The Mondadori Group is taking another step forward in its path towards responsible business management with the adoption of its Human Rights Policy: a document that further formalises the company’s commitment to protecting and promoting fundamental human values, not only within the organisation but also towards all its stakeholders.

In line with the core principles of the 2025–2027 Sustainability Plan, the guidelines and priority areas of the Policy represent a renewed confirmation of the Group’s focus on social sustainability and on essential principles such as promoting an  inclusive culture, developing knowledge and upholding respect for ideas.

“Access to quality education, the opportunity to participate in cultural life and to benefit from the scientific  progress of one’s country are fundamental rights of every individual, as stated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As Italy’s leading publishing group, we believe we hold a significant responsibility in this regard: every book, every piece of content we publish can help create moments of dialogue, reflection and growth, becoming a tool for inclusion, respect and participation,” said Francesca Rigolio, Chief Sustainability Officer of the Mondadori Group. “It is from this conviction that our Human Rights Policy was born, reinforcing our commitment to contributing to a more equitable and conscious society by integrating these principles into our sustainability strategy and business practices,” Rigolio concluded.

OUR PRIORITIES

The Mondadori Group’s Human Rights Policy is structured around four macro-areas, aligned with the company’s mission and with the evolving context in which it operates:

Civil and political rights: the document places particular emphasis on freedom of thought, opinion and expression. Principles upheld through high-quality editorial production that is accessible to all and aimed at a broad and diverse audience. Priority topics include:

• diversity, equity and inclusion,  fundamental levers for enhancing the company’s competitiveness by  ensuring equal opportunities for professional and personal growth; preventing all forms of discrimination, promoting active listening  and inclusive language.

Economic rights: the Policy places strong importance on the right of every individual to fully realise their potential through access to diverse professional opportunities, fair remuneration and a working environment that places people at the centre     . Among the key areas:

• equal treatment and equal opportunities,  supported  through the continuous monitoring of any pay gaps and through initiatives aimed at dialogue and training to counter every form of discrimination;
• work–life balance, based on a broad concept of integration that enables everyone to harmonise their personal and professional dimensions through specific tools — such as remote working — and a range of programmes supporting parenthood and, more generally, all forms of self-care and caregiving;
• health and wellbeing, essential values promoted through a widespread culture of prevention and awareness campaigns, with particular attention to mental health.

Right to education and culture: the Policy dedicates broad attention to these themes not only as elements that improve professional skills and relationships but above all as drivers of social mobility, critical thinking and active participation. Key topics include:

• education, training and skills development, fundamental tools for personal and professional growth, supported through continuous upskilling programmes in an evolving labour market.

Social rights, including on the one hand the fight against corruption and the protection of privacy, and on the other the active engagement of local communities, readers, authors and teachers through our content offering and the events hosted in our bookstores. And environmental rights, aimed at minimizing the impacts of the Group’s activities across the entire production chain, with particular attention to responsible paper sourcing.

The Human Rights Policy, available on the Mondadori Group website, is complemented by the Linea Etica (Ethics Line), a monitoring and reporting system that integrates human rights protection into the company’s risk assessment and management model.