A book has just been published in Italy that describes the history and current state of networks and mechanisms of knowledge 

Staying informed to live in greater awareness. And decide with lucidity and care. This much is essential for us all. In the era of digitally enhanced speed, however, information is both a useful tool and capable of sowing confusion (and perhaps also an insidious means of coercion). So, staying informed, yes, but with caution – aware that the line between information and disinformation is becoming increasingly blurred. And, to that end,  Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI (which has just come out in Italy) should be recommended reading for all of us.

Harari begins with a statement of fact: on the one hand, in the last hundred thousand years, humans have accumulated enormous power, comprising scientific and technological discoveries, inventions and achievements. However, we now find ourselves in an unprecedented existential and environmental crisis, a scenario where information plays a key role and disinformation is rampant. We are jumping headfirst into the age of artificial intelligence – a new information network that threatens to annihilate us. The author of Nexus therefore asks why humankind has become so self-destructive and what the past and present role of information plays in all this.

Nexus invites the reader to look through the lens of human history to consider how the flow of information has shaped us. Starting with the Stone Age and taking in the canonisation of the Bible, the witch hunts of the early modern age, Stalinism, Nazism and today’s resurgence of populism, Yuval Noah Harari asks the reader to consider the complex relationship between information and truth, bureaucracy and mythology, wisdom and power. The book explores how different societies and political systems throughout history have used information to achieve their goals – for better or worse. And it equips the reader with greater awareness in facing the urgent choices that we all must make today. It does so by taking us on a journey that starts from history to look at the mistakes made and the decisions that have been taken and their effects, before going on to further explore the current state of the information networks in which we are all immersed and, finally, the decisions that humanity has faced.
Harari’s message is that information is not the raw material of truth or a simple weapon. Nexus explores the middle ground between these extremes and, in doing so, rediscovers our shared humanity.

Nexus. A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI

Yuval Noah Harari

Bompiani, 2024

An intervention by the Governor of Italy’s Central Bank is an example of a lucid analysis of reality that helps citizens and firms

Having to hand the most reliable description possible of the current reality and, as such, being able to make careful and prudent choices; that is, using knowledge to decide, to reference a statement made decades ago by Luigi Einaudi. This guidance is perhaps more valid now than ever. For this reason, it is instructive to read – and carefully – the speech by the Governor of the Bank of Italy, Fabio Panetta, as part of the “Travelling with the Bank of Italy” series of events, dedicated in particular to the economy of the country’s southern regions.

Eppur si muove: l’economia del Mezzogiorno dopo la crisi (And Yet it Moves: the Post-Crisis Economy of the South), from September 19, 2024, is a lucid account of the evolution of the economy and the results of southern Italy compared to the rest of the country. It is an account that counters false information – namely that the south is unable to achieve good economic results. Of course, the gap remains, but Panetta illustrates how in recent times “the expansion of the southern economy” has begun to emerge and make itself felt. The Governor writes: “In the period following the pandemic, the south achieved better results than the entire Italian economy”.  Positive signs, often much more positive than those coming from the centre and north, have been recorded across all economic, social and institutional sectors of the south.

Panetta warns: “These positive trends must be taken with caution. They are indications, not proof, of a possible improvement in the competitiveness of the southern economy. They could also be temporary or episodic in nature, and would in any case be insufficient to bridge the profound territorial gaps that I described above. At the same time, we cannot neglect them. They show the existence of development potential in the south that could be unleashed with the appropriate policies.” In other words, this implies not only a significant focus on the topic but significant commitment to “ensuring the recovery continues (…) by supporting and strengthening these trends”. What is needed is good politics, careful institutions and good businesses, women and men aware of their role and the commitment required. Obviously there remains much to do.

Fabio Panetta’s speech contains a great lesson: the value of knowing reality, which then becomes an instrument for responsible choices, but also for development.

Eppur si muove: l’economia del Mezzogiorno dopo la crisi (And Yet it Moves: the Post-Crisis Economy of the South)

Fabio Panetta

In viaggio con la Banca d’Italia Il polso dell’economia – il Mezzogiorno (Travelling with the Bank of Italy The Pulse of the Economy – the South*)

Catania, September 19 2024

In these contentious and troubling times, it is worth seeking out some words full of meaning and wisdom. One could, for example, revisit Italo Calvino, who said: “Direct your attention solely towards challenging tasks, executed flawlessly, tasks that demand effort; be wary of ‘slapdashery’, of doing things just for the sake of it. Aim for precision in both your speech and your actions.”

These words are from an interview conducted in 1981 with Alberto Sinigaglia for Rai 3, as part of the series “Twenty Years to Two Thousand” (“Vent’anni al Duemila”), published as a book under the same title the subsequent year. Recently, Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi echoed these sentiments in his Sunday column for IlSole24Ore (29 September), in an entry titled “Slapdashery” (“Faciloneria”):  “These incisive words… resonate even more today, over forty years on, in an era where technology appears to have made everything straightforward, convenient and seemingly easy. This is the very precipice where one might easily tumble into ‘slapdashery’, swiftly followed by a host of related tendencies, including superficiality, approximation, triviality and recklessness.”

Ravasi continues: “Language itself is often a spontaneous stream of words that eludes all control and certainly any fine-tuning; operational decisions are made without due consideration; thought arises without reflection. As soon as a challenging path emerges – one that demands sweat, patience and effort – we retreat to the valley and its gentler routes.”

In summary, “both the family and school education systems are geared towards requiring the bare minimum; woe betide anyone who suggests a disciplined and dedicated lifestyle, along with rigorous and persistent study; the very notion of sacrifice is shunned, making way for all that is ‘now’.” And all that is ‘now’ often lacks both wisdom and elegance, in thought and in style. However, aesthetics and ethics are deeply interconnected.

Here is the crux of the matter: to confront the superficiality of a world dominated by rash and purely emotional judgements, pervasive ignorance, and the inclination, so cherished by social media, to reduce the complexity of human actions and relationships to the triviality of likes and emojis, it is vital to revert to the meaningful use of words, to the depth of reasoning found within a well-articulated argument, and to the pages that compel us to think critically, steering clear of rhetoric and propaganda. We must turn, therefore, to the robust foundation of culture, and to the critical understanding of science.

It is essential to first instil in children the value of reading, both at home and at school, by establishing a culture where books are fundamental for the joy of exploration and the delight of discovering new things.

A tough task? Less so than you might imagine. To see for yourself, simply observe the well-designed and furnished spaces bustling with happy children in the most enlightened and discerning bookshops. Whatever the case may be, this is essential for those who want the brightest future for our children and grandchildren.

So it is difficult, then? Yes. But so what?

Alternative pages offer advice, such as those in the “Letter to Children” presented as a poem within Gianni Rodari’s “Words to Play” (Parole per giocare): “It’s hard to do / the difficult things / to speak to the deaf / reveal the rose to the blind / Children, learn / to do the difficult things / extend a hand to the blind / sing to the deaf / liberate the slaves / who believe themselves to be free.” This last quotation comes from 1979, nearly half a century ago, but now seems almost prophetic to us when considering the obliviousness characterising the relationship millions have with digital tools and social media.

Calvino and Rodari were effective educators, imparting lessons in literature and the values of sound cultural and civil education. Similarly, Primo Levi, through his writings, conveyed the harrowing memories of the Holocaust and the beauty of mechanics (‘The Wrench’) as well as the elegance of science (‘The Periodic Table’). Of course there are so many other women and men, who have conveyed the narrative of their own journeys of discovery (delving into both the heart’s depths and the soul’s core), of entrepreneurship, creativity, and life experiences (encompassing the understanding of pain) through words and images. These are masters of multi-layered language, of memory and thus of the future. Their words are worth revisiting and using as inspiration for further journeys of thought. They are dialectical words, reflective of an open society. In essence, they encourage us to see society as a whole, as a prerequisite for understanding any specific area of knowledge. One must broaden one’s perspective in order to delve deeply and effectively.

Where, exactly, does the meaning of a man’s life lie? It is in what is spoken, written, and done. It is in the experience of love, in the friendships cultivated and reciprocated. It is in being a father, both to children and to ideas. It is in one’s creations. It is in the traces, no matter how faint and fleeting, that we leave on the lives and fates of others. It is in the lessons learned and passed on. And it is in the intentions that continue to inspire us, even as the years advance. There is always a good time to be alive.

Thus, the insightful words of Don Lorenzo Milani come to mind regarding knowledge: “The boss knows a thousand words. The worker knows a hundred. That’s why he is the boss.” This was the stark reality of the 1960s. Yet, the message is unmistakable: imbalances in language use stem from one’s social status and contribute to the entrenchment of the divide. Indeed, it is the spread of knowledge that bears the responsibility to attempt to bridge, or at least narrow, disparities in power, wealth, and opportunities. School serves as the principal mechanism for social mobility (or lifelong learning, as we would term it today). The Italian Constitution aptly highlights its fundamental nature, even at a time when digital transformations present novel challenges to those endeavouring to chart new pathways for sustainable growth and improved social and cultural equilibria.

AI tools effortlessly provide those who are technologically equipped with a multitude of word combinations. They build arguments and infuse knowledge with new elements. They tools generate pages with syntax, coherence and meaning. However, they require activation through questions, i.e. with verbal processes rich in significance and viewpoints. And there must be an understanding of the logical and cultural mechanisms that underpin the creation of digital connections. While innovation presents extraordinary opportunities, it also introduces new challenges and disparities that we must strive to surmount.

This journey also leads us back to the crucial importance of understanding the relevant words, not only for those who prompt AI systems but also for users and consumers. It is a challenge that goes beyond technological advancement – a matter of critical awareness. In essence, it concerns the very heart of democracy.

(Photo Getty Images)

A collection of research seeks to shed light on the relationships between innovation and new jobs

Working in the digital era is a complex issue, both contractually and legally. We must consider how rules apply to new work forms from various perspectives. To address this, Fiorella Lunardon, a labour law professor at the University of Turin, and Emanuele Menegatti, her counterpart in Bologna, have led a number of research projects. These are compiled in “I nuovi confini del lavoro: la trasformazione digitale” (“The New Boundaries of Work: Digital Transformation”).

The collection contains eight insights that explore how digital transformations affect the world of work from various angles. This leads into a number of reflections on the role of lawmakers in regulating these changes, as well as the contributions of social partners and workers, to ensure a fair digital transition.

Following an introduction linking digital innovation and employment law, the analysis moves on to explore collective bargaining and then examines Spain’s approach to regulating the intersection of digital technologies and professions. The discussion proceeds to consider the “digitalised enterprise” and the German model related to trade union regulations. The final section of the study investigates the impact of digitalisation on working hours and offers two detailed studies on the role of Artificial Intelligence.

The editors’ reading of this phenomenon aims to understand the impact of digital technologies with a human-centred approach that is also robust enough to adapt to ongoing changes. Lunardon and Menegatti’s research may be a challenging read, but it is essential to get to grips with the evolving nature of work and its regulations.

I nuovi confini del lavoro: la trasformazione digitale

Fiorella Lunardon, Emanuele Menegatti (eds.)

Italian Labour Law and-Studies, Department of Sociology and Business Law, Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, 2024

A newly republished and updated book provides a good guide to the topic

Work is fundamental to production and, more broadly, to human growth. It represents dedication and effort, a means to achieve an aim, a source of strain, or a path to freedom. Work, at any rate, endures. Over centuries, it has sparked theories, revolutions, demands, conflicts and ideologies. We must bear this context in mind when exploring “Il lavoro. Dalla rivoluzione industriale alla transizione digitale” (Work: From the Industrial Revolution to the Digital Transition) by Guido Cavalca, Enzo Mingione, and Enrico Pugliese, which has been recently updated and reissued.

The updated release reflects the fact that, in recent years, there have been fast and radical changes in the nature of work due to the digital revolution and the reshaping of globalisation. Thus, recounting the history of work from the industrial era to the present demands a thorough review of its most recent developments. The book examines these shifts and sets out a framework for studying emerging social strains in the job market and work organisation. The authors depict a scene of increasing inequalities, vanishing jobs and skills, and the rise of new roles. To comprehend these trends, we must not only consider the present but also recall the journey taken through the ages.

Cavalca, Mingione and Pugliese offer a historical and comparative perspective on classic themes like work division, Taylorism, and conditions in Fordist factories, as well as the development of social safety nets, emerging forms of job insecurity and temporary work, trade unions, and industrial disputes. The book also includes recent employment statistics for Italy and Europe,

focusing on the experiences of young people and women, and addressing issues related to international migration and severe labour exploitation.

Cavalca, Mingione and Pugliese’s book is an excellent guide through the history of a concept and aspect of human endeavour that continues to evolve.

Il lavoro. Dalla rivoluzione industriale alla transizione digitale

Guido Cavalca, Enzo Mingione, Enrico Pugliese

Carocci, 2024

Milan’s residents are bit more stressed out and a lot more worried: amid rising anxiety due to rocketing living costs, particularly for housing, and a growing sense of insecurity from thefts, robberies, muggings and assaults.

Indeed, in his latest film, “Ricomincio da Taaac”, the YouTuber Germano Lanzoni (known as “Il milanese imbruttito” – the “Typical Stressed-Out Milanese Guy”), tackles the fresh strains of city life marked by frenetic pace and increasingly tough living conditions, alongside troubling social problems. While in his film “Mollo tutto e apro un chiringuito” (“I’m Quitting to Open a Beach Bar”), Lanzoni became obsessed with chasing money, now the comedian portrays a character sacked due to a dubious and somewhat deceitful corporate “green” initiative. He experiences the dread of unstable work, takes on the role of a delivery rider, and fruitlessly hunts for a decent flat to rent (the last offer is a tiny plastic playhouse: “Do I look like Snoopy to you?”, he quips to the estate agent).

We may laugh, enjoying the sharp wit, yet we also see our reflection in this absurdity and grow concerned about the potential negative trajectory of everyday life and the future of a city once cherished for its blend of competitiveness and hospitality, productivity, and social inclusion.  Today, however, it is seen with weary eyes by an increasing number of disoriented citizens who wonder, “What am I doing here?”.

Shifting from films to facts – and from parody to genuine opinions forming in public sentiment – the image of Milan demands political and administrative action, spanning decisions involving both the city’s leaders and those governing Italy as a whole.

A study Makno carried out for IULM University on Milan’s quality of life reveals that the participants (2,400 adults questioned from July to September) are generally content with cultural events and public transport, yet concerned about living costs, safety, the environment and healthcare (Corriere della Sera, 17 September).

Looking more closely, satisfaction among Milan residents is falling, from a score of 7.8 in 2020 and 6.2 last year to just 5.9 now. The city is becoming more anxious and less tolerant of what’s often termed “imbruttimento” – the relentless stress, hustle and bustle of city life.

Mario Abis, President of Makno, comments: “The pandemic has shifted our mood; we’ve become more wary and anxious, not just about our own city. Yet Milan, which did so well during the Expo, is now one of the cities falling back the most. The proportion of people wanting to leave has risen above 20%, a figure we last saw a decade ago.”

The main worries are prices and living costs, concerning 90% of people surveyed, followed by safety at 86%. Social interaction and mental health worry 48%, healthcare 45%, and traffic, green spaces, and environmental issues 35%. Lastly, culture and job prospects both register at 17%. In essence, Milan offers solid work and good learning and leisure prospects, but residents feel their quality of life has dipped and they have concerns about safety and preserving their lifestyle.

Another hotly debated league table is “IlSole24Ore’s” crime index (16 September). Based on the number of reported crimes in 2023, Milan tops the list of Italian provinces with 7,000 reports per 100,000 people (2023 data), including a rise in thefts and robberies. Rome, however, leads in total crime numbers with 254,000 incidents, surpassing Milan and its province’s 230,000.The data has sparked political arguments. The centre-right claims Milan is unsafe, blaming Mayor Beppe Sala. In response, the mayor and his team argue that maintaining public order falls to the Interior Ministry and the national government. They insist Milan is far from being Gotham City and highlight the council’s focus on housing, integration and tackling social issues.

Putting debate to one side, there are a few points to consider. Firstly, the index is based on the number of crime reports, showing that people in Milan seek police protection more often than those in other cities. Secondly, the Prefecture and Police Headquarters have shown that crime in Milan, especially murders, is on the decline, but this fact doesn’t ease worries. Lastly, the “perceived insecurity” felt by Milan’s residents is a real issue for local and national leaders, who must provide clear and visible reassurance to the public.

Milan is also an ageing city with 1.373 million residents, of whom 305,000 are over 65. It’s grappling with rising loneliness: 57% of households are single-person, and another 20% have just two people. Social problems, both new and old types of poverty, as well as widening social, cultural and technological divides, and a sense of isolation, are intensifying feelings of instability and vulnerability. The city is struggling to cope with sharp social changes.

Milan therefore needs a clear strategy for public order and a set of actions that reassure citizens of their safety and the improved livability of their area. Safety is part of well-being.In these challenging times, fraught with tensions from geopolitical shifts and global conflicts, the desire to feel secure at home, in one’s neighbourhood, and in one’s city grows stronger: it’s an economic, social, and cultural imperative, a vital challenge for fostering solidarity and inclusivity, and a key aspect of for a good quality of life. This is what Milan needs in order to maintain its identity – productive and hospitable, competitive and compassionate – as a city worth living in, growing in, and investing in for a brighter future. A city far from being “stressed out”.

(photo Getty Images)

The prize-giving ceremony for the sixty-second edition of the Premio Campiello took place on Saturday 21 September, at the Teatro La Fenice in Venice. The event was hosted by Francesca Fialdini and Lodo Guenzi, with musical intermissions by Luca Barbarossa, and broadcast live on RAI 5.

The novel chosen by the Jury of Three Hundred Readers was “Alma” by Federica Manzon, published by Feltrinelli. The author received the “Vera da Pozzo”, a replica of a traditional Venetian puteal (well-head) and the emblem of the prize, symbolising the “Campiello”.

For more details about the winning book, you can watch the interview conducted by the Pirelli Foundation on this page.

During the final evening of the Premio Campiello, Antonio Calabrò, director of the Pirelli Foundation, and Enrico Carraro, president of Fondazione Il Campiello, presented awards to the winners of the third edition of the Campiello Junior. Angelo Petrosino won with his novel Un bambino, una gatta e un cane, published by Einaudi Ragazzi, while Daniela Palumbo received the prize for the 11–14 age category with her La notte più bella, published by Il Battello a Vapore.

You can also watch the Pirelli Foundation interviews with the Campiello Junior winners on this page.

To stay informed about upcoming Campiello Junior events, follow us on this site and on the Foundation’s social media channels.

A dissertation presented at the University of Padua tackles the subject of corporate law and ESG

A company does not live only on its profit, even if a positive bottom line and sound financials are necessary for any reputable firm. In other words, the success of a production organisation is not solely determined by its financial performance. This notion might appear self-evident today, yet, in truth, it is not universally acknowledged. It was with these thoughts in mind that Irene Scanferla conducted her research, which subsequently evolved into her thesis, “Stakeholders and Corporate Governance: Integrating ESG Factors into Company Law,” defended at the University of Padua.

Scanferla, in particular, begins by noting that traditional company law stipulates that directors should pursue the corporate interest, which largely aligns with the interests of both shareholders and the company itself. However, she observes that the growing importance of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria has reached a point where directors can no longer afford to overlook them in the performance of their duties. The challenge, as she sees it, lies in the fact that upon reviewing the Italian Civil Code, one finds it lacks guidance on this matter, especially with regards to whether and how the (often conflicting) interests of parties other than shareholders and corporate creditors – collectively referred to as stakeholders – should be taken into account by directors. Hence, her work charts a course towards potential resolutions for this issue.

The study initially focuses on the economic and legal challenges presented by this issue, then explores the definition and nuances of ESG criteria, and ultimately seeks to mediate a fair “compromise among the various interests” at stake.

In her concluding remarks, Irene Scanferla observes: ”It is crucial to acknowledge that generating value which transcends the financial dimension presents a complex challenge, one that, at least currently, not every company can meet. There is no definitive solution to this issue (…) yet numerous strategies are available for society and consumers to implement, fostering change. However, such change can only come to fruition when all stakeholders recognise the value they are capable of creating through collaboration and mutual engagement.”

Portatori di interessi e governance della società: l’integrazione dei fattori ESG all’interno del diritto societario

(Stakeholders and corporate governance: Integrating ESG factors into company law)

Irene Scanferla

Thesis, University of Padua Department of Economics and Management “M. Fanno” Department of Private Law and Law Criticism, 2024

A book illustrating the importance of failing well has been published in Italy.

To err and grow: viewing mistakes as a resource, as a chance to make significant advances in knowledge and experience. The concept of “failing well” and the ability to learn from one’s errors is crucial, not only in personal growth but also within the realms of economics and organisational management. It’s a question of cultural mindset, rather than management of production or labour. Amy C. Edmondson’s “Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well”, recently translated into Italian as “Il giusto errore. La scienza di fallire bene”, is therefore well worth a read.

The book begins with an undeniable observation: in a society obsessed with success and the worship of outcomes, the concept of failure is particularly daunting. Between those who go to great lengths to evade it and those who encourage embracing it wholeheartedly, constantly striving to conquer it, the way individuals and organisations perceive failure has become muddled. The recognition of mistakes as opportunities for growth has, in most instances, been lost.

In this book, winner of the Financial Times and Schroders Business Book of the Year Award 2023, Amy Edmondson introduces readers to the concept of “failing well”. The book is the culmination of decades of research and practical experience in organisational behaviour, during which Edmondson has gathered data from a corporations, government bodies, startups, schools and hospitals. The central goal of the book is the development of frameworks that not only identify a novel category of failure but also delineate best practices for managing and learning from it.

The book provides a foundation for understanding, discussing and applying the concept of “failing wisely”. This may seem like a contradiction, but it actually represents the transformation of mistakes into opportunities for growth, as previously mentioned. Edmondson categorises failure into three archetypes: elementary, complex, and intelligent. She then demonstrates how to reduce counterproductive errors and maximise the benefits that can be gleaned from any kind of mistake. The book teaches readers how individuals and organisations can accept human fallibility, discern when failure can be a “friend”, and prevent most situations where it would be detrimental.  “Failing well” is, therefore, a valuable resource for both cultural and personal development.

Il giusto errore. La scienza di fallire bene

Amy C. Edmondson

Egea, 2024

It is necessary to insist on the importance of women in work and the decisive elimination of gender inequalities if we truly want to build better economic and social development in Italy. This is true for the sake of the Constitution but also for the values and interests of the country and for the future of the coming generation. These views were expressed by President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella and former Prime Minister and ECB (European Central Bank) President Mario Draghi. In the country which is growing little and badly and undergoing an increasingly chilly “demographic winter”, their speeches at the end of last week had the merit of directing public discourse to one of the essential issues to which politics and economics should devote the utmost attention.

Let’s start with Mattarella. In a message sent to the “Il tempo delle donne” (the time of women) event organised, as every year, by Corriere della Sera, the President recalled that “work is an engine of social and economic growth” and “our country, like others, cannot afford to forego the contribution of women, who are an indispensable factor.” The gap of almost 20% between male and female employment is “a critical point” that needs to be reduced further and further. And if work also means “freedom, dignity and liberation”, it is necessary to “respect the rights of equality and parity envisaged in the Constitution” also in labour relations.

It is therefore necessary to break down “obstacles and inequalities”, to finally overcome “barriers” to access, salaries, careers and senior positions, which lead to “unacceptable and hateful discrimination: dismissals, forced signing of undated resignation letters, undue pressure, even forms of stalking and violence, physical and psychological”. With respect to obstacles, Mattarella indicated those that “make it difficult to reconcile employment and looking after a family”. The focus is on the coming generation: “In order to try to curb demographic impoverishment but also to meet the legitimate desires of young couples, it will be increasingly necessary to strive for better management of services, to balance time at work, for a stronger culture of supporting families.”

Mario Draghi too referred to the fundamental law that guides the Republic: “Whoever pays women less is acting against the Constitution.” It’s a strong statement, which directly calls upon the world of business and the professions and which also calls upon the government, parliament, political forces and public administrations to do more decisively and more effectively what is needed to combat those “barriers” and “discriminations” that Mattarella mentions.

Draghi recalled how Italy is “far, too far behind” in gender equality. He insisted that “equality is not enacted by decree; the conditions for it need to be built”. He also included the necessary political decisions for greater participation of women in work in the strategy for revitalising industrial and innovation policy set out in the European “Competitiveness Report” presented recently in Brussels.

The appeal to the Constitution is highly appropriate. And it is worth recalling the three articles to which reference should be made: 3, 31 and 37.

The most direct is Article 37, which states that “a working woman has the same rights and, for equal work, the same remuneration as a working man” and adds: “Working conditions must allow the essential function of the family to be fulfilled and ensure appropriate special protection for children.” The broader Article 31 states that “the Republic facilitates, by means of economic measures and other provisions, the formation of families and the fulfilment of related tasks, with particular regard to large families. It protects maternity, childhood and youth, promoting the necessary institutions for this purpose.” And Article 3 is the general framework for these indications: “It is the task of the Republic to remove those obstacles of an economic and social nature which, by effectively limiting the freedom and equality of citizens, prevent the full development of the human person and the effective participation of all workers in the political, economic and social organisation of the country.”

The experience of each one of us and a reading of recent history tell us that many steps forward have been taken since the approval of the Constitution to the present day. But it also confirms that those fundamental provisions are still far from having been fully and satisfactorily implemented, to the extent that two personalities of great intellectual and political weight and cultural and intellectual rigour, Mattarella and Draghi, rightly feel the need to remind us of its requirement.

These rules are broken by institutions and companies, as well as by many individuals, Simonetta Sciandivasci stresses in La Stampa (14 September).

Let’s look at some data, so we can understand better. According to ISTAT, the female employment rate was 52.7%, an improvement on the 51.9% of the same period last year. But it was still well below that of men, at 70.4% in 2024 and 69.4% in 2023, a gap of 18 points, much wider than the EU average of 10%. It’s a gender gap that continues to position us in the last places in Europe and has a negative impact on the overall performance of the Italian economy: “If our female employment rate were to reach the European average, GDP would grow by 7.4%,” noted economist Azzurra Rinaldi, director of the School of Gender Economics at Rome’s “La Sapienza” University, during “Il tempo delle donne” (Corriere della Sera, 14 September).

“Looking at the female employment rate, we have made enormous progress in the last two years. And the path along which we should move forward is clear,” says Minister of the Economy Giancarlo Giorgetti. Economist and expert on welfare and social issues Maurizio Ferrera, however, insists in an editorial in Corriere della Sera (16 September): “Women and rights: long delays to equality remain”. He notes that an awareness of how women’s employment benefits the economy is taking root among the coming generation above all, but also that government, institutions and parties, across political divides – each in their own way and for different reasons – are struggling to translate this idea into concrete policy decisions and measures.

It’s not a case of bonuses or subsidies, but of economic and social policy measures related to incomes, career opportunities and salaries, services, the home and work–life balance prospects for both mothers and fathers. More generally, it’s about truly rebuilding confidence in the future.

There is yet another aspect to insist on: the positive relationship between female employment and the demographic situation: “The fertility rate increases where women work the most,” argues Maria Rita Testa, professor of Demography at Luiss University (IlSole24Ore, 5 September), illustrating how those rates are higher than the national average (1.2%, among the lowest in the EU, with an average of 1.46%) in areas such as the autonomous provinces of Bolzano and Trento and Emilia Romagna (1.56%, 1.28% and 1.22% respectively) where female employment amounts to 69.3%, 64.5% and 64.4%. It’s not that one necessarily causes the other, of course, but it points a way forward, the paths of quality of life and work, efficient services and a confident outlook, combining “employment, education and welfare policies, with a concerted effort to create a working environment in which women achieve their full professional potential without giving up their role as mothers in families”.

(foto Getty Images)