The experience gained by Italians around the world, the challenges that will need to be faced to build global skills, and the ability of the national economy to operate as a global actor are all aspects of a single issue, namely: how to make the most of overseas Italian talent. Talented Italians are finding it increasingly easier to emigrate rather than build reasonable career prospects for themselves at home. The participants in this National Conference felt that the reasons for this trend lie in the shortcomings that beset Italy’s economic system, including: the poor capacity of the labor market to absorb highly-trained individuals, employment demand which – in both the public and private sectors – does not match the available supply, and an education system which has difficulty rewarding merit and nurturing excellence.
Various scientific studies, figures and statistics paint a picture of a stagnant country, increasingly less capable than its European counterparts of ensuring the creation of opportunities, the recognition of merit and transparency – all of which are necessary preconditions for sustaining the growth of both individuals and the country as a whole.
Italy has failed to introduce competitive dynamics within its economy and labor market, and does not offer clear paths for growth. Hence, those with real talent are often forced to build on their skills elsewhere. These are people who, once abroad, can end up in high-profile and responsible positions, and who, being capable of great ideas, represent a “positive driving force” that is key to progress.
This leaves Italy at a competitive disadvantage, a situation that could be redressed if the country were to begin to transform the brain drain into brain circulation, which would see the creation of added social and economic value through the exposure to other cultures (that such mobility entails) of human and professional capital. Seen from this perspective, mobility would represent a factor of cultural and professional enrichment which transcends all borders.
The participants stressed, however, that mobility should also be understood as involving the attraction of talent from abroad, which is vital for individual areas of the country to become competitive and in order to underpin the internationalization of Italian businesses. The country’s power of attraction will not merely depend on its educational institutions, but also on there being an integrated range of services – in the areas of accommodation, culture, sports and tourism – aimed at easing the process of settling in, so as to enhance foreigners’ enjoyment of cultural and leisure activities offered by cities and facilitate interaction between foreigners and local socio-economic systems.
Building a network of talented people obviously not only benefits the individuals involved but the country as a whole, which is revitalized through the competition created and enriched through exposure to other cultures and perspectives.
The critical question, it was felt, is whether Italy will actually be capable of instilling an international and intercultural outlook within the various spheres of society, such as in the fields of education and research, the services industry and the public and private sector workplace.
In particular, one of the key areas to be tackled is the Italian public administration, which is characterized by a “culture of red tape rather than resolution” and which has, over the years, contributed to making parts of the system unproductive. A formal legal pedantry prevails which hampers the development of the country and has, paradoxically, reduced lawfulness and legal certainty.
Another major limiting factor is poor knowledge of the English language, which has now become an invaluable passport for interculturalism. Several proposals were put forward by the participants aimed at rapidly improving English language skills, most of which focused on investing in education and training and stepping up mechanisms – such as the Erasmus program – which enable learners to spend time studying abroad.
Finally, the participants emphasized that in order to improve brain circulation, thereby allowing Italians to pursue professional careers that match their capabilities, and to attract talent from abroad, a profound cultural change is needed. This will require a confluence of initiatives – taking in economic regulation, public education and employment policy, the criteria for entry into the various professions, and the structure of career paths in public and private institutions – that enable Italy to make a significant and crucial leap forward in terms of its international outlook, based on openness, cross-cultural exchange, competition and growth.
