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      • Milan
        • 7 October 2013
         
         

        Banks and the real economy: rethinking roles, responsibilities and rules

          Attendees at this National Conference examining the Italian banking sector noted that, according to economic theory, the financial system has a fundamental role to play in intermediating savings, allowing an efficient allocation of capital with consequent gains in productivity and wellbeing for the entire economy. In the recent past, however, this primary function has been compounded by others that have contributed to a distortion of the financial sector’s role and its relationship with the real economy.

        • Vicenza
          • 29 September 2013
           
           

          Family business as an engine for responsible growth

            The resilience of family businesses, still accounting for over 60% of Italy’s medium-sized and large firms, has been reaffirmed throughout the crisis. However, the protracted recessionary environment and credit crunch, in conjunction with ongoing succession processes, is forcing many of them to fundamentally rethink their business models, financial and ownership structures in order to return to a growth path – or otherwise succumb to the fierce global competition.

          • Rome
            • 25 September 2013
             
             

            Cross‐generation roundtable – Italy today and tomorrow

              This roundtable saw the inception of a debate between various generations on issues of common interest to each of them. The event took its inspiration from Aspen Institute founder Walter Paepcke’s guiding notion that “only in such a fusion of talents, abilities, and philosophies can there be even a modest hope for the future, a partial alleviation of the chaos and misunderstandings of today”.

            • Milan
              • 23 September 2013
               
               

              Of culture and networks: strategies to spur innovation and growth

                The opening premise of this National Interest roundtable was that although Italy boasts a cultural heritage without equal, it is unfortunately not exploited to best advantage through a uniform and identifiable strategy actually capable of generating economic benefits comparable to those produced in other countries despite having a much poorer cultural offering.

              • Rome
                • 18 September 2013
                 
                 

                Italy’s welfare system: living with risk

                  At this roundtable session dealing with the future of Italy’s welfare system, the participants observed that tackling the issue of risk management requires the resolution of an evident paradox, namely, that while the risks to which households and firms are exposed are becoming greater in number and increasingly serious, the public resources needed to address them are in ever more limited supply.

                • Venice
                  • 12 July 2013
                   
                   

                  Building a responsible citizenship: values, ideas, participation

                    The opening premise of this ASL session was that any examination of the concept of responsible citizenship must first focus on the value system that underpins the relationship between citizens and their leaders. At the heart of this relationship (often perceived as dichotomous in nature) is a paradigm now challenged by growing grassroots demand for proof of legitimacy. Rising to such demands is a clear priority for leaders capable of steering and shaping the course of events.

                  • Venice
                    • 12 July 2013
                     
                     

                    Smart cities in a multipolar world: infrastructure, services, sustainable transport

                      Driving discussion at this ASL session on smart cities was the recognition that, in the midst of the polycentric globalization process unfolding, cities are becoming hubs of increasingly smarter networks capable of galvanizing and generating new momentum for innovation and growth. Any satellite photo will suffice to reveal a web of interconnected urban expanses, serving as crossroads and convergence points for tangible and intangible infrastructure.

                    • Venice
                      • 12 July 2013
                       
                       

                      (R)evolutions in the digital ecosystem: rethinking business, consumers and government

                        The aphorism “The fast will eat the slow” was held up at this ASL seminar as the harsh law governing the digital ecosystem of today and tomorrow. To be “fast”, however, implies being able to rely on technologically-advanced infrastructure capable of sustaining competition at an international level. Indeed, major firms are continuing to invest in technology, even in the midst of the current crisis, precisely because of their acceptance that competitiveness drives economic growth, and that improving education and speeding up bureaucracy are not sufficient alone.

                      • Venice
                        • 12 July 2013
                         
                         

                        Challenges and opportunities for a changing society: older, wiser, healthier

                          The point of departure for discussions at this ASL session was an acknowledgement that the gradual but inexorable process of population aging is having profound effects on the demographic and economic structure of societies. In this regard, the participants pointed to forecast trends that speak volumes: in all developed countries, and especially in Italy, Japan and Germany, the proportion of elderly people relative to the total population will continue to rise substantially.

                        • Venice
                          • 12 July 2013
                           
                           

                          Global energy outlook and the big transitions

                            Given the unique role played by the energy sector in the global economy, the current recession makes it imperative to take stock of the major trends unfolding in the industry. Before the crisis, the sector seemed on the verge of a major restructuring, due to the combined impact of new sources of natural gas and mounting environmental concerns. The effects of the intervening global downturn, though yet to be fully gauged, are in any event set to be asymmetrical.

                          • Venice
                            • 12 July 2013
                             
                             

                            Governing complexity in the country system: challenges, priorities and Italy’s choices

                              Debate at this ASL session focused on framing the complexities of Italy’s economic system within an international context widely held to be in a state of crisis. It was submitted that a closer look at the real economy reveals a need to bolster the international competitive ranking of Italian firms and sectors with reforms capable of shaping the future evolution of the country’s education and research sector, the functioning of the labor market, and the banking and financial system.

                            • Naples
                              • 5 July 2013
                               
                               

                              The changing Mediterranean: the quest for growth and the Gulf factor

                                Discussions at this 2-day event got underway with the observation that the Mediterranean Sea clearly connects Europe not just with North Africa, but also the Middle East, the Anatolian Peninsula, and the Persian Gulf. All these axes present opportunities for growth through greater interdependence, in spite of the current difficulties being experienced by European economies and the political uncertainty holding back those on the southern shores of the Mediterranean.

                              • Rome
                                • 25 June 2013
                                 
                                 

                                New infrastructure to help Italian business compete on the international scene

                                  This National Interest roundtable served as an opportunity to present and discuss the preliminary findings of the study initiated by Fondazione Enel, in conjunction with the LUISS Guido Carli University and Aspen Institute Italia. Those in attendance were provided with an abridged version of the final report which will be presented in the fourth quarter of the year.

                                • Milan
                                  • 17 June 2013
                                   
                                   

                                  E‐commerce, security, distribution channels: opportunities and challenges for businesses and consumers

                                    At this national roundtable discussion, it was observed that the global phenomenon known as e-commerce is bringing about a paradigm shift in distribution models for products and services. In a scenario of constantly increasing online sales, growth in this sector seems unlikely to slow down, thanks also to the spread of new technologies – such as smartphones and tablets – that are making the consumer experience even more effortless. Globally, the number of cell phones far exceeds not only that of televisions, but also mundane everyday items such as toothbrushes.