Dating back to the last few weeks is news that, without doubt, is good for the international image of our country and enhances one of its aspects of excellence. The former Minister of Education, Stefania Giannini, has in fact been appointed Assistant Director General for Education at UNESCO. This prestigious international position will see her in the forefront along with two other figures of the same type, however, who deal with science and culture.
Giannini will work directly with Audrey Azoulay, Director General in office since October 2017. Azoulay, just like Stefania Giannini, has a very important political past. She held the position of Minister of Culture and Communication under the Vals Government, during the Hollande presidency.
The official news of Stefania Giannini’s appointment as Assistant Director General for Education at UNESCO was given by Angelino Alfano, in turn Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
In the official statements made to the media, Alfano stressed how, for Italy, it is a source of great pride to see an academic personality such as Giannini, who held the position of rector of the University for Foreigners of Perugia from 2004 to 2013, with such an important and delicate position.
Alfano also pointed out that the appointment was desired by Azoulay, who expressed his favourable opinion for Giannini at the end of an in-depth selection process.
Given this due premise, it should be remembered that the education sector is an asset to say the least strategic for UNESCO. This is particularly evident by virtue of the budgetary resources, which account for one third of the overall total. There is also considerable investment in personnel.
Moreover, 7 specialized institutes depend on the UNESCO education sector, not to mention a centre specifically focused on technical and professional education.
More than 400 officials work on all this. The objectives, of course, are very ambitious. With the appointment of a personality like Giannini, the commitments of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development are becoming increasingly concrete.
Worthy of attention is above all Objective 4, which speaks of “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
