| Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity | |
| Type: | National Order |
| Grades: | Grand Officer Commander Member |
| Eligibility: | Expatriates and foreign nationals |
| Status: | Extant |
| Established: | 27 January 1947 |
| Higher: | Order of Merit for Labour |
| Lower: | Order of Vittorio Veneto |
Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity should not be confused with Colonial Order of the Star of Italy.
The Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity (Italian: Stella della solidarietà italiana pronounced as /it/) was founded as a national order by the first President of the Italian Republic, Enrico De Nicola, in 1947, to recognise civilian and military expatriates or foreigners who made an outstanding contribution to the reconstruction of Italy after World War II.[1]
In 2011, the order was reformed as the Order of the Star of Italy by the 11th President, Giorgio Napolitano.[2] The emphasis of the reformed award was shifted from post-war reconstruction to the preservation and promotion of national prestige abroad, promoting friendly relations and co-operation with other countries and ties with Italy.
The insignia, modified in 2001, bore the inscription Solidarietà Italiana encircling a depiction of the Good Samaritan.[3] The order was bestowed by decree of the President of the Republic, head of the order, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The three degrees with corresponding ribbons were as follows:
| Ribbon (1947 - 2001) | Ribbon (2001 - 2011) | Class (English) | Full title in Italian | Awards (as of December 2006) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Class / Grand Officer | Grande Ufficiale dell'Ordine della Stella della solidarietà italiana | 643 | ||
| 2nd Class / Commander | Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella della solidarietà italiana | 3,415 | ||
| 3rd Class / Member | Membro dell'Ordine della Stella della solidarietà italiana | 6,507 | ||
The Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity was worn as follows: