From a Brazilian working in Turin as a web user-experience consultant:

November 4th, 2008: about 200 million Americans have an appointment to make a choice that will affect the lives of around 6 billion people. Yes, the entire world. Are they forgetting it? I hope not.

For a long time the American presidents have been acting also like “world chiefs.” More than dictating rules, the US has always set the example to be followed. Now the world is eager for change. Will the US once more set the example? That’s the Italian hope.

During the beginning of this week, I collected opinions from some Italians in cities like Turin, Rome and Milan. All of them – without exception – hope that Obama wins. Why? “Because he’s a symbol,” “because it’s time to change,” “because the world deserves peace.”

The Italian media is doing its job fairly well: to Italians, the coverage of the election is sufficient – at least to know some of the candidates’ policies and develop an opinion.

Most Italians discuss the elections with families and friends (while sipping an espresso) and follow the news using more than one source: internet, newspaper and TV are the favourites. In fact, at the website of the most important Italian newspapers you can find special sections about the elections: the candidates, the proposals, the speeches, etc.

In a world full of fear, for Italians Obama is a promise of international relations based on trust. But most of them think Italy-US relation won’t change after the elections: “Italy was always in harmony with the American presidents, so it won’t change.” Their hope lies at a lower level: “This could change the Italian public opinion about politics!”

Yes, Italy is for Obama. And the entire country manifests it: gathering people, connecting ideas on the Internet, doing meetings, protests and… singing!

Now you ask me…where is the singing?

Well, I thought you’d never ask! Check it out on YouTube!

November 5, 2008: Once the election happened during Italian night, today everybody woke up anxious about the news. They turned on the TV, read the news on the internet or chatted during breakfast at their usual bar.

When I arrived at work, the first person I met was Matthew, the American guy who works here with us. Excited, he didn’t sleep a minute during all the night and was smiling... a relief smile.

There won’t be a chat today here without talking about the elections, about Obama’s victory. Even the business calls today are beginning with “Did you see the results?”

Italians hope that this change is just the first step to the peace.

Change. Peace. I've been reading and listening those words in all discussions about the US elections. But I asked myself... and now I add this question here: “Why should we delegate to the American people the responsibility of changing the entire world?”

Please don’t misunderstand me: I’m very happy too! Yesterday I was for Obama and I’m still for him. But why can’t we also think about little “changes” that will help the big one?

I am for Obama. But I am also for everybody that has the initiative to raise the hand and ask a question during the classes, for everybody that has the courage to ask “What can I learn from you?”… just like Obama does.