International cooperation in research enables experts from different countries to share knowledge, leading to ground-breaking studies and solutions that are useful not only regionally but globally.
In Ethiopia, this dialogue is crucial: the country has over 120 million inhabitants, is one of the fastest-developing economies in the sub-Saharan region, and has seen significant growth in international scientific collaboration, particularly in health, agriculture, and natural resources.
According to data from Innovitalia, over 33,000 Italian researchers are working abroad in various scientific fields: the Italian Research Day in the World (GRIM) held on 11th June was dedicated to them. The event was hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute in Addis Ababa and promoted by the Italian Ministry of University and Research and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event aimed to celebrate the contributions of Italian researchers abroad and strengthen international scientific cooperation.
Laura Elena Pacifici Noja, Scientific Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Addis Ababa, is a lecturer of Moral Philosophy at UniCamillus University.
Pacifici Noja opened the proceedings of the GRIM meeting alongside the Ambassador of Italy, reflecting Italy’s commitment to a more inclusive and sustainable approach to science, with particular attention to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) disciplines, and highlighting Italy’s dedication to preserving cultural heritage and advancing agricultural innovation.
We asked her a few questions to gain a better understanding of the event’s outcomes, Italy’s contribution to innovation in Ethiopia, and future projects in this field.
What does ‘Italian Research Day in the World’ represent for Italy?
“The Italian Research Day in the World is an initiative of the Italian Ministry of University and Research and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Hosted by Italian embassies around the world, the event aims to highlight the contributions of Italian researchers abroad, as well as underlining Italy’s commitment to science, technology and innovation in order to promote international cooperation. This year, for the first time, GRIM was organised in Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa, at the Italian Institute of Culture (IIC). The event was organised in collaboration with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and the Agency for the Promotion Abroad and Internationalisation of Italian Companies (ICE), with the aim of emphasising the importance of the network of Italian institutions, organisations and stakeholders. Under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), this network contributes to the promotion of national interests abroad.
GRIM represents a virtual as well as a real meeting place for Italian scientific diplomacy, facilitating the building of strong networks and partnerships“.
Why do you think it is important to organise events like GRIM in Ethiopia?
“Events like GRIM highlight the extraordinary cooperation between Italy and Ethiopia, which is gaining further momentum. By promoting and facilitating access to STEM and STEAM subjects, Italy is ensuring a better and more equitable future for generations to come. One way in which GRIM can foster new approaches to health diplomacy in Ethiopia was demonstrated in the concluding panel discussion, titled ‘Science for Policy, Policy for Science’, which was moderated by Dr. Adamu Adissie, coordinator of the ‘Ethics in Science’ Master’s programme organised by AAU (Addis Ababa University) in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. Attendees included Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union; Michele Morana, Regional Director of the AICS Addis Ababa; Claudio Pasqualucci, Regional Director of ICE Addis Ababa; and Dr. Mohamed Worku, Director of the prestigious Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (EGST). The debate concluded with an original presentation by Massimo Spadoni, a senior CNR researcher and former advisor to the CNR President. He proposed the idea of an international working group that could, in the future, negotiate agreements on the highly sensitive issue of scientific choices”.
How would you describe the current state of scientific cooperation between Italy and Ethiopia?
“Ethiopia is considered a priority partner of Italy’s in sub-Saharan Africa. This event has certainly strengthened existing partnerships and led to the creation of new ones in the fields of innovation, agriculture, natural resource management, and the development of science strategies, engaging relevant stakeholders and communities”.
Which of the sectors discussed during the panels have already produced tangible results?
“Firstly, it is important to distinguish between projects that are already active and those that are still in development in Ethiopia. The projects already underway or already implemented are significant initiatives, mostly thanks to support from AICS. These projects were discussed in Panel 1, which focused on emerging frontiers of development in hydrogeology, hydrology and natural risk management. This panel was led by CNR, IRSA and IGAG representing Italy, and the Ministry of Water and Energy (MoWE) representing Ethiopia. Panel 4, chaired by Professor Francesca De Filippi, an architect and Vice Rector for Internationalisation at the Polytechnic University of Turin, and Silvia Sabato, Head of the Strategic Plan for the Internationalisation of the Foundation Centre for Conservation and Restoration ‘La Venaria Reale’, highlighted the fundamental role of scientific research in safeguarding cultural heritage, particularly in contexts where history, identity and collective memory are under threat due to natural disasters, conflicts, or inadequate infrastructure. These are complex situations in which international scientific, technological and cultural cooperation is essential to bring together expertise, share ideas and pursue sustainable goals.
On the other hand, when it comes to ongoing projects, GRIM plays a catalytic role. For example, Panels 2 and 3 are considered prospects for the future. Panel 2 was attended by Professor Michele Pisante, President of Bonifiche Ferraresi (BF), and was moderated by Professor Nicola D’Ascenzo, Scientific Director of BF. This GRIM session certainly defined new possibilities in precision agriculture. Joint discussions between the Council for Agricultural Research and Agricultural Economics Analysis (CREA), the Rome Technopole Foundation, and representatives of Ethiopian universities, will facilitate future developments. During GRIM 2025, BF expressed its willingness to develop institutional relations with local universities with a view to initiating exchange programmes, co-design, and joint training and research initiatives. This seems to me to be a process that has got off to a successful start!
Last but not least, Panel 3 focused on the multidisciplinary diagnostic approach in developing countries. Matteo Botteghi, President of Pathoxphere and designer of a computerised system of remote oncological diagnosis already in operation at the Djibouti military hospital, moderated the panel.
This project will soon be available to the Ethiopian population. Despite all the complexities of the project, the panelists — including the Congregation of the Missionaries of Christ, the Secretary General of the Ethiopian Catholic Secretariat, and Dr. Elena Toniato of the University of Chieti — emphasised the great benefits it will bring to the population”.
Looking to the past and the future!
“One of the goals of the event was to strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones. Many students attended GRIM 2025, demonstrating the interest of the new Italian and Ethiopian generations in STEM and STEAM disciplines. There was a delightful surprise when Professor Jean Koulidiati, President of the Pan African University (PAU), participated remotely and outlined the event’s full potential. In conclusion, GRIM 2025 in Addis Ababa was a success in terms of participation and interest. There was a good balance of Ethiopian and Italian speakers, who were able to discuss topics of interest to them in a relaxed atmosphere of active listening. This is certainly the first in a long series of scientific events that we hope to organise in the future, involving UniCamillus too!”