Exploring the realities operating in the fields of education, culture, and innovation, while strengthening internal dialogue on some of the major challenges facing the Canton, was the goal of the working day organized by the Department of Education, Culture, and Sport (DECS), which brought together the Directorate and senior officials in Mendrisiotto on Tuesday, June 30.

The initiative, promoted by the Department's director, Marina Carobbio Guscetti, offered an opportunity to update on the local area and the activities developed in the various areas of DECS expertise, alternating visits, meetings, and reflections on highly topical issues.

Culture and heritage at the heart of the journey

The first part of the day was dedicated to promoting Ticino's artistic heritage. Participants visited the Giovanni Züst Cantonal Art Gallery of Rancate, focusing on the exhibition Art from the 14th to the 19th century in Ticino's public collections, an exhibition that offers a comprehensive reading of the works preserved in the main public collections of the Canton.

The meeting offered the opportunity to reflect on the role of cultural institutions in safeguarding historical memory and disseminating knowledge, aspects that fall within the Department's responsibilities.

Educational innovation and new skills

The day then continued at the Filanda in Mendrisio, where the Digital Crafts Workshop of the Center for Educational and Digital Resources (CERDD) was presented.

The meeting offered a close-up look at several experiences that connect technological tools, creativity, and teaching, demonstrating how innovation can become a concrete element in educational programs and in developing the skills required by today's world.

The visit also included a presentation of the education projects for young people hosted at the Federal Asylum Center. The program, launched in the 2024-2025 school year, is aimed at boys and girls aged 16 and 17 and aims to promote their inclusion through dedicated educational activities.

Artificial intelligence: opportunities and risks

One of the key moments of the initiative was the discussion with Bruno Giussani, a journalist, writer, and podcaster who has been exploring the relationship between technological innovation, economics, and geopolitics for years.

Starting from the themes addressed in the volume The Mind Under Siege: How to Avoid Manipulation in the Age of Artificial Intelligence, the dialogue addressed the implications of AI for society, focusing both on the opportunities offered by new technologies and the possible risks associated with the manipulation of information and the development of digital tools.

The reflections that emerged are part of the process that the DECS is pursuing to define the future cantonal strategy dedicated to the integration of artificial intelligence into training and education processes, a topic destined to assume increasing importance in the coming years.

Greetings from the City of Mendrisio

During the day, the mayor of Mendrisio, Samuele Cavadini, also spoke, conveying the city's official greetings to the Department's representatives, emphasizing the value of collaboration between cantonal institutions and the local area.

The conclusion at the Vincenzo Vela Museum

The last stop of the program took the delegation to the Vincenzo Vela Museum in Ligornetto, where they visited the exhibition Bertille Bak. Voices from the Earth.

The exhibition addresses the theme of contemporary work through installations and works that interact with the museum's permanent collection, offering insights into the social and economic changes characterizing the present.

An opportunity to create synergies

At the end of the initiative, the DECS expressed its thanks to the institutions involved, including Casa Astra, and to all the people who contributed to the success of the meeting by sharing experiences, skills and activities.

The departmental day thus confirms its role as a useful tool for strengthening dialogue between the Department's various sectors, promoting awareness of local communities, and developing synergies capable of supporting cantonal policies in the fields of education, culture, training, and technological innovation.