Press release: Women & Technologies: e-Nutrition and International Award The Technovisionaries

5th Edition
International Conference
Women & Technologies®: e-Nutrition and "The Technovisionary ®2012" Award

With the participation of the President of the Republic

Monday, November 6, 2012, 9:30 AM - 6:30 PM
Milan Chamber of Commerce - Conference Room - Via Meravigli 9/B, Milan

PRESS RELEASE

A different way of conceiving the female approach to technology: a new vision of the relationship between women and technology addressed not as a gender issue, but as a tool to identify and enhance female talent in research, technological development, and innovation, with particular attention to the themes of interest of Expo 2015.

And so, with this "vision" of the Women and Technologies Association, the V edition of Women&Technologies®: e-Nutrition is born. The setting is the Milan Chamber of Commerce and the appointment is set for November 6th.

The day, conceived by Gianna Martinengo, who has made the relationship between technology and innovation one of the main themes of her professional life as a researcher and entrepreneur, will unfold through an International Conference, an International Award ("The Technovisionaries®") and a permanent Laboratory of ideas around the chosen theme for the 2012 edition.
An integral part of the conference is also the "The Technovisionaries®" award, which aims to valorize women capable of "inventing the future" by creating technologies, women who have demonstrated through their work the ability to combine creativity, innovation, and quality of life.

Women&Technologies® 2012 represents the opening conference of the three-year period dedicated to food, a theme strongly related to health, sustainability, and innovation.
The Conference's framework includes a debate on the application of science and technology in favor of conscious eating. The goal is to provide a comprehensive and consumer-friendly view of the new frontiers of food connected to prevention, the development of sustainable agriculture, and support for small and medium enterprises in the sector that represent excellence to be protected. This also includes the most innovative proposals from research on packaging, transparency of information, and eco-sustainable technologies.
In detail, the topics covered will be as follows:

Nutrition and Health
The new frontiers of nutrition are increasingly identified with prevention, as it is widely demonstrated, nutrition strongly influences health: hence the need to better understand the function of certain foods or components present in foods and their effect on health. The female figure in the context of nutrition related to health.

Nutrition and Sustainability
The development of sustainable agriculture also through the innovation of biotechnologies, therefore how science and technology can contribute to solving environmental problems related to agriculture and the exploitation of resources for food production. The link between nutrition and the identity of the territory. The new relationship between tradition and innovation in the field of food.

Nutrition and Innovation
The research proposals of companies regarding issues related to nutrition with particular attention to consumer communication: labeling, nutraceuticals, and nutritional claims. Innovation in the field of food, packaging technology, and eco-sustainability.

In each of the three round tables there will be qualified speakers from the research, business, and consumer sectors.

More than 400 women and men from the world of industry, academia, and public administration are expected to take part in this year's event.

JURY AND WINNERS

The International Award "The Technovisionaries®", an integral part of the international conference "Women&Technologies® 2008-2015", is awarded every year to women who have demonstrated in their professional activities to possess vision, prioritize social impact, transparency in behavior, and ethics. They are "The Technovisionaries" in the fields of research, innovation, and business. Women&Technologies® values women who have a realistic vision of the world we live in, envision a consequent future, and have carried out activities consistent with their vision.

The 2012 edition
Nominations for the 5th edition of the 2012 Prize were made online on the website www.womentech.info from July 31, 2012, to October 14, 2012.

The Jury is composed of qualified representatives from the thematic areas of the various competition categories, from the world of culture and communication.

Composition of the Jury

Diana Bracco , Vice President Research and Innovation Confindustria
Monica Guarischi, Delegate for Time Policy and Consumer Protection, Lombardy Region
Alessandra Perrazzelli , Head International Regulatory and Antitrust Affairs Intesa Sanpaolo and CEO of Intesa Sanpaolo Eurodesk
Federica Villa , Manager of the Presidency and Institutional Relations at the Chamber of Commerce of Milan
Deborah Chiodoni, Director of External Relations and Press, Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci, Milan.
Elizabeth Robinson, President of the NicOx Research Institute S.r.l.
Sara Gandolfi , Journalist, Corriere della Sera
Gianna Martinengo , Founder and Chairperson of Women&Technologies®

The award ceremony takes place at the conclusion of the Conference. The award ceremony is conducted by Rita Querzè, journalist from Corriere della Sera.

WomenHealth Award

This Award is aimed at women who have dedicated their passion
and professionalism to the complex relationship between Nutrition and Health.

Laura Rossi , Researcher, INRAN, National Institute for Food Research and Nutrition.
Motivation: For her humanitarian commitment to the analysis and surveillance of malnutrition and the development and implementation of protocols for its treatment in countries characterized by severe food shortages and consequent devastating effects on public health.
Award presented by: Sergio Dompè , President of Dompé Pharmaceuticals and Past President of the Strategic Committee of Women&Technologies®

WomenSustainability Award

This award is aimed at women who have dedicated their
activities to the complex relationship between Food and Sustainability.

Imene Ouzari-Cherif , Ecole Supérieure des Industries Alimentaires, University of Tunis.
Motivation: For her commitment to research (in the field of women), with a focus on agri-food sustainability, in a country undergoing profound political and social transformation.
Award Presented by: Monica Guarischi , Delegate for Time Policies and Consumer Protection, Lombardy Region

WomenInnovation Award
Designed for women involved in innovation in the field of food and nutrition.

Enrica Monticelli, Global open innovation leader R&D, Whirlpool EMEA.
Motivation: For reaching a top position in an innovative multinational company and for the demonstrated openness to cutting-edge themes such as open innovation.
Award presented by: Alessandra Perrazzelli, CEO Intesa Sanpaolo Eurodesk

Ex aequo

Sonia Massari , Director, Gustolab Institute - University of Siena.
Motivation: For being one of the first people to introduce the academic study of food in the Italian university system and for developing strong collaborations between the private and academic sectors. She has been able to extend her project internationally as well.
Award presented by: Federica Ortalli , Board Member, Milan Chamber of Commerce

WomenMedia Award

Intended for women engaged in the task of making complex issues related to food and nutrition accessible and "within reach of everyone" to protect consumers.

Elisabetta Bernardi, Director and scientific consultant, RAI.
Motivation: For the commitment to raising awareness on the topics of nutrition and science, thus disseminating the results of the most recent studies. For contributing to projects of food education aimed at children using the language of new technologies.
Award presented by: Barbara Stefanelli, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Corriere della Sera.

WomenTerritory Award

Intended for women who have promoted business models aimed at enhancing their own territory

Pina Amarelli , President, Amarelli Liquirizie.
Reasoning: As an administrator of the Amarelli Liquorice Factory, she has been able to breathe new life into one of the oldest family businesses in Europe, a member of the Henokiens, a privilege reserved for very few Italian companies. A family that counts Templars among its ancestors and, thanks to her, celebrates its history through a private museum, a rare example in Italy of a museum that generates income. A family and a business owner of a brand that can express the best of Calabria and demonstrate that even today in Italy, and in the South, it is possible to do business firmly rooted in the territory and traditions, with an eye towards the future.
Award presented by: Donatella Romeo , Vice Secretary General of Unioncamere Calabria

WomenCEO Award

Intended for women who have reached top positions in important companies, thanks to their entrepreneurial and managerial skills.

Graziella Gavezotti , President of Edenred Italy and Chief Operating Officer Southern Europe of Edenred SA.
Motivation: For the creativity demonstrated throughout her career by proposing innovative initiatives such as Ticket Restaurant® and the "Mediterranean Break" program to promote healthy eating habits during lunch break, while also advocating for equal opportunities and work-life balance within and outside her own company.
Presented by: Maria Grazia Filippini , CEO Edenred Italy

WomenFuture Award

Intended for young female researchers in the field of food and nutrition.

Claudia Picozzi and Ileana Vigentini , Researchers, DeFENS - Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan.
Motivation: For two researchers who have been able to combine their knowledge and achieve results in the field of microbiology with possible positive impacts on the health of children in developing countries.
Award presented by: Fiorenzo Galli , Director General of the National Museum of Science and Technology "Leonardo da Vinci".

Special Mention Women and Technologies Association

Alessandra Marti , Research Fellow, DeFENS - Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences, University of Milan.
Motivation: For her balance in experimental research activities in the field of cereals and derived products, combining technical-scientific skills, work attitude, and admirable relational qualities.
Award presented by: Claudia Buccellati , Entrepreneur, Women and Technology Association

The Awards

The Medal that the President of the Republic Giorgio Napolitano wanted to dedicate as his representative award. The Medal that the Chamber of Commerce of Milan wanted to make available for the award and that the Women and Technology Association will award to the winner of the Special Mention. A canvas from the ANITA collection specially created for the International Award "The Technovisionaries®". This is how the author, Carlotta Todeschini, defines the collection: "ANITA comes from the need to communicate my emotions through a candid canvas that is imbued with signs and paths; from a simple gesture comes a mosaic of bold colors and light strokes, soft shapes and strong lines, a multitude of tiles that articulate as a unique identity, but that also know how to walk solitary. This collection is dedicated to women who have been able to combine "heart and invention" reaching prestigious goals in the service of others and therefore even more deserving of being remembered."