Right to citizenship

Italian citizen at 18
In 2012, 15.000 children of foreign parents will qualify for Italian citizenship

After turning 18 and before turning 19, young man and women born in Italy from foreign parents are entitled to apply for Italian citizenship, as long as they have been legal residents without interruptions from birth and until their 18th birthday. After turning 19 it is no longer possible to apply for citizenship on this ground, and every year many foreigners, unaware of this possibility, loose their chance. But who are these young persons?
In 2012 there will be approximately 15.000 boys and girls entitled to citizenship: sons and daughters of immigrants, but born in Italy, and speaking perfect Italian, and often even local dialects. They don't even consider themselves as immigrants since never "arrived" in Italy, and have lived here their whole lives. They went to Italian schools and feel Italian, even when with a black skin or almond eyes. They are youngsters who will help to build tomorrow's Italy since their future is strictly connected to this land, since unlike their parents they don't have any other home country to miss. Many of them don't even speak their parents' language, don't follow their traditions, have Italian names, and look at the future with the same ambitions as their Italian counterparts. Their are the much talked about second generation immigrants, to whom the Italian government denies the right of citizenship at birth.
"18 anni... in comune" is the name of the campaign created to remind their rights to apply for citizenship to those who are entitled; it is promoted by ANCI (Associazione Nazionale Comuni Italiani, national association of Italian municipalities) and in collaboration with Save the Children and Rete G2. Purpose of the campaign to prob as many Italian mayors as possible into informing their second generation foreign residents about the ways of obtaining citizenship (by sending a letter to the homes of those in interest).
Rimini municipality has already joined this useful initiative.