Italy should adopt a long-term national plan for education, research and innovation to support growth as its population ages and the number of young people declines, according to a proposal outlined by Profumo in connection with the report “Le leve per la crescita,” curated by Roberto Garofoli at the initiative of Anci. The report frames human Capital as a starting point for generating development despite limited investment capacity linked to public debt.
The proposed “Piano Italia della conoscenza” would run for at least 20 years and seek political backing that lasts beyond changes of government. Its model is the Ina-Casa housing plan promoted by Amintore Fanfani in the 1950s and 1960s, which brought together the state, employers and workers around a national goal. The new plan would involve institutions, social partners, universities and foundations, with stable funding, measurable commitments and periodic reviews.
The proposal treats education, research and innovation as connected parts of one policy: developing skills, producing knowledge and turning it into qualified jobs and economic value. It also calls for lifelong learning to become a right, helping people adapt to changes in work and technology, including the spread of artificial intelligence.
Early childhood education is identified as a priority, with accessible nurseries and preschools and well-prepared staff. The account cites the educational approach developed in Reggio Emilia and Loris Malaguzzi’s idea of children’s “hundred languages,” through which they learn using words, images, gestures, materials and relationships. With fewer children, it argues, the quality of each child’s education becomes more important.
Schools and universities would also need to prepare people to question, reason, experiment and assess information. The proposal calls for teacher training and for universities and ITS Academies to combine scientific and digital skills with cultural knowledge and the ability to plan. Dialogue with businesses should anticipate changes in the workplace without narrowing education to immediate employer needs. Flexible learning routes, recognition of skills and time for retraining are presented as foundations for a permanent educational welfare system.
Research, in turn, needs reliable funding, autonomy and room to pursue ideas without immediate commercial applications. The proposal says Italy should link its national research policy more closely to European priorities, connect Italian universities and research bodies to major European facilities, and offer researchers laboratories and career opportunities that can attract talent. It points to a proposed European CERN for artificial intelligence, backed by Giorgio Parisi, as an example of countries pooling resources and expertise around a shared goal.
The plan would also seek to improve the route from research to industry, including in fields such as energy, biotechnology and new materials. Moving from a scientific finding to a product requires testing, prototypes and sustained cooperation between researchers and companies. Shared laboratories and specialists able to translate research into practical solutions could help small and medium-sized businesses use new technologies and support existing firms as well as new ventures.
Funding should cover both the early stages of a startup and its later growth, the proposal says. Initial support can help test an idea and launch a business; longer-term capital is needed to hire, manufacture and reach international markets. Italian and European funds should support both stages, alongside private investors and simpler access to finance. Municipalities could help connect research and businesses and attract talent through access to services and housing. The plan’s results would be assessed through learning, research, productivity and qualified employment.
Sources: Il Sole 24 Ore Italia.