Students shaping the future

09/12/2025

4 min.

Maserati of Voghera takes centre stage at the States General of Birth Rates

The Fondazione Mondo Digitale promoted the empowerment of young people by making them protagonists in addressing the country's social and demographic challenges at the fifth edition of The States General of Birth Rates, held in Rome on 27 and 28 November. This took place as part of the Voglia di futuro (Desire for the Future) project, developed in collaboration with the Fondazione per la Natalità (Birth Foundation) and in synergy with Fondazione Roma, Istat and the Società di ginecologia e ostetricia (Sigo) (Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics). The project had two objectives: to raise awareness among students about possible scenarios and to stimulate their desire to shape the future [see the news item La nostra voglia di futuro (Our desire for the future)].

The participation of the IIS Maserati in Voghera

The students of the Maserati Institute in Voghera (Pavia), led by headmaster Filippo Dezza and accompanied by teacher Antonella Sicbaldi, participated in the training course with enthusiasm and determination. A total of 60 students from classes IV A SIA, IV SC and V SB took part in the initiative. Before creating their creative contributions, the students participated in seven online meetings with professionals and experts in birth rates, demography, health, communication and video making.

The challenge set for the students, as part of the creative contest “Nuove narrazioni” (New Narratives), was to find a new language to address the issue of declining birth rates, focusing on messages of proactivity and hope to build their future with awareness. In response to this challenge, the school produced a total of 10 videos, either as a group or as a class.

Third place and the message from young people

Team 3 from class 4 A SIA took third place on the podium, with the award ceremony held on the evening of 27 November at the Auditorium della Conciliazione in Rome. The video “Once upon a time there was a friend” stood out for its emotional and visual impact, focusing on the loneliness of the urban landscape as a metaphor for declining birth rates and the desire for a future full of life.

The video immediately captured the attention of the audience, made up of over 1,000 students and teachers, conveying a strong and hopeful message: ‘Don't let children become just an illusion.’ The members of the winning team are Serena Negri, Waed Hassan, Michele Valla, Alessandro Vacchelli, Andrea Giorgi and Yasmin Al Khatib.

The film “Once upon a time there was a friend” opens with an elderly man recalling how the park used to be “full of laughter and running around until sunset”, whereas now “only the wind and rusty playground equipment remain”. The hope for a more vibrant future emerges in the final dialogue, which reveals the “presence” of the friends a little girl desires, emphasising that “just one would be enough to breathe life back into the park”

The school's gratitude

Headteacher Filippo Dezza, in a message sent to project coordinator Claudia Belella, expressed his deep gratitude for the ‘wonderful opportunity’ offered by FMD. He highlighted how teachers and students returned from the event in Rome ‘not only very proud of winning third prize, but also truly filled with good things, their eyes still filled with the emotions they felt when meeting the President of the Republic, personalities such as Nico Acampora and Pierluigi Pardo, still positively excited by the awareness of having participated in an event of absolute importance’.

The Headteacher emphasised how the students felt they were protagonists and participants in an event of ‘absolute importance,’ perceiving that adults had dedicated their time and energy to them, in the belief that ‘the future is absolutely theirs’. He praised the organisation of FMD, describing it as ‘a reality of absolute excellence and effectiveness’.

The other nine videos made by the school

‘Is there such a thing as the perfect family?’ by team 9
The video addresses the theme of contemporary family models through a choral narrative made up of close-ups, reflections and short scenes from everyday life. The different voices of the students dismantle the stereotype of the ‘perfect family’, showing how much more complex and multifaceted reality is. The message invites us to recognise the value of relationships, whatever form they take.
‘Due diverse realtà’ (Two different realities) by team 8
The video compares the perceptions of young people and adults, alternating mirror scenes that highlight misunderstandings, judgements and expectations. The direction creates a visual and narrative contrast that supports the central theme: what we see depends on the point of view from which we observe. The final invitation is to build more dialogue and fewer generational stereotypes.
“Mandirola” by team 4 (4SC)
Set in school contexts, the video follows a small group of students in a significant or symbolic episode. The pace is dynamic, alternating between action and reflection, focusing on a place, a gesture or a character that becomes an opportunity to question a shared social issue. The video highlights the young people's view of the everyday experiences that shape them.
“Genetics and Children” by Team 5
The video uses the language of introspection to address the relationship between biology and identity. Through close-ups and personal stories, it leads the viewer to reflect on the similarities and differences that bind parents and children. The message emphasises that identity is not only a genetic fact, but also arises from affections, choices and relationships.
“LaNòt” by team 6 (4SC)
With a suspended and symbolic tone, the video intertwines outdoor and indoor scenes to recount a journey of personal discovery. The enigmatic title serves as a poetic thread, while the students give voice to the conflicts and expectations that accompany growing up. The final message encourages us to recognise our own complexity and to claim authenticity.
“La famiglia non deve essere un lusso” (Family should not be a luxury) by team 2 (4SA)
The video tackles the issue of economic fragility with direct and effective language. Through everyday situations and essential editing choices, it shows how material conditions affect young people's opportunities and the stability of families. The conclusion recalls a principle of fairness: no family should be penalised by its starting conditions.
‘Garofoli’ by team 10 (5SB)
The video constructs a narrative portrait of a character, real or symbolic, using clean aesthetics and linear editing. The scenes show how a personal story can become a starting point for reflecting on interpersonal relationships and the role of the school community. The message invites us to look beyond appearances and value each individual's journey.
“Le voci della speranza” (Voices of Hope) by team 7
The video adopts an emotional and collective tone, composed of several testimonies that intertwine in a unified narrative. Through close-ups, silences and changes in atmosphere, it constructs an image of hope as a force that arises from people and their stories. The final message is bright: even in difficult times, every voice can open up new possibilities.
“The Future” by Team 1 (4SA)
The video depicts an everyday situation from the perspective of young people, set between home and school, to highlight fragility, expectations and family ties. Through short dialogue scenes and moments of reflection, the protagonists show how personal and economic conditions can influence choices, opportunities and dreams for the future. The message invites us to look more closely at the stories behind each student and to recognise school as a place of support and opportunity.

Students shaping the future