The School Project supported by Fondazione Conad Ets gets underway again with a meeting on fake news and AI

The fifth edition of the School Project, organised by Unisona and supported by Fondazione Conad Ets, got underway with the national event “True, almost true, false”, broadcast via live streaming and followed by 30.000 students from 307 secondary schools across Italy.

Recognising reliable information

An event which, during the month of cybersecurity, placed at the centre of the discussion an issue that closely concerns younger generations but affects society as a whole: how to recognise reliable information in a context in which algorithms, social networks and artificial intelligence are profoundly changing the way in which news is produced, disseminated and interpreted.

The students were guided through the mechanisms of contemporary information by Francesco Cancellato, editor-in-chief of Fanpage.it; David Puente, deputy editor of Open.online, with responsibility for fact-checking; Walter Quattrociocchi, full professor of Computer Science at Sapienza University of Rome and director of the Center for Data Science and Complexity for Society; and Beatrice Puglisi, local editorial manager and project manager at Scomodo, an independent news organisation founded through the initiative of younger generations. The discussion was chaired by Alessandra Tedesco, a journalist with Radio 24 – Il Sole 24 Ore.

The discussion thus highlighted the importance of tracing sources, distinguishing facts from opinions, recognising manipulation techniques and understanding how the digital tools through which we obtain information work. The aim of the School Project is not to provide ready-made answers, but to create opportunities for girls and boys to engage with authoritative speakers, develop tools for understanding and form their own independent opinions.

“The possibility of accessing reliable information is fundamental to young people's development,” says Maria Cristina Alfieri, secretary-general and director of Fondazione Conad Ets. “Today, young people move through an extremely rich information environment, but one that is not always easy to interpret. Helping them find their way means providing them with the tools to recognise the value of sources, distinguish facts from opinions and understand the mechanisms that can alter our perception of reality. In a context in which even what appears authentic may be the result of manipulation, it is important to nurture curiosity, doubt and the habit of asking questions. The ability to think for yourself starts right here.”

A new series of events

“True, almost true, false” marks the start of the new national cycle of the School Project, which offers students across Italy free opportunities to explore and discuss highly topical issues, thanks to the support of Fondazione Conad Ets and the five Conad Cooperatives.

The programme will continue on 3 December with “Invisible worlds. The science shaping the future”, dedicated to the new frontiers of research and the technologies that are transforming our lives; on 14 January 2027 with “Addictions up close”, a discussion on risky behaviours and new forms of addiction; and in 11 March with “Now it’s our turn to speak”, an event that will put the ideas, experiences and proposals of younger generations at the centre.

Alongside these events is “Pages of legality”, a programme developed with Fondazione Scintille di Futuro Ets, chaired by Pietro Grasso, dedicated to remembrance, legality and active citizenship. A journey that will accompany students and teachers throughout the school year and culminate on 22 April 2027 in a major national live broadcast from the Aula Bunker in Palermo, as part of the “The Right Course” project.

“With the School Project, we want to continue our commitment to placing younger generations, their experiences and their desire to play a leading role at the centre,” emphasises Maria Cristina Alfieri. “This year, the programme is enriched by a particularly significant experience such as The Right Course, which will enable thousands of young people to discover, including through a journey from Naples to Palermo, places and figures that symbolise civic engagement and the defence of legality. We believe that remembering the past also means better understanding the present and recognising the responsibility that each person has in shaping the future. The involvement of the five Conad Cooperatives reinforces this vision, bringing the project closer to schools and local communities and making local areas an active part of a shared commitment.”

The events, organised by Unisona, are accompanied by [[ARTW_HTMLOPEN_AAAZ] educational materials made available to schools, so that the topics addressed during the live broadcasts can also be explored and discussed afterwards in the classroom.

The School Project in local communities

Alongside national participation via streaming, the School Project highlights the involvement of the five Conad Cooperatives (Conad Nord Ovest, Conad Centro Nord, CIA Conad, Conad Adriatico and Pac 2000A), which help to strengthen the connection with schools and local communities, promoting opportunities for participation and discussion in local areas. During the “True, almost true, false” event, approximately 800 students took part collectively in the live broadcast from Potenza, Sassari, Brescia, Pesaro and Assisi (Pg), gathering in the towns' cinemas or in the assembly halls of their schools.

An opportunity to share the experience with classmates and teachers, transforming a national event into a moment of participation also experienced within local school communities and enriched by the presence of representatives of institutions, experts and local associations.

This article was translated from the original Italian version with the assistance of artificial intelligence. In case of discrepancies, please refer to the original Italian version.