THE SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE: SANT’ANNA SCHOOL RECTOR SABINA NUTI, UNIVERSITY OF PISA RECTOR PAOLO MANCARELLA, AND TUSCANY ENTERPRISES REPRESENTATIVES PARTICIPATE IN THE SINERGIE-SIMA 2020 CONFERENCE
“The conception of sustainable development is a commitment to intra- and intergenerational justice, which highlights the inequities of resource allocation around the globe. In other words, enterprises know profit is important, but now it is not the only way for doing business. I am proud to say that our University has a long tradition in providing educational excellence in this field. Our policy sets out the University’s sustainability commitment and, more recently, our Strategic Plan also outlines our commitment to promoting the culture of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. That culture that offers a better approach as it provides a comprehensible overview that does not privilege the profit value over others. University of Pisa promotes sustainable development and social responsibility initiatives through the Responsible Management Research Center with the consideration of the needs of future generations ensuring an equal opportunity for all”, said rector Paolo Mancarella giving his opening remarks at the Sinergie-SIMA 2020 conference “Grand Challenges. Company and University working for a better society”.
Sant'Anna rector Sabina Nuti delivered the second statement: "This is a historic moment. We are experiencing a landmark event in the world’s history – she explained – Today, in Italy and Europe, innovative sustainable management practices will represent an opportunity for companies to play a fundamental role in sustainability implementation. Collective enterprise efforts enable and drive the digital transformation. The pandemic will mark significant global progress towards environmental and social sustainability and well-being equality embedded in the sustainable development. As academics we are required to explore how interdisciplinary research, international cooperation and civil society engagement can contribute to the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan.”
The first session taking place today hosts Sant’Anna School professor Marco Frey serving as a moderator for the panel of experts Paola Signori (University of Verona), Claudio Pinassi (KME), Giuseppe Sardu (Acque Spa), Roberto Lacorte (Pharmanutra), and Maurizio Barsacchi (Conad), presenting perspectives and emerging issues relevant to implementation of corporate responsibility in their companies based in Tuscany.
“We made corporate social responsibility and ethics a part of our company culture as we are responsible for the drinking water safety management. Creating value is not just creating profit: we need to ensure green future strategic infrastructure. Sustainability and peaceful coexistence can be approached with an effective ethics infrastructure and application of existing instruments”, said Giuseppe Sardu, president of Acque.
Roberto Lacorte, CEO of Pharmanutra, addressed the companies’ cost-cutting measures in response to the Covid-19 emergency. "We have avoided layoffs during the pandemic economic crunch. We have supported our employees and remote workforce during the lockdown with new digital communication methods. These tools were of primary importance in the emergency management but in the second phase they will be complementary to the conventional systems within the company. We are currently exploring the potential benefits of integrative approaches and I believe we can increase our business profitability."
Cover photo: Sant’Anna School rector Sabina Nuti giving the opening remarks
