Weapons and pensions, back-and-forth between Isde and Enpam doctors

They are the classic 'stakeholders' that in finance, the good ones, define by the English term 'stakeholder'. The Italian association of doctors for the environment (Isde) brings together a thousand white coats who are very sensitive to the issue of climate change. This is why, in recent years, they have put constant pressure on the doctors' welfare fund, Enpam, the largest in the sector (27 billion in assets), not to invest in fossil fuels.

In parallel, Isde Italia, which is part of an international network of associations in the field, launched a campaign against war and arms investments, culminating in an open letter sent to Alberto Oliveti, president of Enpam.

"This letter stems from a deep concern shared by many medical contributors, who feel the duty to question the use of social security resources in light of the founding values of the medical profession": this is the incipit of the document sent to the top management of the Social Security Fund to which more than 365,000 active members, doctors and dentists, belong.

Isde Italia's concern about investments in arms by Enpam stems from the pension fund's participation last May in the 'Defence Investment Forum' event in Rome, a closed-door meeting between arms companies, investment funds, and pension funds,' reads the open letter. 'It is well known that the fifth pillar of the 800-billion RearmUE plan intends to involve private players with the aim of getting them to enter the capital of these industries.

Hence the stance of the doctors associated with Isde Italia: 'We can imagine how the military sector exerts an attraction due to the substantial returns it promises, but as doctors we have long disagreed with such types of investment and do not want our pension contributions to go to the arms industry'.