This seminar was also part of the national interest cycle. The discussion aimed to formulate proposals on how to create an integrated system of physical infrastructures, to boost Italian competitiveness in global markets. Infrastructure networks are an architecture around which multiple services can be developed. These, in turn, contribute to the growth of the economic system.
This seminar, part of a cycle of meetings on important issues dedicated to Italy’s national interests, addressed the main approach that should be taken to affirm the culture of value and quality of rules. In Italy, the perception that there is a lack of respect for the rules goes hand in hand with an unwieldy regulatory system lacking transparency. If those same rules were well designed and synthesized, they would contribute to social and economic development. Today, however, they are perceived as – and indeed sometimes are – an impediment to the country’s growth and modernization.
This seminar examined those elements that constitute the strength and value of Italy’s namebrand, to understand possible strategies that can help build up a distinctive position for the country in the global market. Thanks to our first-class historic/artistic heritage, together with a proclivity for innovation, our past has given us a privileged position in the world. Italy’s strengths lie in its creativity, lifestyle, love of beauty and innate aesthetic sense. These are the elements on which “Made in Italy” is based; they should be further taken advantage of to develop Italy’s brand name.
Innovation has had a very strong impact on the world of telecommunications and media, and is profoundly changing the industry. This seminar sought to analyze the consequences of this revolution in order to understand new opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors, and to assess the transformation of individuals and society in an increasingly interconnected future. Web 2.0 is redefining identities and local boundaries and represents a challenge for politics and governments worldwide.
This conference focussed on the evolution of traditional political categories, from reform liberalism to liberal socialism, from economic values to development and equal opportunity, from individual merit to corporate mentality, the role of the state and the independence of enterprise. Different solutions have been developed throughout Europe: from the Grosse Koalition in Germany to “neocentralism” in the UK, to a definitive abolishment of the left-right divide (as some defined it) in France.
This roundtable was born of a bitter truth: in this era of communication, talking and listening – which should be the pillars of our interpersonal relations – are considered less important than looking. Dialogue is no longer a balanced and respectful form of interaction, as it should be between two speaking individuals. Everyday relations in the workplace are an example: those higher up in the hierarchy often forget that they are surrounded by valid elements, by thinking human beings who are worth listening to. Participants agreed that today images often replace words.
The conference “Politics and anti-politics” highlighted many of the historic problems in the Italians’ relationship with politics. Italians have not always been so detached from the institutions and their representatives. The unpopularity of politics today can be explained first by the fact that it is perceived as a way of occupying public space and not as a service to the citizen. Secondly, Italians generally view their politicians as immoral, extremely expensive and inefficient.
The roundtable “Integrated pension plans: present picture and prospects for the future” highlighted the relationship between demographics, aging and pension systems. It took a close look at the lack of financial sustainability of the latter without any tax intervention on salaries and on the general population. Participants analyzed the solutions adopted by most of the OECD countries and there was a discussion of some of the best practices worldwide.
The yearly conference offers an important moment to reflect on the prevailing trends of the world economy in the medium and long term. The 2007 edition examined the question of the weaker dollar as a way of analyzing prospects for the euro and global financial relations. Discussion revolved around the weakened US currency and whether it will remain the pivot of the international monetary system. At the same time, participants looked at the strength of the euro and its rapid growth as a world reserve currency.
The ninth Friends of Aspen meeting was held in Milan’s evocative Teatro Studio of the Piccolo Teatro di Milano. Participants debated present relations between the world of culture and that of business and finance. The meeting also offered a chance to introduce the group’s new members and to illustrate present and future activities. In particular, an announcement was made of the group’s upcoming yearly conference – the twelfth – to be held at Teatro Reggio in Parma at the end of November.
This meeting, open to the press, offered the chance to analyze how the growth of Islamic fundamentalism risks endangering Israel’s very existence. The Middle East question, which might also be viewed as an Arab-Persian question, puts Israel at the center of all the region’s complex dynamics. This debate presented various points of view on the future of the Jewish state and on the relationship between Israel and Europe. Particular attention was paid to the situation in which Jerusalem and the Holy Sites find themselves as well as the state of affairs between Israel and the Vatican.
The conference stemmed from an analysis of how the Made in Italy label is perceived in major countries. The debate highlighted that, although businesses operating in the so-called three “F” sectors of the Italian economy (namely, food, fashion and furniture) are sought after, outside Italy there is recognition of the existence of other areas of excellence which deserve to be rewarded.
The roundtable began with speeches by Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Massimo D’Alema and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and President of Gazprom Dmitri Medvedev. The encounter was a unique opportunity to examine the state of Italian-Russian relations with a special focus on the energy question. The debate highlighted the excellent trend in relations between the two countries and the encouraging prospects for future agreements, not only in the energy sector but also in other sectors – the high-tech one in particular.
The Italian language, with its rich traditions, history and culture, today finds itself squashed between the onslaught of English on the one hand and the persistence of dialects on the other. It risks being reduced to a language employed faithfully only in bureaucratic circles. Though disaster is not yet in sight, it would behoove us to confront the issue sooner rather than later, in political debate and in universities, especially as youth are particularly prone to linguistic degradation.
Next Generation Networks (NGN) are true information highways, along which great amounts of information can flow. Their technological neutrality allows them to offer services that are independent of current networks. This novelty presents an opportunity to increase Italy’s competitiveness: to take advantage of it, the country must make swift and substantial investments – both private and public – as well as important political and legal decisions. In particular, Italy will have to resolve some sticky problems, building new infrastructure and splitting up networks.
The roundtable's opening address was given by Dr. James F. Albaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and Executive Vice President of The Boeing Company. Dr Albaugh alerted the gathering to the lack of young talent in the aerospace and high tech industries. He also underlined the gap between Europe and the United States in the defense industry and public allocations for acquisitions and research in the sector. In 2005, EU countries spent 35 billion dollars in arms investments compared to the 103 billion spent by the US.
The seminar on “Europe’s financial markets and global competition”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, set out to assess the competitiveness of the European financial system and its prospects for further integration and consolidation. Particular attention was also paid to the legislative framework and whether it was capable of keeping pace with rapid changes in the market.
The impetus for the seminar on “Italy and its élites: proposals for a new ruling class”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, grew out of an awareness of the urgent need for a new class of leaders to be established in the various sectors of Italian society.
