With the arrival of September, there is a renewed sense of hope and fresh beginnings in the air. The start of the school year marks a moment of collective renewal, a “secular New Year” that touches the lives of millions of people across the country. This year, our return to the classroom has taken on an even deeper meaning, thanks to the powerful words and extraordinary energy generated by the Paideia Campus, culminating in TEDx Pollica.
TEDx Pollica, held at the end of August, was far more than just another event. It became a true rite of passage, marking the end of the summer season and laying the foundations for the new year with a strong sense of hope and enthusiasm. Among the many compelling stories, one voice stood out in particular, capturing both our attention and our hearts. It was the voice of Lorenzo Micheli, whose story invited us to reflect on the fundamental importance of school as a pillar of society: the place where young people are shaped, the true driving force for change within a country, and a source of hope for the future.
His talk, which I strongly encourage you to listen to carefully, was not only a profound reflection but also a genuine manifesto for the future of education. Lorenzo invited us to consider the fundamental values underlying the act of educating, offering a vision that deeply resonates with and is put into practice every day at the Paideia Campus.
His reflections encourage us to recognise the intrinsic value of education not simply as the transmission of knowledge, but as a process of holistic growth that embraces a sense of place, contemporary thinking, and the ability to imagine possible futures.
- Educating for a sense of place: In an age of growing disconnection from the places we inhabit, it is essential to reconnect young people with their roots and their local environment. This vision aligns perfectly with our approach at the Paideia Campus, where the Mediterranean setting becomes an open-air classroom.
- Educating for contemporary thinking: Schools must connect the challenges of the present with the realities of today, fostering skills that have yet to be fully defined and igniting the desire to learn. At the Paideia Campus, we live this philosophy every day, integrating global challenges into activities that come to life between land and sea, along paths and throughout the local area, involving farmers, fishermen, scientists, the community, citizens, and families. We work together to address everyday challenges, safeguard living heritage, and build alliances to care for the common good.
- Educating for possible futures: It is crucial to help young people define and design multiple alternatives for the future, counteracting the growing sense of uncertainty and lack of confidence that can develop as they progress through their school years. This principle lies at the heart of our mission to educate and empower the global citizens of tomorrow.
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