Ten theses for sustainability. The Symbola Foundation, Luiss Guido Carli University, and Unioncamere are launching a groundbreaking initiative, the first of its kind in Italy. The aim is to recognize and reward 10 university theses from all disciplines—both the humanities and the sciences—with a focus on those that make strong and original connections to the principle of sustainability.

The green transition is, in fact, a systemic process that touches on all fields of knowledge. That's why it's crucial to foster awareness and interest among young people in topics that will become part of everyone's cultural background.

The project, supported by the Conference of Italian University Rectors (CRUI), sponsored by Deloitte Climate & Sustainability, and in partnership with AlmaLaurea and the Network of Universities for Sustainable Development (RUS), will launch in September. An open call for submissions will be published, inviting theses from all Italian master's and single-cycle degree students for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic years (provided they have already been submitted at the time of application). A scientific committee led by Stefano Zamagni and Paola Severino will select the winners. Zamagni is a professor of Political Economy at the University of Bologna, and Severino is the president of the Luiss School of Law.

Alongside Luiss, the following universities have so far joined this inaugural edition: Federico II of Naples, Tor Vergata, La Sapienza, Ca' Foscari of Venice, Bocconi, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, the Polytechnic Universities of Milan, Turin, and Marche, Sant'Anna of Pisa, Universitas Mercatorum, and the Universities of Cagliari, Teramo, Camerino, and Catania. New participants are expected, in keeping with the promoters’ aim to expand participation and sharing as widely as possible.

Winners will receive cash prizes and internships at leading Italian companies. These companies are eager to benefit from graduates whose skills and qualities can positively influence a corporate environment that is increasingly focused on embracing the values of openness and inclusivity as the cornerstones of a new approach to business.

In keeping with this broad vision, submissions from ten subject areas will be eligible for the selection process: mathematics, physics, and computer science; chemistry and biology; earth sciences; medicine; agriculture and veterinary science; civil engineering and architecture; industrial and information engineering; classical, literary, artistic, historical, philosophical, educational, and psychological sciences; legal, political, and social sciences; and economics and statistics.

Ermete Realacci, president of the Symbola Foundation: "Tackling the climate crisis with courage is not only necessary, but it also presents a great opportunity to make our economy and society more human-centered and, therefore, better equipped for the future, as we affirm in the Assisi Manifesto. To achieve this, we need contributions from all fields of knowledge. Europe is moving in this direction, pointing to cohesion and the green and digital transitions as the path to strengthening our economy. This is another reason why the “Ten Theses for Sustainability” project, sponsored by the Symbola Foundation, Unioncamere, and Luiss, is important. This is a groundbreaking initiative aimed at recognizing 10 university theses from various disciplines that make strong and original connections to the principle of sustainability. An opportunity to empower an Italy that is building its own future.”

Vincenzo Boccia, President of Luiss Guido Carli University: “Openness, inclusion, and the cross-disciplinary nature of knowledge are traits deeply ingrained in Luiss’s DNA. For us, our faculty, and our students, sustainability represents a cultural trait that unites knowledge and conscience. Through this initiative, we are helping to develop skills that will be valuable to the business world as it navigates the complex green transition today. We are truly delighted that so many other universities have chosen to join us on the “10 Theses” journey, which we are promoting alongside Symbola and Unioncamere. This shared commitment confirms the country's remarkable maturity in addressing the challenges of balanced and viable growth.”

Andrea Prete, President of Unioncamere: “This initiative fully aligns with the chamber system's commitment to promoting sustainability in the manufacturing sector, which is also achievable through the development of in-house expertise within companies. The contribution that young graduates can make will therefore be very useful for the companies hosting the internships, as it will help them identify new ways to adapt their production activities to the green transition. It will also give the young people the opportunity to put their knowledge to the test within the company."