Sustainability Is the Ocean Where I Swim
An undegraduate degree in biology and a master diploma from MAGER, the Bocconi Master in Green Management, Energy and Corporate Social Responsibility. This is the kind of training that led alumnus Giulio Magni, 32 years old, to become operating manager of the One Ocean Foundation, a foundation for the preservation of the seas sponsored by Princess Zahra Aga Khan for the 50th anniversary of the Costa Smeralda Yacht Club.
➜ Why did you choose Bocconi MAGER?
It was then one of the few university masters on the subject and perhaps the only one (I didn't find any at the same level either in Italy or abroad) that enabled me to integrate my prior technical and scientific knowledge with economics and management subjects. Furthermore, I thought Bocconi would be cutting edge and international in scope, and when I started to attend classes I wasn't disappointed.
➜ What did that experience leave you?
It changed my life. I was struck by the level of involvement and participation of students and faculty alike, and by the fact that in class we had to study many real-world case studies. I really appreciated the close link with the business world, for two reasons: because it meant honing skills for which there was a real market need, and because, in my opinion, it is companies that have to play a key role in safeguarding the environment today, even more than politics.
➜ How did you get to One Ocean Foundation?
I have been following the Foundation since its inception in 2017. I participated in the One Ocean Forum, done in collaboration with the Bocconi Sustainability Lab, which gave birth to the foundation. As soon as there was an opening, I applied for the job.
➜ What are the Foundation's projects about?
They are developed along four main thematic lines: support for scientific research; education of younger people; communication and dissemination of knowledge on marine protection issues; sports events dedicated to sustainability campaigns. I am the operational manager for all the foundation's projects.
➜ But where does your interest in these topics come from?
I've always been passionate about natural sciences and I've always been fascinated by the idea of combining economic growth with environmental protection. This is why, after choosing a degree closer to my scientific interests, I decided to turn towards the study of aspects related to the world of business organizations.
➜ Your activity in favor of the environment also benefits Bocconi alumni, since you are the new leader of the Sustainability Topic Area..
I was appointed in January of this year. I have always been active in various associations and immediately seized the opportunity. Sustainability being a relatively recent issue, many corporate practitioners are my peers and I have always promoted activities for the networking of green management professionals. I find it very useful that the Bocconi Alumni Community, by establishing this Topic Area, believes in the importance that must be accorded to sustainability.