Date
Monday, November 9, 2009
National Museum of Science and Technology "Leonardo da Vinci"
Via San Vittore 21, Milan
In the European Year dedicated to "creativity and innovation" and on the road to Expo 2015, Milan came alive with the second edition of the international conference "Women&Technologies®" and the "Le Tecnovisionarie®" award.
Often we talk about "new technologies" and never about "old" ones. But today all technologies are such, and therefore, the question becomes: how to adopt-absorb-guide technologies instead of being guided by them? Within this primary need, the conference "Women&Technologies® 2008-2015" (the first in Europe focused on Research, Innovation, and Business themes in a feminine way) wants to assert - against all commonplaces - that technology is also "female". A vision of the relationship between women and technology, however, not as a gender issue but as a tool to identify and enhance talent in research, technological development, and innovation, in a period so important for Europe and beyond.
Emphasizes
Gianna Martinengo
, creator and Chairperson of the conference: "
Women, bearers of a vision always attentive to the individual and humanistic components of every problem, can make an original contribution to innovation. Innovation should be understood as the ability to include different points of view to bring out new questions and new solutions."
.
The international conference "Women&Technologies®" is aimed at and gives voice to talented women and researchers - Italian and of any other nationality - engaged at various levels and with different roles in the worlds of
Business
, of the
University
and of the
Public Administration
and to those "technovisionaries" who with their extraordinary insights contribute to the growth of society and are a concrete and operational testimony to the fact that
technology is also feminine
.
Far from any partial and convinced vision of a holistic approach in terms of disciplines (it is necessary to integrate the traditional approach to technology based on logic and mathematics, with the contribution of disciplines such as psychology, social sciences, cognitive sciences, pedagogy, anthropology, literature) as well as in terms of people, the conference hosts speakers - women and men - of particular importance.
The conference has the participation of the President of the Republic and is promoted by Didael in partnership with the National Museum of Science and Technology "Leonardo da Vinci" which hosts the event. It is realized with the contribution of the Milan Chamber of Commerce, Lombardy Region, and Forum Net Economy, with the collaboration of the European Parliament - Milan Office and the Women and Technology Association. Sponsors are Olivetti (Telecom Italia Group), Intesa Sanpaolo, Wolters Kluwer Italia, Infocamere, Adobe, Futuro@lfemminile, AICA, BCC Sesto San Giovanni, and Deutsche Bank. It has received institutional endorsements from the Minister for Equal Opportunities, Ministry of Labor, Health and Social Policies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, University and Research, Ministry for Public Administration and Innovation, Province of Milan, and Municipality of Milan.
The initiative received the medal that the President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano wanted to allocate as his representative award.
The day started with greetings from the Director General of the National Museum of Science and Technology Fiorenzo Galli and the President of the Chamber of Commerce Carlo Sangalli . After the opening speech by Gianna Martinengo - creator and Chairperson of the conference - spoke with a report Alessandra Servidori , National Gender Equality Advisor, on behalf of the Minister of Labor, Health and Social Policies, Maurizio Sacconi .
During the opening of the afternoon sessions, European Parliamentarians also intervened, Lara Comi, Vice President of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection, and Cristiana Muscardini, Vice President of the Committee on International Trade.
Greetings have also been received from the Minister of Youth Giorgia Meloni, the President of the Special Project Research and Innovation and Expo 2015 Confindustria Diana Bracco, and the Councillor for Networks and Public Utility Services and Sustainable Development of Lombardy Region Massimo Buscemi.
The conference was divided into three sessions: "Generation 2015" (10.30-13.00) coordinated by Fiorella Operto, President of the Genoa Robotics School; "Transversality of technologies" (14.30-16.00) conducted by Mariagiovanna Sami, Professor of Digital Processing Systems, Polytechnic of Milan; "Not only technologies but people" (16.30-18.00) coordinated by Gianna Martinengo, President of Didael.
The closing of the event was conducted by Maria Grazia Cavenaghi-Smith , Director of the European Parliament Office in Milan. At 8:00 PM, the Gala Evening opened with the awarding of the "Le Tecnovisionarie®" 2009 prize.
The conference
The discussion around the first round table focused on the future of young people, the "
Generation 2015"
. If today in Europe up to 15 years old boys and girls show the same technological preferences and techno-scientific skills, after 15 years old studies and careers diverge: at University in technological subjects there is 1 girl for every 6 boys. Furthermore, in Europe girls outnumber boys in number and results (in all subjects) at high schools. Yet, women employed in the R&D sector represent only 20% of total employees, their salaries are lower than those of male colleagues and only 30% of European managers are women (Eurostat 2008 data). With the theme of the "
Transversality
of technologies
" it was highlighted how the transversality between disciplines - and in particular between the ICT world and other disciplines from medicine to geology - is not only a great wealth, but actually opens up horizons and opportunities that are unthinkable if everyone remains in their own "garden". Referring for example to the biomedical world, the creation of biosensors, the development of "lab-on-chip" solutions, would not have been possible without the close interaction between biologists, doctors, experts in micro and nano-technologies, experts in materials science. In "
Not only technologies but people
" the key reflection revolved around the question: do technologies allow us to do the same things with better results or do they allow us to do something else, solve problems differently? The answer is not trivial, because it involves reconsidering the fundamentals of work organization and the relationship between technologies and people. The winning idea is that of co-adaptation: technologies are modified by their application, and activities are modified by technologies.
Awards
On the sidelines of the conference, the
"Le Tecnovisionarie®" 2009 award
was presented, a recognition dedicated to women capable of "inventing the future" by creating technologies. The winners were Catia Bastioli (CEO of Novamont S.p.A.) and Barbara Poggiali (CEO and General Manager of DADA, RCS group). Along with the winners, two
special awards
from the Milan Chamber of Commerce were also presented: one for "Public Administration", awarded to Maria Virginia Rizzo (Head of the Ministry of the Interior's web portal), and one for "Applications of social interest", awarded to Stefania Bastianello (Trainer - AISLA, Italian ALS Association). Finally, the special "School" award from the National Museum of Science and Technology in Milan was given to Linda Giannini, a teacher at the Don Milani Comprehensive Institute in Latina.
Some figures
The interest generated by "Women & Technologies®", in its second edition this year, is also reflected in the significant number of visits to the dedicated portal
www.womentech.info
, created by Didael:
992,000
visits and
150,000
visitors from
50
Nations. The portal represents one of the nodes of a real "physical and virtual laboratory" on the themes of research, technological development, and innovation. A network of professionals and experts that grows day by day thanks to dedicated groups on major social networks (with
6
active discussion groups on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Ning, YouTube with
3,000
members) and buzz (word of mouth, discussion) on the topics covered. "Women & Technologies®" 2009 is also one of the
11
proposals selected by
Forum Net Economy
for their ability to promote a culture of innovation. The total number of people who followed the conference proceedings during the day of November 9th was
1,644
people (of which 1,170 were watching live online).
Towards the 2010 edition
The portal
www.womentech.info
will be updated with the multimedia content from the conference on November 9, 2009, and with constant updates on the main themes emerged,
for a year
, until the date of the next edition of Women&Technologies®; in this way, broad
visibility
will be guaranteed to all those who have supported the initiative with contributions, sponsorships, or endorsements.
Program
Discover the full event schedule, session times, topics, and keynote speakers.
International Conference
Women&Technologies®: creativity and innovation
GREETING MESSAGE
Diana Bracco President of the Special Research and Innovation Project and Expo 2015 Confindustria
I would like to thank the organizers for giving me the opportunity to extend - even from afar - a sincere welcome to all the participants in this important Conference on the theme "Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation."
A title that encapsulates the essence of the Future: all the words present in it indeed represent creation, growth, development.
Words that have always been familiar to me, and that we all must strive to make truly familiar to the country.
Italy is rich in intelligence and technical-scientific potential that has nothing to envy to that of other countries. It has an entrepreneurial spirit capable of reacting to challenges with flexibility and creativity, and has a great capacity for work. These are qualities on which to build the future.
A new economic miracle can only come from a "scientific-technological" miracle that allows us to keep pace with those countries that know how to create and manage innovation, that grow and produce new jobs, continuously adapting the characteristics of employment to technological advancements.
We are aware that we are dealing with a dramatic international economic situation and that this scenario makes it difficult for the Government to implement an economic policy based on Research and Innovation, but we cannot accept that research is always the Cinderella.
Regarding the role of women in the economy, I believe they will increasingly find their place because today in the best universities they prove to be the most prepared and deserving, so it is only a matter of time. Also in politics, the role of women must acquire the right value. The country cannot renounce the extraordinary contribution of ideas, skills, and abilities of women, who have shown around the world to be an undisputed engine of economic and social growth, and above all a factor of civil and cultural development.
New technologies pose unprecedented challenges for us to face, for which we need open and creative perspectives. Women, traditionally attentive to personal care, can provide an important contribution to imagine a future in which we will have to be able to combine technical progress and quality of life.
International Conference
Women&Technologies®: creativity and innovation
Councillor for Networks and Public Utility Services and Sustainable Development of Lombardy Region
I have always been convinced that inventiveness and the ability to become a concrete fact must be combined with intuition and sensitivity because only these two elements make it possible to realize in the right measure what is planned on paper. For this reason, I believe that thanks to the availability of new technologies, a new space opens up for women in the workforce, a space specifically on the front of innovation and change to build a new modernity.
Technology is a malleable tool. Their natural sensitivity and intuition - which they should not lose at this moment, but rather enhance - favor them in action, because it makes them subjects, I would say favored, in that doing that gives results and satisfaction in the most diverse situations.
I thank Women&Technologies for taking on the commitment to highlight the most relevant achievements that women have been able to accomplish and put into practice through the use of technology, also with adequate recognition. This is the best way to support them and to give "courage" to those who want to enthusiastically engage in this new field. The fact that the event is scheduled annually until 2015 will allow for additional innovations to be added to the Expo celebration.
Finally, a sincere wish to all women who are renewing the reality in which they work every day with new technologies, especially in the world of education, which is the space dedicated to the formation of the person and, therefore, of the new individuals who will need to know how to make the most of the opportunities offered by new technologies in the near future.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Institutional greetings from Fiorenzo Galli, Director General of the National Museum of Science and Technology.
Institutional greetings from Carlo Sangalli, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Milan.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Introduction to the day by Gianna Martinengo, General Chairperson of the Women&Technologies® conference 2008-2015.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Report by Alessandra Servidori, National Equality Advisor, representing the Minister of Labor, Health, and Social Policies, Maurizio Sacconi.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Round table: "WHO: 2015 generation"
Introduction by Fiorella Operto, President of the Genoa Robotics School and Coordinator of the Round Table.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Round table "WHO: generation 2015"
Intervention by Alice Mado Proverbio, Professor in Psychobiology and Physiological Psychology, University of Milan Bicocca.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Round table "WHO: generation 2015"
Speech by Carlo Nati, National Coordinator for Italy Survey EUN-Cisco: "Women & ICT".
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Round table "WHO: 2015 generation"
Speech by Nik Nailah Binti Abdullah, Assistant Professor, GRACE center, National Institute of Informatics, Tokyo.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Round table "WHO: generation 2015"
Speech by Caterina Policaro, Professor, expert in social networking.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "WHO: 2015 generation"
Speech by Paola Frignani, Special Business Manager at Milestone S.r.l. and Educational Coordinator of the Executive Master in Digital Entertainment Media & Design.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Round table "WHO: generation 2015"
Speech by Monica Pesce, President of the Professional Women's Association of Milan, Senior Project Manager at Valdani Vicari & Associates.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "WHO: 2015 generation"
Speech by Roberta Cocco, Central Marketing Director of Microsoft Italy; Responsible for the future@lfemminile project.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Round table "WHO: 2015 generation"
Question and answer session.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Institutional greetings from Lara Comi, Member of the European Parliament, Vice President of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Institutional greetings from Cristiana Muscardini, Member of the European Parliament, Vice President of the Committee on International Trade.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Transversality of technologies"
Introduction by Maria Giovanna Sami, Professor of Digital Processing systems, Politecnico di Milano.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Roundtable "Transversality of Technologies"
Speech by Alberto Guidotti, Intesa Sanpaolo Group Services, Simplification and Innovation Service.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Roundtable "Transversality of Technologies"
Speech by Daniela Bellomo, Director of Biotechnology Transfer Centre - San Raffaele Biomedical Science Park.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Round table "Transversality of technologies".
Speech by Ouejdane Mejri, Researcher at the Polytechnic University of Milan.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Transversality of technologies"
Intervention by Serenella Sferza, Co-Director of MIT Italy Program.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Transversality of Technologies"
Speech by Maria Grazia Filippini, Vice President - Managing Director & General Manager, Sun Microsystems Italy.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Transversality of Technologies"
Presentation by Bruno Siciliano, Professor of Control and Robotics, University of Naples Federico II, President of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Roundtable "Transversality of Technologies"
Intervention by Stefano A. Cerri, Deputy Director of L.I.R.M.M. (Laboratory of Computer Science, Robotics and Microelectronics of Montpellier), Professor at the University of Montpellier II.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not just technologies but people"
Introduction by Gianna Martinengo, General Chairperson of the conference and President of Didael Srl.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not just technologies but people"
Speech by Patrizia Grieco, CEO Olivetti Group Telecom Italia.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not only technologies but people"
Speech by Monica Possa, Director of Human Resources and Organization at RCS MediaGroup.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not just technologies but people"
Speech by Yves Confalonieri, Director R.T.I. Interactive Media.
Reply by Patrizia Grieco, CEO Olivetti Gruppo Telecom Italia.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not just technologies but people"
Speech by Alessandra Perrazzelli, Head of International Affairs, Intesa Sanpaolo; CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Eurodesk.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not only technologies but people"
Speech by Cesare Maccari, Director of Human Resources at Wolters Kluwer Italia.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not just technologies but people".
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not just technologies but people"
Speech by Lorella Palladino, Secretary General of the Chamber of Commerce of Campobasso.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not only technologies but people"
Speech by Michele Vianello, General Director of the Scientific and Technological Park of Venice (VEGA).
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Round table "Not just technologies but people"
Final session of questions and answers.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Closing remarks by Maria Grazia Cavenaghi-Smith, Director of the Information Office of the European Parliament in Milan.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (Edition 2009)
Remote interventions. Aimee Mullins: athlete, model, and actress, Vice President of the Just One Break Association.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Remote interventions.
Irene Tinagli: Professor at the Carlos III University of Madrid. Expert in innovation, creativity, and economic development, consultant for the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the European Commission, and numerous regional governments, organizations, and companies in Italy and abroad.
Women&Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Remote interventions.
Karen Panetta: Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Director of the Simulation Research Laboratory at Tufts University.
Women & Technologies: Creativity and Innovation (2009 Edition)
Remote Interventions.
Aude Billard: Professor at the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne, head of the LASA Laboratory, Learning Algorithms and Systems Laboratory at EPFL.
