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On Wednesday, February 28, we held the Second Local Stakeholders Group Meeting “Product and service innovation to improve quality of life” within the NOTRE project – Novel methods improving production innovation potential with examples of senior care-related solutions – of which CNA Emilia-Romagna is a partner, at CNA in Ravenna, which was attended by institutions, organizations, research representatives and businesses in the area.
The meeting, which followed the First Local Stakeholders Group Meeting, involved the Emilia-Romagna Region, as an associate partner, and a group composed of important stakeholders, who presented the most relevant ongoing experiences on public and private investments in health, social and industrial sectors in favor of the silver economy.
At the discussion table, coordinated by Luca Coffari, Head of Economic, Trade Union and Social Policies Department of CNA Ravenna, were present: Matteo Leoni, President of the Ravenna Territorial CNA, who was entrusted with the opening of the works, Marcella Contini, Head of Industrial Policies CNA Emilia-Romagna, Anna Linda Imbroscio, Sustainable Innovation Sector, Business and Production Chains Emilia-Romagna Region, Roberta Mazzoni, Director of the Ravenna Social and Health District, Cervia and Russi, Federica Boschi, Director of the Social and Health District of Lugo, Elena Zini, Manager of the Associated Social Service Municipalities of Ravenna, Cervia and Russi, Mirella Falconi, Coordinator of the Single-Cycle Master’s Degree Course in Medicine and Surgery, Pietro Querzani, Vice President A. L.I.Ce. Ravenna ODV and Director U.O.C. Neurology of Ravenna, Massimo Cameliani, Secretary of CNA Pensionati Ravenna in charge of health care and secretary of CUPLA, Mauro Giannattasio, Secretary General Chamber of Commerce of Ferrara and Ravenna.
Monia Morandi, Head of CNA Innovation, Industry and Manufacturing, presented three companies from the area operating in the medical and silver economy sector: Massimo Monti, Ceo BAM, Pasquale Longobardi, Health Director Hyperbaric Center Ravenna, Gabriele Mazzotti, Ceo Phizero.
Among the main aspects discussed during the morning and shared by all participants there was the need to address the challenge of demographic aging, through the mutual collaboration of all stakeholders, from public to private. It is fundamental to create optimal conditions so that we can operate and interact in an environment that fosters research and development of innovative and sustainable solutions for the care of the elderly.
In order to respond to the needs of the territory, and in the face of the increase in the elderly population and the decrease in the number of health and social care personnel, Romagna’s social and health care and social assistance has initiated a major telemedicine project. The desire to bring socio-health and social aspects to the forefront, devoting resources to prevention, promotion of correct lifestyles, also through residential and recreational services, has made it possible to value the third age in society.
The transversal nature of the silver economy impacts multiple sectors and performs a real cultural change, not only in the application of technology in the medical and care field, but also in the social field. Overcoming resistance to change is the challenge of the future: the possibility of bringing young and old together in what we can call a “social pact between generations” is an added value in responding to the new challenges of inclusiveness and social participation. Therefore, it is important to build an inclusive society by involving the new generations and institutions, such as the universities that train new physicians, so as to open toward new scientific collaborations and projects involving businesses too.
SMEs themselves play a central role in addressing this challenge as true engines of “making” able to offer innovative technological solutions. Supporting this important paradigm shift is the commitment expressed by the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Chamber of Commerce of Ferrara and Ravenna to direct new funds and an increasing support to local businesses, in order to facilitate their economic efforts and make social innovation more widespread.
