Sustainability Webinar | Young People Are The Future of Civil Society Towards Sustainable Development
the chair
Welcome from the Chair
19th Sustainability Webinar
Young People Are The Future of Civil Society Towards Sustainable Development
The new Sustainability section (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainability/sections/Development-Goals-towards-Sustainability) is characterized by an approach aimed at understanding how SDGs are a fundamental part of civil society. It is essential to declare them within a work when analyzing sustainable development. Within the new SI, together with my colleagues Prof. Gastaldi and Prof. Stornelli, we welcome contributions that take a pragmatic approach. I look forward to hearing the analyses and perspectives of six young people with a passion for research.
Date: 22 September, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. CEST | 12:30 p.m. EDT
Webinar ID: 849 4894 6735
Webinar Secretariat: journal.webinar@mdpi.com
Meet Our Speakers
Ms. Simona Desideri
Independent Researcher;
Graduated with a Master’s degree in Management Engineering, I currently work as an IT consultant for a large multinational company and, in parallel, I am part of the research team of the PEACE project, an initiative focused on innovation and sustainability, with a particular emphasis on the circular economy.
As a consultant, I am involved in Project Management activities for Application Maintenance Services (AMS) and in translating business needs into operational and technological solutions.
As a researcher, I conduct applied research on innovation and sustainability within the circular economy, and contribute to the publication of international scientific articles on sustainable processes and resource optimization.
Mr. Joaquin Francisco Varela Bascur
Independent Researcher;
Joaquin Varela holds a master’s degree in management engineering and is currently pursuing an MBA with a large multinational company, where he specializes in energy and environmental management and economics. In parallel, he serves on the research team for the Res4Africa Foundation, an initiative that bridges Europe and Africa to accelerate the continent’s energy transition.
Born and raised in Chilean Patagonia, Joaquin developed a profound appreciation for the natural world and a commitment to protecting it through concrete action. His academic specializations have equipped him with the tools to focus on decarbonizing industrial sectors, with the ultimate goals of helping future generations to meet their needs and appreciate our planet as he has.
Prof. Dr. Chiara Grosso
Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy;
Chiara Grosso, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Management Engineering in the Department of Computer, Control, and Management Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome. She holds a Ph.D. in Management Engineering from the University of Padua. Her research focuses on innovation management, in the context of the twin digital and green transition. Her work integrates value engineering and social science models applied to human-centered technologies. As a researcher in the MICS project, she investigates innovative waste management processes, with a focus on digital tools for collaborative
eco-design and circular ecosystem platforms. Her research outcomes are published in international journals which include: Global Journal of Flexible Systems Management, Business Strategy and the Environment, International Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, and Journal of Industrial Management & Data Systems. Since 2014, she has been an active member of the international research community on Mass Customization and Personalization and serves on the scientific committee and chair of the International Workshop on Configuration.
Prof. Dr. Roberta Palmieri
Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, Sapienza - University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy;
Environmental engineer with a Ph.D. in Raw Materials Engineering, currently working as a fixed-term researcher at Sapienza University of Rome. Since 2013, her research has focused on characterization, quality control, and sorting techniques for both primary and secondary raw materials. Her work integrates conventional analytical methods with innovative technologies, including short-wave and near-infrared spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging, and machine learning for material identification. She is actively involved in national and international research projects aimed at sustainable resource recovery and the advancement of circular economic practices.
She also teaches Raw Materials Engineering in the Bachelor's Degree Program in Environmental Engineering at Sapienza University.
Mr. Paolo Basilico
Independent Researcher;
I hold a Master’s degree in Management Engineering and currently work as a consultant for a large multinational company. In parallel, I am part of the research team of the PEACE project, an initiative focused on innovation and sustainability.
As a consultant, I’m involved in PMO and Governance activities for companies in the energy sector, supporting the operational management of complex projects.
As a researcher, I conduct applied research on innovation and sustainability within the circular economy and contribute to the publication of international scientific articles.
Mr. Federico Marinangeli
Independent Researcher;
I hold a Master’s degree in Management Engineering, with a thesis focused on the sustainability strategy of a newly established pharmacy holding.
I have developed a strong interest in sustainability and innovative business models, that are the main areas where I concentrate my research, especially those aiming to balance environmental responsibility with social value creation. My academic path also gave me the chance to explore decision-making techniques such as AHP and TOPSIS.
In the future, I aspire to work at the intersection of strategy and sustainability, helping organizations align long-term goals with concrete actions for a more equitable and resilient future.
Sustainability is altruism—it is the thrill of seeing talented young people put forward their ideas. Civil society can respond to current injustices by listening to those who want to try to make their own contribution. The message of this webinar was “help anyone you meet on your journey that you see experiencing difficulties”. A world made up of young people who respect their elders is a landscape to be admired and experienced.
The webinar was hosted via Zoom and required registration to attend. The full recording can be found below. In order to learn about future webinars, you can sign up to our newsletter by clicking “Subscribe” at the top of the page.
"A Quantitative Analysis and Interdisciplinary Approach to the Sustainable Development Goals"
Edited by Prof. Dr. Idiano D'Adamo, Prof. Massimo Gastaldi, and Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Stornelli
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025