement. Whether supporting local charities, caring for the environment, visiting shelters, or building bridges between cultures, the project inspires students to become active citizens capable of bringing hope and positivity to society. More than an educational program, Loukoumi has become an international movement that places empathy, generosity, and human connection at the center of learning.
For Institute San Carpoforo, being among the member schools of the Loukoumi Make A Difference Foundation represents an important opportunity to strengthen its international outlook and educational mission. An organisation in which our teacher Heshan Dissanayake acted as the International Liaison and organizer of the Summit. This experience beautifully complements the school’s bilingual identity and its Cambridge Programme section, offering students valuable opportunities for intercultural exchange, collaboration, and global citizenship.
As expressed by our students, the summit unfolded as a four-day event filled with meaningful encounters and unforgettable experiences.
“It is a memorable experience that combines fun with the desire to help others, creating moments of sharing, growth, and solidarity.”
The first day began with the welcoming of all participating schools during an aperitif at Canottieri Lario, officially opening this extraordinary international gathering.
On the second day, participants gathered at the Cathedral of Como for Mass before taking part in a guided tour of the city. The group then visited the Valbasca Dog Shelter, where donations of food and funds collected by the students were offered in support of the shelter. Later, at the Como 1907 stadium, students shared lunch and donated footballs while also reading the story of Loukoumi the sheep in both Italian and English. The day continued with a visit to Fondazione Ciechi, where participants discovered the history of the foundation and experienced communication through Braille, before concluding with dinner in Cernobbio.
The third day featured a beautiful boat tour on Lake Como, followed by a barbecue lunch at Istituto San Carpoforo and artistic performances prepared by the participating schools, celebrating creativity, joy, and friendship.
On the final day, students gathered in front of the Chamber of Commerce and had the opportunity to engage with various guests and professionals among them Nicola Corradi (PR Barilla), Camilla Veronelli (PR Como 1907), Laura Federici (Mantero), and Ronaldo Gomez (PR United Nations Geneva), who spoke to us about how everyone can make a difference in different areas of society. Some of the students had the opportunity to be interviewed by teachers from the other schools.
The summit concluded with a gala evening filled with music, dancing, and celebration. For all those involved, these four days represented much more than an international event; they became a living experience of unity, generosity, and hope, demonstrating how young people from different cultures and backgrounds can come together to truly make a difference.
Inspired by the spirit of Loukoumi and the educational vision of St. Marie Eugénie that “To educate is to help each person become capable of transforming society” the summit left behind not only memories and friendships, but also a renewed conviction that young people can become true builders of hope, solidarity, and positive change in the world.
