The conference on the social economy: Artificial Intelligence, Inclusion and New Rights in the Knowledge Society
Last Wednesday, 21 October, the event ‘The Social Economy in the Digital Age’ took place in the Sala Baldini (Piazza di Campitelli). ‘Artificial Intelligence, Inclusion and New Rights in the Knowledge Society’, organised by the Fondazione Mondo Digitale ETS to mark its 25th anniversary, in collaboration with the Fondazione Terzjus. A ten-point charter was presented, setting out proposals to strengthen the digital dimension and AI in the implementation of the National Plan for the Social Economy. In particular, discussions centred on the evolution of third sector organisations, the convergence of profit and non-profit sectors, impact measurement, finance and public procurement.
Mr Gabriele Sepio, Secretary-General of the Observatory on Philanthropy and the Third Sector (Terzjus Foundation), opened the event by saying: “The approval of the National Plan for the Social Economy marks the start of an important phase in recognising the contribution that social economy organisations make to the country’s development. In this process, digital transformation represents a concrete opportunity to strengthen skills, improve organisational capacity and broaden access to services. The aim is to combine technological innovation with a development model that keeps people at its heart and maintains the capacity to respond to the needs of communities”.
Alfonso Molina, co-founder and scientific director of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, and Personal Chair in Technology Strategy at the University of Edinburgh, looked back over the 25-year history of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, outlining its underlying educational model and its commitment to a democratic society of innovation. “For us, academic work must go hand in hand with the development of tools and projects to support education, digital inclusion and community development.” For Molina, innovation is a socio-technical process involving various social actors.
Mirta Michilli, Director-General of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, highlighted the plan for the social economy: “An important opportunity to reflect on the theme of a people-centred technological revolution. Access to digital services is a matter of digital citizenship and a great opportunity for third-sector organisations. We believe that these organisations can play a fundamental role in guiding institutions towards a fair and inclusive digital transition.”
Massimiliano Geoli, National Secretary of the Italian Red Cross, presented the results of the research into the organisation’s digital transformation: “Through the Digital Bridge project, promoted in partnership with the Fondazione Mondo Digitale, we sought to capitalise on the opportunities offered by digital technology for the third sector, whilst enhancing the skills within our organisation. By measuring digital skills before and after the training programmes, we observed substantial growth, with a positive impact on the organisation as a whole and – consequently – on the way we carry out our humanitarian mission. Projects such as Digital Bridge demonstrate just how much networking between different stakeholders yields very tangible results.”
The organisers of the Parliamentary Intergroup for the Social Economy, the Honourable Silvia Roggiani and Lorenzo Malagola, also contributed to the debate. “Today we are calling for the full recognition of a sector that is by no means marginal, but which requires enabling factors such as digital innovation to overcome the fierce competition between large and small organisations.
Technologies such as AI must not be a tool for exclusion” (Silvia Roggiani). “The times we live in are characterised by a fourth revolution – the digital revolution – in which our interpersonal and critical thinking skills are being put to the test. We are called upon to safeguard these skills, and the social economy responds to very specific challenges” (Lorenzo Malagola).
Lucia Albano, Under-Secretary at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, brought the relationship between technological innovation and collective responsibility back to the centre of the debate: “The question is who we want to involve in this digital transformation. The social economy addresses precisely this aspect, because it focuses on citizens, promoting an inclusive development of knowledge. The plan, agreed with 130 third-sector organisations, has also helped to raise awareness of the very concept of the third sector.”
Mirta Michilli presented the ten-point charter for the inclusive digital transition of the social economy, inviting the organisations present to endorse them:
- Taking the lead in the digital transition
- Strengthening organisations’ capacity for innovation
- Investing in people and skills
- Making digital facilitation a social infrastructure
- Connecting social capital and digital capital
- Make AI a laboratory for social innovation
- Evaluate in order to learn and make decisions
- Open up access to technology and knowledge transfer
- Mobilise investment for digital transformation
- Make the inclusive digital transition a laboratory for the country
Representatives from third sector organisations also contributed to the discussion, including: Katia Scannavini, Secretary-General of ActionAid Italia, Ivan Marinelli, President of Aeci, Valeria Gherardini, Head of the International Office and the Planning and Projects Office at AICS, Alessandro Cossu, Head of the Communications Office at Cittadinanzattiva, Grazia Maria Bartucci, President of the Intercultura Association, Luca Di Sciullo, President of the IDOS Centre for Studies and Research, Davide Zanon, Director of Codici, Massimiliano Geoli, National Secretary of the Italian Red Cross; Cristina De Luca, Councillor at CSVnet; Jasmin Abo Loha, General Secretary of ECPAITalia; Francesca Lusenti, National Head of Active Policies and Employment Services at IFOA; Marcello Rossoni, Head of Mission for Italy at Intersos; Sofia Nardacchione, member of the Executive Committee at Libera. Associations, names and figures in the fight against the mafia: Roberto Perini, Head of Information Technology at Oxfam Italia; Ruggiero Russo, Head of the National Projects Office at Polisportive Giovanili Salesiane; Don Francesco Preite, President of Salesiani per il Sociale; Sergio Rivabene, Head of Institutional Relations at the Community of Sant’Egidio.
