The fourth edition of the “Italian Leaders Abroad” conference was inaugurated with a speech by Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. The meeting gave rise to a proposal by Aspen Institute Italia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Education to form a joint task force in order to reinforce the international network of scientists, researchers and companies active in the field of research.
During the meeting, two studies were presented, which were the fruit of a collaboration between members of the European community. The first, “Brain drain, brain exchange and brain circulation” was presented in the first session, “Social capital to support the nation: identity, rules and international standing.” Questions considered included: the necessity of new incentives for attracting human capital; the circulation of researchers through the rejuvenation of the professorial class; ad hoc salary increases for deserving young professors; increased independence for young researchers; reduced job insecurity through a properly defined tenure track; innovative measures such as “Master and back” or “Double appointment”. With regard to university policies, the necessity of complying with a future labor market marked by professionalism and medium-to-high qualifications was stressed. Another area of focus was the need for greater resources in education, above all through investments aimed at the highly innovative fields indicated in Europa2020 and at the interdisciplinary fields which Italian universities – often organized in airtight compartments – aren’t yet able to provide.
The university system, moreover, needs to adopt a foreign policy and a geopolitical strategy in order to connect with the labor market in the productive choices and market niches the country has adopted. It needs to hitch itself to new opportunities for growth, as demonstrated by Italy’s tardiness in attracting BRIC students (8,000 students in Italy versus 46,000 in Great Britain) and its limited representation of foreign professors. The main objective is Italy’s ever-strengthening connection to the wider world – for which a change of pace is needed even in the private sector – through investment in national diversity. This might begin with more variety in gender and background in the boards of directors.
Lastly, a task force was called for that would link the government with a responsibility to prepare a road map with concrete proposals for the circulation of talent.
The second study, “Innovation as a way to increase Italy’s competitiveness”, was presented in the second session, “What human capital is needed to face global challenges?”. The role of innovation in development was discussed in a long-term perspective, identifying Italy’s belatedness compared to other European countries in terms of allocation and optimization of public and private resources. Among the proposals for action – innovation able to contrast the provincialism which has characterized the proliferation of universities, the tax exemption of resources used for research and development and the creation of mentor networks to help new start-ups grow and face an international horizon of dimensional growth – was investment in basic research not quantifiable in the short term but fundamental for achieving long-term innovation.
The conference aimed to embrace the challenge of social and human capital which Italy is currently facing, starting from the various perspectives which characterized the celebrations of 2011. After those of 1911 when Rome-as-capital was a central theme, and those of 1961 which exalted the Italian “miracle”, the common thread of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of Italy’s unification might be found in President Napolitano’s repeated references to the education of the young and the role of schools in constructing a “united and indivisible” Italy. An educational framework capable of forging a more modern country, one aware of its place in the world, was deemed the ultimate key to advancement.
