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      • Rome
      • 13 July 2011
         
         

        Energy: in search of the right mix

          The panelists at the presentation of the latest issue of Aspenia emphasized that the search for a better energy mix should start with the premise that there is no magic formula. The most prudent choices – whether political or business – must be forward-looking, that is, not merely focused on short-term needs. It was conceded, however, that no energy mix can fully meet all the criteria for an ideal blend, including: security of supply, market competitiveness, and low environmental impact.

        • Rome
        • 6 July 2011
           
           

          The role of international businesses in Italy’s economic growth

            This roundtable saw those in attendance debate the role that foreign-owned firms play in the Italian economy, particularly with a view to identifying approaches and measures that could enable foreign direct investment inflows to be improved.

          • Rome
          • 4 July 2011
             
             

            Radek Sikorsky at Aspen Institute Italia

              Radek Sikorsky at Aspen Institute Italia. The Foreign Minister of Poland held an off the record seminar at our Institute. The debate focused on the principle themes of European foreign policy and Poland’s priorities for the EU presidency. Sikorsky is the author of a book on Afghanistan which was recently published also in Italy.

               

            • Stresa (Verbania)
            • 26 June 2011
               
               

              Family businesses: leading the future

                The focus of this international conference was the family-run firm, without question the most widely-used business ownership and organizational structure. It was noted that in Europe and the Anglo-Saxon world, and in the Far East and more recently emergent countries, the family business constitutes – albeit to greater or lesser extents and with marked differences from region to region – a key pillar of the global economy, in the production of wealth as well as in job creation.

              • Milan
              • 13 June 2011
                 
                 

                Health and well-being: new models of sustainable development

                  As an opening premise, the participants at this National Conference noted that any reflection on the future of the Italian national health service must first start with an analysis of the value produced for the country in health terms. In this regard, statistics were cited indicating that between 1951 and the present day, life expectancy in Italy has increased by 1 month every 4 months. Italy also has the longest-lived population in Europe, with over-65s already making up 20% of the population, or 12 million people, of whom 3.5 million are over 80 years old (6%).

                • Spoleto
                • 10 June 2011
                   
                   

                  The Enlightenment and the Transatlantic Link: Common Roots and Today’s Challenges

                    This follow-up session to the November 2009 Aspen Italia Seminar (then held in Rome) on “The Enlightenment and the Transatlantic Link: Common Roots and Today’s Challenges” took place within the setting of Spoleto’s Palazzo Ancaiani. The event was organized in conjunction with The Aspen Institute and was aimed at discussing the continued relevance today of Enlightenment values, through an interpretation of over forty selected texts by American and European authors, including several from Italy.

                  • Rome
                  • 7 June 2011
                     
                     

                    Reforming corporate governance: proposals and tools

                      The participants at this National Roundtable noted that, in recent years, the corporate governance of Italian firms has changed in a rapid and decisive – though in some ways haphazard –  manner. This process, which started in the 1990s, particularly in the wake of the wave of privatizations, was intended to make the financial market more attractive to foreign and Italian investors by providing greater guarantees for the protection of minority shareholders.

                    • Milan
                    • 6 June 2011
                       
                       

                      Exports: relaunching Italian enterprise

                        Kicking off this roundtable discussion was the observation that, in the coming years, exports are set to be the engine of growth for all European countries and, in particular, for Italy. Indeed, the rapid development of emerging economies suggests not only increasing imports of capital goods, but also of consumer goods. It was therefore seen as imperative for an economy as traditionally export-oriented as Italy’s to understand how to seize the opportunities opening up in global markets.

                      • Rome
                      • 26 May 2011
                         
                         

                        Italy in the future tense. Values, culture, skills, competitiveness

                          This Aspen Junior Fellow Breakfast event saw the participants make a concerted effort to examine the individual challenges facing Italy through a broader frame of reference. It was noted that the long-term inertial forecast is one of a country that is aging and characterized by increasing levels of immigration, a widening North-South divide, the persistence of a detrimental public deficit, and insufficient productivity to maintain the level of prosperity hitherto achieved. This outlook, it was observed, feeds into a longstanding rhetoric of decline and defeat that is rife in Italy.

                        • Rome
                        • 24 May 2011
                           
                           

                          From Arab spring to Arab winter? Regional trends and implications for business

                            Those attending this Aspen Mediterranean Initiative workshop set out to evaluate the impact of the so-called “Arab spring” on the economies of North Africa and on the wider Mediterranean region. The event, which saw the participation of key political and business figures from the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean, also marked the launch of Aspen Institute Italia’s Mediterranean Program.

                          • Rome
                          • 18 May 2011
                             
                             

                            Italy’s savings: how to make it work for the country’s development and well-being

                              Opening the discussion at this National Roundtable was the observation that Italy’s stock of personal savings continues to highlight its strong position as a country with among the highest per-capita net worth in the world. Nevertheless, it was acknowledged that in order to give a complete picture of the situation, two areas in which Italy diverges from, in particular, other major European countries, need to be considered.

                            • Milan
                            • 8 May 2011
                               
                               

                              Jobs, growth and values. Creating opportunities for new generations

                                The Dialogue session got underway with the observation that the world economic recovery has failed to alleviate the social impact of the crisis, with the improving economic situation having no appreciable effect on employment. The participants highlighted that this phenomenon affects both workers in more mature sectors – that is, those most exposed to the consequences of globalization – as well as younger people, who are just entering the labor market.

                              • Milan
                              • 2 May 2011
                                 
                                 

                                The new media, the power of information and business

                                  Underpinning the discussions at this Aspen national roundtable session on “The new media, the power of information and business” was the notion that the internet could serve as a driver of growth in Italy on the condition that the internet economy bears part of the massive costs associated with its own development. Recent studies were cited which estimate that the internet economy in Italy today accounts for 2% of the country’s gross domestic product, with expected growth margins by 2015 of between 3.3% and 4.3%.

                                • Rome
                                • 27 April 2011
                                   
                                   

                                  Information services in the security sector: protecting Italy’s financial and industrial system

                                    The participants at this National Roundtable opened the discussion by observing that following the reform of the Italian intelligence services, the activities of the relevant agencies are no longer confined to the protection of the political and military interests of the country, but also extend to defending its “economic, scientific and industrial” interests.

                                  • Milan
                                  • 18 April 2011
                                     
                                     

                                    Investing in stocks, controlling company shares and corporate governance

                                      Paving the way for discussions at this National Roundtable session was the acknowledgement that in a climate where globalization processes are playing an increasingly more central role in Italy’s social and economic development, Italian firms also need to gear themselves up to being more globally competitive. Achieving this objective, it was suggested, brings with it a renewed need for financing or refinancing of many of the country’s firms and banks.

                                    • Milan
                                    • 11 April 2011
                                       
                                       

                                      The design industry: value added for Italy’s economic growth

                                        Added value of over 140 billion euros and employment for around 3.3 million people: this was the snapshot, in figures, presented at this National Interest roundtable session of the engine of Italy’s manufacturing system, driven by the country’s leading sectors – the so-called “4 Fs” of the Made-in-Italy industry: Ferrari cars and non-electronic machinery and equipment, fashion and clothing, food and beverage, and furniture and wood products.

                                      • Milan
                                      • 28 March 2011
                                         
                                         

                                        Italy’s past and national identity: a reflection

                                          National identity versus fierce local allegiances; the dichotomy of Northern and Southern Italy versus a creeping uniformity precipitated by globalization; Italy as an old idea already existing in Dante, versus a relatively young nation-State born a mere century and a half ago; a country seemingly intent on dwelling on its own shortcomings internally, versus a country admired elsewhere for its art, culture and lifestyle: this was the contradictory and complex image of Italy which emerged at this national interest event devoted to examining the country’s identity and shared history and exper