What world do we long for? USI and SUSPI researchers listen to the young generation

As the opening of the new University campus planned for September 2020 approaches, USI and SUPSI in collaboration with Lugano Living Lab want to give a voice to the ideas of the children of the schools of Lugano, who will live close to this new scientific community. What world do we long for? This question wants promote a reflection on the role of science in our society, in particular it wants to investigate on the desires and priorities of children.

The new university campus, which will be inaugurated in September 2020, will be a place where researchers from Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) and the University of Applied Sciences of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI) will work to build the future of our society by contributing to its progress in the following disciplines: Medicine, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Mechanical Engineering, Management and Electronics. The new East Campus will thus be a place for study and research, but also for reflection on the world and its citizens, feeding the great debates taking place at international level. USI and SUPSI wish to promote a reflection on the role of science in our society, with the help of the Lugano’s school district and Lugano Living Lab. In particular the aim is to investigate what are the desires and priorities of children. What world do we want to leave to future generations? What actions can individuals take to help improve the world's conditions? And what can and should science do? Starting from these questions, and taking inspiration from the 17 major goals of the UN, teachers are asked to reflect with their pupils, over the school year 2019/2020, on possible actions to build a better world for all. A drawing, a thought written by the class or by the single student: the works created will be collected and presented in a dedicated installation for the inauguration of the new university campus in 2020 and given to researchers with the aim of inspiring the academic community in its daily work.

More information can be found in the flyer attached and by writing to [email protected]