When the "D" makes a difference

From a top-down approach to a bottom-up approach to tackle the challenges of a changing world. Interview with Cristiana Scelza of Valore D

“‘Diversity is power’: this is the claim of Valore D, and I believe that these words best summarize the core of the response I feel I can give to one of the questions posed by this year's Rimini Meeting, namely ‘Towards what and where do we look together and what meaning do we recognize in our relationships?’” Cristiana Scelza, Executive Vice President of the Electrification division at Prysmian and President of Valore D, is preparing to participate in the Rimini Meeting 2024 with this spirit, where the theme of seeking the essential is at the center of the event.

First, let's start with introductions: what is Valore D, and what does it do?

“Valore D, the first business association in Italy – with over 380 companies to date – is dedicated to promoting gender balance and a culture of inclusion to support innovation, progress, and growth within organizations and our country for the past 15 years. It daily tackles the challenges of an increasingly dynamic and technologically advanced world, firmly believing that companies are agents of change. Therefore, it is crucial for them to be constantly committed to building a world where diversity and inclusion are guiding principles, enabling cultural, industrial, and economic advancement that is sustainable. This has been a leitmotiv for both the twelve visionary managers who founded Valore D and the current team and Board of Directors of the Association, who, in recent years, have tried to provide concrete responses to the repercussions of recent events that have shaped our lives (primarily international conflicts and the pandemic crisis) by offering best practices and know-how to civil society and institutions.”

What does the "D" symbolize?

“Many assume that the ‘D’ in ‘Valore D’ stands for ‘Donna’ (Woman), but it is no longer so. Today, it primarily stands for Diversity, expanding our scope to include disabilities and generations, for example. Our guiding words are: ‘Determination,’ ‘Direction,’ and ‘Tomorrow.’ These new and additional meanings attributed to the letter ‘D’ characterize our work and the sense of our participation in the Meeting. Specifically, ‘Direction’ and ‘Tomorrow’ encapsulate Valore D’s approach to the future and particularly to new generations, with a sense of responsibility that I believe is more strongly felt compared to the past.”

And who is Cristiana Scelza?

“I am a STEM woman with roots in Southern Italy, which is why I am personally committed to sharing my experience with young people, especially young women, to convey a simple but fundamental message in this era: STEM education and skills, curiosity, balance, and openness to new experiences (in my case, this meant not fearing to move for work to countries far and very different from Italy, such as China, Brazil, Russia, and the Netherlands) today represent a safety net for professional growth and allow breaking down any stereotypes and prejudices.”

What do you see in the eyes of young people when you talk to them about your experience?

“I hope my story can be a moment of reflection to dismantle ideologies that belong to a world that no longer exists, where it was not necessarily true that those with a humanities education should not also be trained in more technical-scientific subjects, and where traditional professions are changing significantly due to the increasing involvement of technology and artificial intelligence. In this world, where the hybridization between humanities and technical-scientific skills characterizes the manager of the future, STEM skills are undoubtedly a valid passport for professional realization, and reskilling for older generations in the workforce is a social lifeline to prevent marginalization. Therefore, it is increasingly essential to know how to best guide young people to favor the best match between supply and demand in the job market. This is particularly true for the younger generations, which is why Valore D has created Wanter, a fully accessible and free digital platform that helps young people, teachers, and parents navigate among the 150 professions that will be most in demand in the coming years.”

Do you think it is just an employment issue? Or is there more to it?

“For the first time in history, we have four generations working simultaneously, from Generation Z to Baby Boomers, passing through Gen X and Millennials. One of the challenges that companies must already address is ensuring the coexistence of experiences, visions, and desires that differ from generation to generation, avoiding lethal confrontations for the productive sector and society in general, while promoting both the experience and strong work motivation of older generations and the new skills and innovative approach focused on values and work-life balance of the younger generations.”

In short, working to live, not living to work.

“Young people view work differently from my generation. And I believe this change should be well understood by companies. Unlike in the past, the difference is not necessarily made only by job stability or remuneration level but also by aspects such as smart working and flexibility to better manage personal and family commitments. One significant finding from research is that for younger generations, the possibility of taking leave is a crucial driver, and they increasingly demand recognition of parenthood that goes beyond gender stereotypes, considering the responsibilities and rights of both parents without negatively affecting women's careers. This vision of the younger generations – in addition to representing an unprecedented paradigm shift – should not be ignored, lest we risk losing talent and excluding them from professional growth paths.”

What is happening in Italy regarding parental leave?

“On the topic of leave, I believe joint reflection by institutions and businesses is necessary so that parenthood no longer means giving up work commitments and is not solely a women’s issue. In this regard, the Code of Self-Regulation promoted by Minister Roccella, which many companies in the Valore D network have joined, represents an important first step in this direction. Similarly, I consider extending mandatory paternity leave a policy that can no longer be postponed and that we must strive to promote for parents. The demographic crisis characterizing Italy and all industrialized Western economies today can only be addressed through a set of private and public policies and measures that, starting from understanding the desires and needs of younger generations, can define a new cultural, employment, and industrial framework.”

What can be done better?

“In addition to an essential and necessary ongoing public-private dialogue, I believe that the business world’s approach should no longer be top-down but rather bottom-up: policies, strategies, and commitments of the productive world can no longer be defined from above without first listening to those who will enter and characterize the workforce in the coming years.”

What are you doing, and what will you do?

“As an association, we are working to ensure that the future commitments of the companies in our network are inspired by those who will enter and represent tomorrow's professionals. We have decided to gather contributions from young people to jointly write the key points of a new job market that is inclusive and in step with societal changes, which will be presented as a ‘Pledge’ – a commitment document for companies that believe in a culture where people, with their identities and diversity, come first. This is a work we have already started, but in August, during the 2024 Meeting, it will also be presented through a significant moment of discussion and involvement with new generations, which from our point of view represent innovation and stimulus for change. Representativeness, inclusive leadership, equity in opportunity distribution are just some of the major themes on which we are working with young people to identify principles and commitments towards a more inclusive world. We are thus trying to concretely implement that bottom-up approach, starting from people and relationships, to guide us in building a productive and occupational model that is sustainable, does not marginalize anyone, and addresses both the demographic and technological crises innovatively. From my perspective – quoting a passage from the 2024 Meeting Manifesto – it is a fundamental approach to be human, remain human, and become increasingly human.”