Educating to transform people, communities and the planet
The future cannot be built without young people. And we cannot talk about sustainability without linking people, communities and the environment. It is from this awareness that Alfonso Molina, Scientific Director of the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and Personal Chair in Technology Strategy at the University of Edinburgh, spoke at the Pact4Future 2026 event, organised by Corriere della Sera and Bocconi University.
At the heart of his speech was a clear vision: a paradigm shift is needed. It is not enough to talk about environmental or economic sustainability. A holistic approach is required, capable of bringing together the inner and outer dimensions.
From ‘outer’ to ‘inner’ sustainability
“Holistic sustainability is a 360-degree vision,” explains Molina, “in which people’s well-being is inseparable from that of the planet” .
To understand this, Molina proposes the model of the personal ecosystem, structured around seven interconnected dimensions:
- mind and body
- possessions
- relationships
- organisations
- regional infrastructure
- culture
- planet
A complex system that highlights a limitation of traditional approaches: “We have worked extensively on external sustainability – the economy and the environment – but we have neglected internal sustainability. Yet a true educational programme must integrate both".
Beyond ESG: an educational vision of sustainability
Tracing the evolution of economic and managerial thought – from Peter Drucker to Milton Friedman, right up to ESG models – Molina highlights how the concept of sustainability has gradually expanded, without, however, fully bridging the gap between the individual and the system. The Fondazione Mondo Digitale’s proposal is therefore to bring education back to the centre, as a lever for profound and lasting transformation.
From theory to practice: schools, local areas and “vertical alliances”
This vision translates into concrete experiments. Among these is an educational programme based on an environmental self-assessment tool that involves:
- knowledge
- behaviour
- the active role of students
The model then extends to the school, the local area and the city, creating an expanded educational network. This is where the concept of “vertical partnership” arises: an alliance between schools, universities, businesses and local areas to develop skills, guidance and awareness. An initiative already underway in various areas of Rome, where students have designed concrete solutions, such as digital tools to monitor air quality.
The role of young people: getting involved to bring about change
When asked by students how they can contribute to sustainability, Molina replies clearly: ‘The most important thing is to get involved’. Studying, preparing oneself, and taking part in programmes and initiatives, such as Project Drawdown, means turning awareness into action.
A message directed at the younger generation, but also at adults: ‘My generation has created many of today’s problems. You are our hope’.
Schools as drivers of change
According to Molina, schools are the starting point:
- adopting a holistic vision
- working within the local area
- launching concrete projects
- building alliances between teachers, students and the community
“Innovation often starts with one person,” he notes. “But it can become a movement.”
In this journey, the Fondazione Mondo Digitale offers itself as a partner to support schools and local communities in building educational ecosystems geared towards sustainability.
Educating for sustainability is educating for the future
The session concluded with a meaningful exchange with the students, who demonstrated awareness and a sense of responsibility towards the future. Sustainability, it became clear, is not merely an environmental issue. It is an educational, cultural and social challenge. And above all, it is a shared responsibility.
