There are over 27,000 professionals working within Italian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), engaged in emergency and development projects. Specifically, 4,807 are based in Italy and 22,277 abroad (56% men, 44% women). To these figures—collected by the Open Cooperazione portal—must be added several thousand Italian officials serving in international agencies, organizations, and volunteer associations. It is this wealth of professional expertise that the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), in collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and Info-Cooperazione.it, will highlight with a dedicated initiative on October 21, as part of the 16th edition of the “Festival of Diplomacy.”
“The event, which we have titled ‘Profession: Aid Worker’, aims to showcase the skills, career paths, and concrete opportunities available to those who choose to dedicate themselves to international cooperation. It is crucial that young people understand which professional profiles are most in demand and how they can make a tangible contribution to sustainable development and the protection of human rights,” said Marco Riccardo Rusconi, Director of AICS.
Alongside Director Rusconi, the event will feature contributions from Susanna Schlein (Unit for Global Multilateral Strategies and Processes for Development Cooperation, MAECI), Cristina Franchini (UNHCR Italy), Guido Zolezzi (University of Trento), Lucia De Smaele (Focsiv), Riccardo Sansone (Oxfam Italy), and Federico Bastia (PuntoSud).
The session will be introduced by Elias Gerovasi (Info-Cooperazione.it), who will present data on the demand for professional profiles in the sector, focusing on training, opportunities, and current challenges.
“According to an analysis of more than 2,000 job postings published on our website in 2024 by Italian CSOs operating in 77 countries, the most sought-after profiles are Project and Program Managers (30.7%), administrative staff (17.5%), and Country Directors/Heads of Mission (7.9%). So, despite the difficulties the sector faces, there is no shortage of opportunities—even for those at the beginning of their professional journey,” explained Gerovasi.
“With this initiative, we want to emphasize that being an aid worker is a true professional career that requires specific skills, study, and dedication. Volunteering often represents a valuable step in this path, as it allows individuals to gain essential experience, knowledge, and sensitivity for working in complex contexts. To make this path complete and effective, it is therefore essential that universities, institutions, and organizations engage in continuous dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that Italian cooperation becomes increasingly qualified, effective, and inclusive” added Rusconi.
The event is open remotely to all Italian universities (upon registration via a dedicated link), thanks to the collaboration with CUCS (University Coordination for Development Cooperation), which—under the aegis of the CRUI (Conference of Italian University Rectors)—aims to strengthen the role of universities in international cooperation and sustainable development.
In the afternoon, an in-person exercise will be held, organized by the AICS Humanitarian Aid and Fragility Unit, and reserved for a selected group of students from Sapienza University of Rome (coordinated by Prof. Marco Cilento) and Roma Tre University (coordinated by Prof. Lorenzo Benaduci). About fifty undergraduates will work on a case study designed to develop teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills
«Con questa iniziativa vogliamo sottolineare che quello del cooperante è un percorso professionale che richiede competenze specifiche, studio e dedizione. Il volontariato rappresenta spesso una tappa qualificante di questo percorso, perché consente di maturare esperienze, conoscenze e sensibilità indispensabili per operare in contesti complessi. Affinché tale percorso sia completo ed efficace, è essenziale, quindi, che università, istituzioni e organizzazioni dialoghino e collaborino in modo continuo, per garantire una cooperazione italiana sempre più qualificata, efficace e inclusiva», aggiunge Rusconi.
