Geopolitical Security Of University Staff In Teaching / Research Activities Abroad: Innovative And Prospective Proposal To Identify And Prevent Emerging Geopolitical Risks

Abstract

Scientific research is now one of the key factors for the growth and development of society in the medium to long
term by virtue of its potential ability to provide innovation through technological application; the frequent exchanges
of scholars and researchers of different nationalities make it possible to pursue collaborative projects that lead to
the growth of knowledge in science and technology. More generally, international exchanges are an opportunity for
intercultural, social and linguistic learning.
Going abroad, whatever the activity (teaching or research), has advantages and disadvantages that consist in the
simple adaptation of life and laws of the same, but also the exposure to unforeseen or underestimated risks when
planning the travel.
In the university case, the assessment area extends to workers related to the same, to students when equated with
workers in laboratory activities. Both workers (for example researchers, doctoral students, etc.) and students (Erasmus) can carry out field activities in areas outside the head office which are effectively equivalent to a laboratory.
Globalization, although it has reduced physical distances, has not been able to neutralize the cultural, ethnic, religious and political divisions that require a continuous process of evaluation and monitoring of the risks to which the
traveler may be exposed: plan activities; schedule an immediate return; Identify trusted people for reference and
support on the spot; always communicate your movements in advance; Having a knowledge of the cultural and anthropological factors of the country’s social fabric become decisive factors in the decision to spend a period abroad.
The topic is addressed in this work in light of the obligation provided for by art. 28 of Legislative Decree 81/08 which
requires the employer to assess all risks to the health and safety of workers. If the assessment of the risks ordinarily
attributable to one’s activities is taken for granted, the assessment of those ones dependent on the danger deriving
from the socio-political, health and economic scenario is not taken for granted, although they can cause accidents,
even lethal and the onset of serious occupational diseases affecting its employees.
With the resumption of ordinary teaching and research activities, following the Sars-Cov2 pandemic, the problem
of occupational safety for people engaged in scientific activities will be seriously raised again in scenarios exposed
to possible geopolitical risks, therefore it will be it is necessary to activate specific training and information for the
personnel involved.
The procedure devised is composed, as borrowed from the corporate risk assessment, of a monitoring phase and an
information and training phase which can be summarized as follows:
Administration to personnel who intend to carry out a mission / trip abroad of a specific information questionnaire on
the conditions of the stay and of the reference context;
Provide the personnel authorized for the mission / transfer with support also with information and training material;
Drafting of a vademecum with general information on:
· territorial and logistical risk divided into: a) health aspects; b) territory; c) logistics.
· Cultural and language differences: a) knowledge of the language of the country / locality; b) differences of
gender, race, religion, culture.
· Crime and social order:

a) unstable social-political economic context;

b) presence of militias and organized crime;

c) area with conditions of crisis and military conflicts.

Upon returning from the mission / trip, request the compilation of an information sheet on the risk conditions of the
host country for the establishment of a Departmental database.
The procedure thus tested will make it possible to fill a gap in the risk assessment process by providing a first approach to a topic, that of the risk associated with travel / missions abroad, often underestimated in business contexts