In order to deploy general mission and values derived from the international IEEE WIE, we have defined a roadmap to pursue these objectives at national level, to recruit more and more volunteers to support and spread these initiatives and to build up and share a contribution towards a big cultural change at the basis of our economic growth.

Our objectives stem from the analysis of the current situation of women in STEM in Europe and in Italy, where it is foreseen a shortage of up to 900,000 skilled information and communication technology workers by 2020.

If there were as many women as men in the digital job market, the EU’s annual GDP could be boosted by €9 billion. In Italy, enlarging the number of employed women can ‘automatically’ determine a greater GDP: the 60% of working women could increase the GDP of the 7%. These figures show that enlarging the presence of women of STEM is the basis for the growth of our country, as well as a great cultural change.

In particular, we aim to:

• Facilitate the development of educational programs and activities that promote the entry into, and retention of women in engineering
• Advocate women in leadership roles in IEEE governance, and career advancement for women in STEM professions
• Organize events and receptions to enhance awareness, share best practices and promote new memberships in WIE
• Establish a Network with similar initiatives and cooperate with other groups, reinforcing their effectiveness at national and international level.