Today, for the final event of Project Factor J, promoted with Janssen Italia, Undersecretary Pierpaolo Sileri was meant to present awards to the winners of the Creative Jam [see news: Trust Overcomes Fear]. Although an unexpected appointment did not allow him to participate in video, the undersecretary sent a message to the young participants that we wish to share with you:
“I am honestly touched to be present at this event, to be able to speak to an audience of young men and women, but also to enrich myself, thanks to this exchange of contributions that will concentrate a high degree of creativity and awareness on issues that are not part of the daily curricula of Italian students.
I am doubly impressed, thus, as I can see the application of an aspect of schooling that I believe is fundamental and that I have been driving to formalise in primary and secondary school programmes, namely health education.
All of us can alternate or in different moments of our lives be patients, caregivers, doctors or health operators, scientific researchers, public or private health figures. And only starting with the correct knowledge will we be able to remove the obstacles erected by fear and win the resistance towards issues that appear distant such as the management disease, their cure, and the possibility of overcoming them thanks to scientific progress and research or being close to those suffering and using empathy to understand difficulties.
Today, we are here to try some small communication experiments and to network. Thus, I would like to thank the Fondazione Mondo Digitale and Janssen for Project Factor J and this final contest that has promoted information on specific therapeutic areas with the support of patient associations and scientific experts.
I hope that this experience will drive inspiration in many of you to seek a professional career in science, medicine or research, as well as in non-profit associations. Or simply learn more about health and increase your confidence, help you live well and provide you with a better emotional preparation and rationality should you encounter a disease, in one of its many forms.
And I must thank scientific research that has provided us with answers to the health challenges, even in these unimaginable times, such as with the development of a covid vaccine. Thus, as an academic working in politics, allow me to spend a few words to underline the role that Italian research plays in Europe and globally and how crucial it is for us to begin to familiarise with innovation and science in the classroom.
And this is all the more stimulating through digital, creative modes for the development of platforms and scientific divulgation that will allow us to attract young men and women as with social media, where it is fundamental to spread correct information and clear the field from easy fake news and sensationalism.
It is now time to turn the platform over to them, to promise of our future, and I am happy to view these videos, and offer my sincerest congratulations to everyone.
