At the Head of AVSI, Giampaolo Meets the Challenge in 30 Countries

The Stoics thought that reality is a combination of events that are linked to one another by chance, which individuals have very little control over. Giampaolo Silvestri's story also recalls a long chain of events which are connected to one another. He received a Bocconi degree in Business Adminstration and PA management in 1995, and now holds the job of secretary-general of AVSI, an international organization which has created development cooperation projects for over forty years. But unlike Zeno, Silvestri has influenced the connections which have determined his life path. "When I was trying to decide where I should do my civil service, I chose AVSI, an association involved in social work that I already knew a lot about." Over the years, AVSI grew and eventually became a foundation which works in 30 countries throughout the world, with over one hundred development projects in the education, health, and agricultural sectors, and is active in the international adoption network. "In addition, we also propose an innovative approach to dramatic current events, like forced migrations".

And Silvestri grew alongside the foundation. "After civil service, I decided to stay with AVSI and work in the administrative sector, but then I worked on several projects in Eastern Europe and Africa, and my horizons broadened until I took on my current role, which is attributable to that of managing director". Besides managing patrimony, Silvestri coordinates 50 people in Italy and the work of 1,300 operators working globally. Bocconi's imprinting has enabled him to join professionalism and idealism, and has provided him with a global vision and the tools needed to face international challenges which require a strong ability to analyze situations, case by case. For example, in Africa it's common to encounter a certain amount of inflexibility in institutions.

This is due in part to the fact that from the point of view of relations, the concept of first and third worlds no longer exists: exchanges are characterized by a newly-found pride. "I travel a lot in the world, and one of the most exciting aspects I've discovered is the possibility to experience, firsthand, whatever is happening at that moment, without mediations. Every day I work with people who come from other cultures, some of whom have become friends. My home has become their home: with my wife – who is also a Bocconian and my primary supporter – and our five children, we often share pleasant moments together with people of different origins".