The Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy Human Rights Italy 2021 Award was presented to the Ambassador of Italy to the U.S., Mariangela Zappia. Ambassador Zappia was awarded for her commitment to the defense of human rights and the promotion of gender equality. She dedicated the award "to the courage of many women, Afghan women, immigrant women, refugee women and all Italian women who day after day give their valuable contribution to make our society more just, more competitive and happier".

In receiving the award from Kerry Kennedy, Ambassador Zappia pointed out that "working for ideals and priorities of foreign policy in which one believes is a great privilege", expressing gratitude to the Italian Government and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and thanking RFK Human Rights Italia and its president, Stefano Lucchini, for the recognition.

In recalling the legacy left by Senator Robert Kennedy, linked to the vision of a more just and inclusive society, Ambassador Zappia recalled the centrality of the promotion of human rights in the positions he held in diplomacy, representing in the most important fora - from the Human Rights Council, to NATO, to the United Nations - the absolute importance that Italy attributes to the theme of rights and democratic development. A commitment that strongly connotes also the office of Ambassador of Italy in the United States, said Mariangela Zappia.

Also awarded on the same occasion were the Minister for the South and Territorial Cohesion, Mara Carfagna, and the Extraordinary Commissioner for the fight against the COVID emergency, General Francesco Paolo Figliuolo, as well as Italian sport, represented by Undersecretary Valentina Vezzali.