Università e Terza Missione. Riflessioni su un innovativo progetto di formazione e sostegno a favore dei tutori volontari di minori stranieri non accompagnati in Piemonte.

[Machine translation] The article critically analyzes the Piedmontese experience of training and supporting volunteer tutors of unaccompanied foreign minors (MSNA), highlighting some salient aspects within the framework of the Third Mission and the Public Engagement of universities. In fact, through these different types of initiatives, universities actively contribute to the life of society, with important social and cultural repercussions (National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research, Anvur, 2018). The Guarantor for Children of the Piedmont Region has assigned to the University of Turin and, since May 2018, also to that of Eastern Piedmont, the scientific and organizational responsibility for the training of aspiring volunteer tutors, of supporting appointed tutors and for updating on the issues of voluntary protection aimed at professionals of territorial social services and operators of the communities that host MSNA. The project that has been carried out can be considered a good example of the social responsibility of the academic world that intervenes concretely in the local territory and on migration issues. It can be considered unique at the national level and perhaps a model that could be replicated in other territories. The article examines the training, which has taken place or is in progress, and the type of support designed by Piedmontese universities for MSNA's volunteer tutors. In addition, it aims to indicate how, through interdisciplinarity, the intertwining between theory and practice and interinstitutional collaboration, universities overcome the role of service in their Third Mission activities. Even with some critical issues, a virtuous circle is nourished, which enhances the reciprocity between reception networks, research and university teaching. The positive impact of the Piedmontese university experience in the territory is confirmed by some data: as of March 6, 2019, there were 527 aspiring tutors trained or in training; 318 names were on the list at the Turin Juvenile Court; a hundred tutors were appointed to participate in the accompanying groups. , ABSTRACT, The article critically analyzes the experience of the Piedmont region in training and supporting voluntary guardians of Unaccompanied Minors (UM), highlighting aspects relevant to Universities’ ‘Third Mission’ and Public Engagement. Through these types of activities, universities actively contribute to society in various ways, with activities and initiatives that have important social and cultural effects (Anvur, 2018). The Piedmont Ombudsman for Children delegated to the University of Turin and, from May 2018, also to the University of Eastern Piedmont, the scientific and organizational responsibility for training and support of those wishing to be voluntary guardians as well as training of those selected to be tutors, and updating personnel in local social services and care facilities that host UM on the responsibilities of voluntary tutors. This was a good example of the social responsibility of Academia intervening concretely for the local territory and in migration issues. This seems to have been a first within Italy so it is of interest as a model, which might be replicated in other places. The article examines the training, which has taken place or is in course, and the kind of support designed by Piedmont Universities for UM voluntary guardians. Moreover, we highlight how, through interdisciplinarity, the interweaving between theoretical and practical and inter-institutional collaboration, universities overcome the role of “service” in their third mission activities. Despite some problems, a virtuous circle was created, enhancing reciprocity between institutions dealing with the inclusion of migrants, university research and education. The positive impact of the experience of Piedmont Universities in the area is confirmed by data: by March 6 2019, there were 527 potential guardians trained or in training; 318 were the names on the voluntary guardians list of the Turin Juvenile Court; around one hundred guardians are participating in support groups.