Milan, October 15 – The STEM Women Congress Italia 2025 closed with great acclaim, generating a powerful wave of energy, enthusiasm, and female-driven vision. The second Italian edition of the international event marked the culmination of a shared journey that saw growing participation and collective commitment to promoting the presence of women in scientific and technological fields.

The event, organized by Orange Media Group and Women at Business with the patronage of the Municipality of Milan, represented the final stage of the “Step by STEM” journey — a year-long tour across Italy with the common goal of inspiring new generations and building a new kind of future.

“With the Milan Congress, we wanted to go beyond simple discussion: the stories told through data and diverse voices — scientists, artists, companies, and especially young people — showed us how STEM can and must serve as a space of inspiration and real opportunity for the new generations,” say Morena Rossi, Head of Content for SWC 2025, and Laura Basili, President of Stem Women Congress Italia. “And not only that: so many of the stories we heard show that it is always possible to change careers along the way. By studying and deepening one’s knowledge, the STEM world can become accessible to everyone. The important thing is to follow and pursue your dreams.”

Welcoming the hundreds of participants was Alessia Cappello, Councillor for Economic Development and Labor Policies for the Municipality of Milan, who reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to building a city capable of offering the new generations — especially girls — equal opportunities for access, growth, and achievement in scientific and technical paths. A message of collective responsibility but also confidence in the change already underway.

The day began with an artistic performance by Giulia Caruso, interweaving art and technology in a powerful narrative of female strength, resilience, and creativity. A symbolic opening that gave shape, through beauty, to the energy that drives progress.

This was followed by the presentation of ISTAT data, along with analyses by Shibumi and the survey “Women, STEM and the Future” by The Wom – Mondadori Media, outlining a clear and realistic picture of the state of STEM in Italy. The findings confirmed the country’s progress while highlighting the need to overcome cultural barriers and prejudices so that more women can freely choose their own path.

Among the most significant moments of the day were the panels “I Lived on Art and Science,” “Artificial Intelligence or Cultural Hypnosis?”, and “From the Depths to the Stars and Back Again,” which brought together researchers, scientists, artists, science communicators, students, and companies in an open dialogue about the future of skills, the impact of artificial intelligence, and the connection between creativity and scientific research. The stage featured prominent voices such as Amalia Ercoli Finzi, Floriana Ferrara, Lorella Carimati, Stefania Bruni, and Giorgia Fumo, alongside representatives from academia and industry, creating a collective dialogue that blended experience, vision, and innovation.

The afternoon was a crescendo of inspiration and engagement thanks to the contribution of Tecnolaura, a science communicator beloved by younger generations, who brought to the stage the voice of those who communicate technology daily in an accessible and motivating way.

In the final chapter, “Step by STEM,” the voices of the girls and boys who took part in the various stages returned to the forefront. Through their testimonies, they conveyed the most authentic meaning of the event: STEM as a space of freedom, personal growth, and concrete possibility to build one’s own future, step by step.

The day concluded with the STEM Awards ceremony, celebrating women, startups, and companies committed to reducing the gender gap and promoting scientific culture.

The success of the Milan event confirmed its value as a platform for encounter between different worlds united by the shared goal of building a fairer, more innovative future — one in which STEM becomes a space of opportunity for everyone.