Italian citizens abroad maintain cultural, civil and political ties with Italy that the Italian state and Italian citizens themselves wish to safeguard and strengthen.

The Italian State has responded to this need with the decree of two laws: no. 205 in 1985 and no. 172 in 1990. Following these laws was the constitution in each country in which Italians are resident of COM.IT.ES. - Comitati Degli Italiani All'estero (Committee For Italians Abroad). Com.It.Es. are representative bodies that are directly elected by Italians abroad or in countries such as Australia and Canada, are nominated by Consuls after consultation with the Italian community. They are set up near each consular office and near consular agencies in whose constituency there reside at least 3000 Italian citizens, or near a diplomatic mission if in the country there are no first class consular offices.

Com.It.Es. members are appointed for 5 years after which term they are re-eligible. They elect the president, the legal representative of the committee and the person who calls meetings, and an executive committee that must function according to the directives of the committee. Once set up their task is to be the spokesperson for the interests, needs and requests of the Italian community.