Preface: Italy in the European context. What has changed pending Horizon 2020

The current research project adopts a multidisciplinary standpoint, with the aim of investigating the role of Italy in pursuing the EU five targets by 2020; namely: the increase both of employment level and of R&D/ innovation expenditures; the energetic measures for climate change; the reduction of school drop-out rate; and the counter actions against poverty and social exclusion. The book has nine chapters and two sections: the first section embraces those researches regarding the EU economic policies and actions to face the social divide; the second one has its focus on business and environmental sustainability. Although the book has its specific aim and a single theme, it takes the birth from a combination of researches in different fields. Each of them represents an original contribution to its specific field or research. The value added of the book variety of perspectives it adopts to investigate the EU five targets theme: in this way, it can capture a larger audience, both of academics and other categories of readers, than a traditional book. The multi-focal standpoint also reflects the nature and scope of the EuroSapienza Research Center, that is to build a cross-disciplinary and innovative knowledge. Moreover, the book contributes to support the diffusion of an European culture and sense of citizenship: in fact, it attempts to overcome the skepticism toward political institutions, due to the enduring economic crisis, analyzing the impact of EU actions to exit from the negative cycle.