On June 13, the 3rd phase of the Siena International School on Sustainable Development started with the greetings of Francesco Frati, the Rector of the University of Siena, Dr Carlo Papa, Director of the Enel Foundation, Paolo Benini, Councillor of the Municipality of Siena, Professor Angelo Riccaboni, Director of the School. President of Santa Chiara Lab then introduced the online lesson by Enrico Giovannini, Minister of Infrastructures and sustainable mobility.
Rector Francesco Frati highlighted the necessity and urgency to keep up with the Agenda 2030 Goals to address inequalities, global warming, world hunger, pollution and biodiversity loss, that have been paused during the pandemic period.
Dr. Benini then underlined that achieving the SDGs requires clear intentions, a daily commitment, and a lot of creativity to implement concrete solutions that act in the short and medium-long term.
Following that, Dr. Papa stressed how the urgency of the climate situation requires concrete solutions based on scientific evidence. Protecting the health of our planet and human beings should be the first goal to aim for.
Professor Riccaboni stressed how a holistic vision is needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Decarbonization is certainly at the center of general attention, but it is necessary to identify a balance and the right interconnections between the social, environmental, and economic aspects to find concrete solutions to today’s challenges.
In the opening lecture, Enrico Giovannini highlighted some crucial points:
- Sustainability is a key dimension for businesses’ development and is at the center of public policies. European Union is the most advanced institution in terms of sustainable orientation. For instance, the Next-generation EU and the European Green Deal are crucial steps ahead toward a more sustainable future. In addition, Art. 3 of the European Union quoted the sustainable development adding to the constitution (basic principle) the preservation of the environment and the rights of future generations.
- We need to avoid conflict between economic interests, health and environmental protection. We should care about economic, social and environmental wellbeing.
- There have been recently various negative shocks, therefore resilience and transformative resilience become crucial.
- A sustainable path needs technologies, interdisciplinary studies and social and political innovation.
At the end of the lesson, Giovannini emphasized the necessity of continuing to dream and the importance of the network to find innovative solutions for the future.
Watch the recording of the opening lecture here.
