Società Umanitaria

History

The Humanitarian Society is one of Milan's longest-standing institutions. It was founded thanks to the determination and mission of Jewish international merchant and enlightened patron, Prospero Moisè Loria. In 1892, he decided to bequeath his considerable assets (over ten million lire of the time) to ensure that the newly established Humanitarian Society – to be managed by Milan Municipal Authority – was engaged in every possible way in "helping the underprivileged become independent, providing them with support, employment and education, and more generally working to achieve the best educational and socio-cultural development in every sector of individual and collective life."

From its founding, the philanthropic institution's secretary was Osvaldo Gnocchi-Viani, promoter of the first Chamber of Labour in Milan. Reformist politicians and intellectuals like Filippo Turati, Emilio Caldara, and above all brothers Ugo and Giulio Pisa, dedicated women like Alessandrina Ravizza and Maria Montessori, professionals like Alessandro Mazzucotelli, Eugenio Quarti, Alfredo Ravasco, artists from Arturo Toscanini to Victor de Sabata, all pledged their support.

The Humanitarian Society became effective in 1902, after a long legal battle, and was not without hostility toward its mission to promote social justice.

Thanks to its positive achievements, the Humanitarian Society was an important experiment in Italian social and political life for over twenty years. Its officers were elected in public assemblies, and their declared intention was to combine assistance and training for employment, social commitment and education, emancipation and culture, thereby growing "basic charity into fruitful constructive support." …

The Humanitarian Society School

The Humanitarian Society School for "arts and trades" was and still is a historical branch of the Humanitarian Society, even today, in its headquarters in Via Daverio, behind Milan's Palazzo di Giustizia. The school was the forerunner to Monza's famous ISIA, established in 1922.

The first president of the School was lawyer Luigi Majno, a member of the educated Milanese bourgeoisie. From 1913 to 1924, he was succeeded by his vice-president, Senator Luigi Della Torre, a private banker and co-owner of the Zaccaria Pisa bank, also active in Milanese public life. Augusto Osimo was designated general manager for two decades. Notable modernist designer Enzo Mari taught at the school in the 1970s.

The Humanitarian Society founded by Prospero Moisè Loria continues its activities today, still pursuing the original statutory purpose, which was to "enable the underprivileged, without distinction, to achieve a situation in which they could help themselves, and to work for the professional, intellectual and moral advancement of workers".