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Kick-starting talks at this session of the Aspen Mediterranean Initiative was the observation that the arduous and variegated evolution of the Mediterranean region needs to be viewed within the prevailing global context.
In the immediate post-war period Italy chose to adopt a lightweight economic policy, and it remained as such for the following few decades. Since the 1970s, however, we have been witnessing the emergence of a parallel state that introduced an era of a debt democracy, characterized by the proliferation of rules, excessive bureaucracy, the explosion of spending and with that an increase in debt. This economic degeneration is taking place within a general anthropological and cultural degeneration.
Conservation vs. change, protection vs. openness, and domestic focus vs. global reach: these juxtapositions prompted participants at this national roundtable to highlight that a cursory examination of the public debate over the prospects of the Italian audiovisual industry would seem to reflect – if not reduce it to – a simplistic dichotomy between old and new market players.
Opening proceedings at this ASL session was the observation that industry is once more the focus of economic growth strategies in the major advanced economies, having been so all along in emerging markets. Taking off first in the US, this approach has recently gained purchase in Europe as well, such that industrial policy, which until a few years ago was considered old hat, has again become key in the formulation of economic policy strategies.
Headlining discussions at this ASL seminar was the observation that innovation – a key factor for growth, competitiveness and social wellbeing – requires that a series of tangible and intangible conditions be met in for it to be given full expression. Only thus – it was argued – will it be possible to harness creative talent, transform flashes of inspiration into concrete outcomes, and support business vision and ideas. The fostering of innovation was viewed, especially at this juncture, as imperative for the Italian economy, which needs to reinvigorate its manufacturing base.
Kick-starting discussions at this ASL seminar was the observation that the consumer of today is an increasingly fluid figure that resists interpretation pursuant to paradigms superseded through the radical changes brought about by new technologies, as well as through an economic crisis that has altered individuals’ priorities and given rise to new patterns of consumption.
Debate at this ASL session focused on examining the impact in Italy of global developments in tourism, with the participants acknowledging from the outset that both quantitative and qualitative changes in the industry require the country to formulate appropriate strategies if it wishes to ensure that the sector remains a key lever of its economy.
The participants at this ASL seminar noted that Europe has made it past the most acute phase of the economic and financial crisis, but is still struggling to embark on a virtuous process of sweeping and sustained growth.
It was felt that in order to accomplish this, the Member States need to fully seize the opportunities offered by the digital revolution and confront the associated challenges and risks – including to the quality of democracy – arising from the change that this technological paradigm brings with it.
Participants at this Aspen Seminar for Leaders session were unanimous in their agreement that social networks are neither good nor bad per se, but that what is open for debate is the way in which social media interact with democracy, and the way in which governments are responding to the growing power of new communications tools. While those in attendance were left in no doubt that the popular protests of today – such as those that erupted in North Africa – take off and gain momentum online, the internet does not always suffice to ensure that any resulting change is permanent.
Proceedings at this Aspen Italia City of Venice Forum got underway with recognition by those present of the difficulty in unambiguously defining what constitutes a “smart city”. On the one hand, it can be associated with the integrated application of innovative technologies to the management of a city, and on the other, it evokes the adoption of methodologies to optimize and coordinate low-cost solutions and best practices already in use, or at least already known of.
Discussions at this National Roundtable session opened with the observation that, due to its natural characteristics and anthropological factors, Italy may be considered as being exposed to a high level of disaster risk. As a preliminary step towards putting the phenomenon in context, the participants felt it useful to cite a number of statistics. Since 1900, earthquakes have caused around 160,000 deaths in Italy, while since the Second World War alone, there have been 1,061 lethal landslides, and at least 672 fatal floods.
With issue 64 of the Institute’s Aspenia journal dedicated to Brazil, the panel discussion for the launch of the volume focused on examining recent developments in a country that has come through several consecutive years of internal political stability, during which the foundations were laid for its sustainable economic growth and greater international influence.
The title of this event yielded three key words for a debate on modern leadership: change, uncertainty and complexity. The proceedings got underway with the observation that any discussion of change entails assessing the various geographical and temporal factors that are increasingly impacting personal and professional life. Twenty years ago, the reach of professional activities was limited to the West, whereas today it is extending more and more towards emerging countries.
Discussions at this National Interest event were kicked off with the observation that Italy needs a more systemic and cross-cutting culture of sustainability and efficiency: the former in order to build a green society, and the latter to achieve improved energy efficiency and a more prudent use of natural resources. To that end, it was deemed essential that a strategic plan be devised which takes the Italian public duly into account, with efforts made to raise wider awareness particularly with respect to energy costs.
Proceedings at this national roundtable got underway with participants observing that Italy periodically looks to privatization as a means to restoring the fragile fortunes of its public finances. Yet while the increasingly straitened condition of these finances is what gives rise, from time to time, to the need to engage in such sell-offs, privatization cannot and should not merely entail a quick grab for cash. Indeed, the roundtable saw a number of different aspects of privatization discussed.
For the eighth year running and in conjunction with The Aspen Institute, the Aspen Seminar on Values and Society was held in Italy.
The seminar is dedicated to commemorating Ennio Presutti, one of the founders of Aspen Institute Italia, who passed away in 2008.
The fourth annual Aspen Seminar on Leadership, Globalization and the Quest for Common Values was once again organized by Aspen Institute Italia in collaboration with The Aspen Institute US.
The seminar is dedicated to commemorating Ennio Presutti, one of the founders of Aspen Institute Italia, who passed away in 2008.
