Paola Del Zotto Ferrari

Abstract

Talent is universal; opportunity is not. Millions of children, especially girls, born in peripheral, disadvantaged settings lack the opportunities to develop their potential. Access to quality education, role models, mentoring, and economic support are necessary resources to aspire to knowledge-based careers and to social mobility. Unfortunately, such resources are out of reach for too many, both in the least developed countries and in underserved communities in the so-called developed world. Though part of the group of the seven richest countries in the world, Italy too counts many small rural and urban communities challenged by poverty of economic and education resources. Calabria is one of the poorest regions. Here, from 2008, a highly successful experiment of dissemination of frontier science to young children and the lay public has led to the creation of the Accademia di Gagliato Globale Model. Participatory activities between outside scientists and the local population have activated a movement of regeneration of the community and in support of the children's future.