Women at the Heart of Bocconi’s Commitment
Dear Members of the Bocconi community,
During this week in which we celebrate women’s achievements, I wish to reach out to each of you with a word of thanks and a renewed commitment.
Women’s participation in Bocconi’s life - as students, faculty, staff members, alumnae and in other capacities - brings to our community a vibrant, more than proportionate and forward-looking contribution. Diversity and inclusion are key elements of Bocconi’s strategic priorities as we have embarked on our journey of becoming an intellectual community in which all its members receive – and offer to others – equality of opportunity and treatment, irrespective of their gender or gender identity.
Under the leadership of the Rector, Prof. Gianmario Verona and with the support of the Managing Director, Riccardo Taranto, we have achieved significant results in the last years. Amongst others, we have increased the number of female full professors and developed a Research Lab on Gender Equality. In addition, under the guidance of the Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, Prof. Catherine De Vries, we recently pioneered an inclusion program Carriera Alias for transgender people, and launched a toolbox of great potential, the “Inclusive Gender Equality Plan” which, I am convinced, will prove a powerful catalyst for further focus and action in this top-priority area.
In this context, let me underscore the strong commitment of the Bocconi governance bodies at the highest levels (Board of Directors, International Advisory Council) towards further enhancing measurable outcomes in terms of Diversity and Inclusion.
I am well aware that we can and must do much more. That is the case not only for the University as a whole (as set out in the “Strategic Plan 2025 and Vision 2030”, under the aegis of our Vice President, Prof. Andrea Sironi), but also specifically as regards our Diversity and Inclusion policies. This will require the hard work and commitment not only of the women within the Bocconi community, but of each of us. Together, we should work towards making Bocconi a home of diversity, intercultural understanding, community engagement and inclusion, allowing every member to thrive and to reach their fullest potential.
With all this in mind, I wish to express my gratitude to the women who enrich the Bocconi community, and to all our colleagues, regardless of gender, who work to improve gender balance, diversity and inclusion at our University. Please receive my wholehearted thanks and warmest wishes.
Mario Monti
President, Bocconi University