YOUMANITY FOUNDER ANGELO IUDICE AWARDED THE PRESTIGIOUS OMRI KNIGHTHOOD
We are thrilled to announce that Angelo Iudice, Founder and Chair of Youmanity, has been appointed Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana.
We are thrilled to announce that Angelo Iudice, Founder and Chair of Youmanity, has been appointed Cavaliere dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (OMRI)—the Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. Conferred by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, this prestigious state honour recognizes Angelo’s lifelong commitment to social inclusion, and his dedication to supporting the Italian community abroad.
For decades, Angelo has been a beacon of leadership and philanthropy. However, the true essence of this knighthood lies within the remarkable, boundary-pushing projects he spearheaded over the last decade—pivotal initiatives that directly led the Italian State to bestow its highest honor upon him.
Where Crime Prevention Meets Empathy
Long before Youmanity’s awareness campaigns ever began, Angelo’s vision was shaped by his professional career as a Crime Analyst within the Intelligence Department of New Scotland Yard. Supporting police operations combatting harrowing fields such as child sexual exploitation, serial sexual offenses, and human trafficking, Angelo’s work highlighted a crucial societal flaw: the lack of inclusion and social integration is often the root cause behind the criminal paths of vulnerable youth.
Wishing to help prevent crime through empathy and human connection, Angelo pivoted towards philanthropy. In 2008, he founded Accademia Apulia, a non-profit network creating professional synergies for young talents. Later, in 2015, alongside the support of the Italian Consul General Massimiliano Mazzanti, he founded Youmanity to scale up this fight for social integration and human rights on a more international level.
The Pivotal Projects that Earned the Knighthood
Amongst dozens of acclaimed initiatives, several landmark projects stand out as the pillars of Angelo’s OMRI recognition:
1. Breaking Taboos: The World's First Meditation Train (2021)
In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, Angelo shifted Youmanity’s focus intensely toward mental health and suicide prevention. On October 6, 2021, Youmanity achieved a spectacular global first by launching the "Inner Journey" project on London’s Docklands Light Railway (DLR). Transforming 9 train carriages into immersive, nature-wrapped meditation pods and pairing them with a free mindfulness app, Youmanity brought solace to millions of isolated commuters. The project received phenomenal acclaim from global media giants like The Independent and The New Yorker, establishing a new paradigm for urban mental wellbeing.
2. Parliamentary Acclaim: The "Friend-Ship" Campaign (2019-2022)
To combat loneliness—the dangerous precursor to mental decline—Angelo launched the Friend-Ship Photography Award. Drawing powerful human stories from 52 countries, the campaign highlighted friendship as a vital, life-saving asset.The project was so impactful that it received the prestigious Gold Community Award, presented directly to Angelo by Minister James Cleverly at the Palace of Westminster, where twenty striking photographs from the Friend-Ship collection were later exhibited within the Commons' Upper Waiting Hall.
3. Illuminating the Invisible: "This-Ability" (2018)
Long before neurodivergence and hidden disabilities became mainstream topics, Angelo was championing them. Sourced from 38 countries and exhibited at London’s City Hall, the This-Ability Photography Award challenged global audiences to look past the "blue wheelchair symbol" and truly comprehend the intricate complexity of invisible disabilities.
4. Forging Peace: "Stories di Friendship" (1943-1945)
Earning the High Patronage of Italian President Giorgio Napolitano and the backing of Amnesty International, this project was a masterpiece of historical preservation. After three years of deep research in the Imperial War Museum, Angelo curated over 100 unpublished photographs showcasing acts of brotherhood and solidarity between British soldiers and Apulian citizens during World War II, proving that humanity can flourish even in the darkest times.
As a general coordinator, Angelo led a pioneering educational method across six European countries (including Italy, Ireland, and Greece) to help rescue vulnerable youth at risk of early school leaving. The European Commission rated the project as "Excellent," validating Angelo’s theory that integration between schools, families, and social care drastically alters a young person's destiny.Sharing the Honour: A Note from the Knight
Reflecting on his investiture, Angelo Iudice expressed profound humility and extended the merit to the collective community:
"Receiving the title of Cavaliere is a moment of immense pride and gratitude toward the nation. However, this award belongs above all to the incredible volunteers who have walked beside me through the years. Without their tireless enthusiasm, devotion, and shared belief in equal rights, none of these projects would have seen the light of day. This Knighthood belongs to all of us."
Now back at his roots in Italy, Angelo continues to implement empathy-driven workshops in schools, using digital animation and creative writing to teach young teenagers the power of inclusion.
Every educational and artistic milestone built by Angelo over the last decade stands as proof that professional excellence, when fueled by genuine love for one's fellow human being, can truly move nations.
To look back at the cinematic journey of Youmanity’s projects, explore our official video archive—which has welcomed over 2 million viewers—at youtube.com/youmanity.
