Sermig, an acronym for Servizio Missionario Giovani (Missionary Service for Youth), was born in 1964 from the dream of Ernesto Olivero and his wife Maria. At a time when divisions and conflicts seemed to prevail, the founders chose simply to be Christians, rejecting the notion of adversaries and embracing dialogue, sharing, and service to others as tools to build a more humane and united world.
Over the years, Sermig has launched numerous initiatives and concrete projects. Among these, the musical events organized between 1969 and 1971 featured artists such as Celentano, Al Bano, Romina Power, and Nomadi, events conceived to raise funds and support development projects in various parts of the world. Since 1978, the monthly publication Nuovo Progetto has served as a valuable means to interpret the signs of the times, offering insights that capture the challenges and transformations of society.
A pivotal milestone in Sermig’s history is the experience of sharing expertise. In 1981, the group Re.Te. (Restituzione Tecnologica) was born, an initiative that demonstrates how offering one’s knowledge and professional skills can contribute concretely to community development. On August 2, 1983, another historic moment unfolded with the transformation of a former military arsenal in Turin into the Arsenal of Peace, a symbol of hospitality, civic engagement, and the ability to convert spaces into places for dialogue and solidarity.
At the heart of Sermig beats the Fraternity of Hope, a community of authentic Christians who live their faith with joy, humility, and dedication. Here, the paths of prayer, service, and daily work intertwine with the conviction that nothing truly belongs to us, everything is a gift meant to be shared. Every person, regardless of age or stage in life, is welcomed as a friend and encouraged to put their talent into practice within a context of mutual support and sharing.
The history of Sermig is a continuously evolving journey, fueled by the passion and participation of both young people and adults who, with courage and generosity, transform challenges into opportunities. Today, Sermig stands as a reference point for a Christianity characterized by concrete commitment, dialogue, and solidarity, a Christianity capable of embracing every unforeseen circumstance and restoring hope to those who need it most.