On Wednesday, April 22nd in Piacenza, at the Iren Group’s ESG Challenge, I had the pleasure of speaking as Secretary General of UN Women Italy, a day that brought together businesses, institutions, and universities to discuss sustainable regional development.
A concrete discussion, enriched by the contributions of the younger generations, with awards for the most innovative theses on ESG issues.
I made a very simple point: equality is not just a social objective, it is an economic lever.
Bridging the gap in female participation in the workforce means generating real growth. Every talent left out is a value lost to the region.
It is often shared at a theoretical level, but it is difficult to ensure it becomes an effective priority.
There is another crucial step: equality is not built through isolated initiatives. It is built through partnerships capable of bringing together public policies, businesses, and knowledge. That is where it becomes operational: in services, organizational models, and supply chains. Yesterday’s initiative was moving precisely in this direction.
Today, competitiveness is no longer an individual achievement. It’s a collective capability. And the regions that make the difference are not those with the most resources, but those that know how to connect them, considering the three complementary pillars of Environment, Social, and Governance.
Thanks to Iren for promoting a space for action-oriented dialogue, and to those who participated for the positive exchange.
PS: 7 of the 10 award-winning theses were by women!
