Presentation of a study by Randstad and the Foundation for Subsidiarity.

Marco Ceresa, Group Chief Executive Officer Randstad; Mario Mezzanzanica, Professor of Computer Science and Engineering, Milano Bicocca University; Elena Militello, President of the Southworking Association; Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Deputy Minister of Economic Development. Introduced by Giorgio Vittadini, President of the Foundation for Subsidiarity.

The word ‘cohesion’ is to be found among the goals of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan drawn up by the government to stimulate economic recovery in Italy and to “fix” what the pandemic has exacerbated in recent years, namely the income gap between the North and South of the country. In this context, therefore, the institutions and some enlightened enterprises are working to prevent the emergence of new inequalities because of the current crisis and to protect the national social fabric. Promoting territorial cohesion also means thinking about the future of the manufacturing world and devising new working technology-aided modes likely to become a strategic lever for the aforementioned goals. In this context, the Foundation for Subsidiarity and Randstad – the world’s leading company in HR services, have investigated the potential of creating ‘work hubs’ in remote or disadvantaged areas of Southern Italy where people, thanks to smart working, can use their skills. This new business opportunity is also a major social responsibility initiative, aimed to fight against North-South migration flaws and village depopulation, but also to promote sustainability and environmental rehabilitation.