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      • Rome
        • 15 February 2006
         
         

        Social security and pensions

          This meeting offered the occasion to discuss in depth the current situation and evaluate actions to be taken by both institutional and economic actors in order to meet new social challenges. here have been radical demographic, economic and social changes over the past few decades, and an urgent need has risen for European governments to reform their welfare systems. These must be adapted to new realities, without destroying a healthy sense of solidarity. The Italian situation is particularly delicate in this phase of transformation towards new pension plans.

        • Milan
          • 6 February 2006
           
           

          Italy and the implementation of the Lisbon agenda

            The Roundtable on “Italy and the implementation of the Lisbon agenda” was an occasion for Aspen members to discuss Italy’s contribution to the implementation of the Lisbon 2000 agreements between EU countries. Participants discussed the validity and integration of the National Reform Plan that Italy is going to present at the next European Council meeting to be held in Spring. Particular interest was given to the liberalization of the service sector (in accordance to EU policies), to making price determination criteria and demand liberalization.

          • Rome
            • 1 February 2006
             
             

            Securing the European homeland

              The international workshop on “Securing the European Homeland” was held in Rome last Febraury 2nd. The meeting focused on the threats to internal security in EU countries and on what is currently being done in Brussels and in EU capitals to respond to the risk of terrorism. From the discussion it emerged that steps have been taken in the direction of defining possible threats, to the levels of coordination of safety measures and in terms of security legislation, although there are still great difficulties in determining the dynamics of transnational criminal trends.

            • Milan
              • 30 January 2006
               
               

              Industrial districts, the Italian brand and laboratories: relaunching a successful scheme

                The conference of the series “Italy’s current affairs” entitled “Industrial districts, the Italian brand and laboratories: relaunching a successful scheme” was held in Milan on January 30th. During the meeting it was once again underlined how industrial districts – strategic component of the Italian economy – are undergoing a delicate evolution which requires careful monitoring.

              • Venice
                • 15 April 2005
                 
                 

                Union and disunion: Europe in 2015

                  The 14th edition of the Institute’s Aspen European Dialogue focussed on possible scenarios for Europe in the coming decade: the choice between “superpower” and “super-space”, demographic problems and immigration issues, the “budget wars”, and the consequences of a French “no” to the European Constitution. Participants also considered the implications of the Stability Pact reform.

                • Rome
                  • 1 December 2005
                   
                   

                  Dinner in honor of the U.S. Ambassador to Italy, Ronald P. Spogli

                    The meeting with the US Ambassador to Italy Ronald P. Spogli was an important occasion for Aspen Institute Italia and its members. During the evening the Ambassador illustrated the objectives of his mission to Italy, underlining the excellent relations between Italy and the United States achieved through mutual political and military support in the fight against terrorism. Participants agreed on the need for greater economic exchanges which would favor trade relations that, albeit good, can still be improved.

                  • Milan
                    • 28 November 2005
                     
                     

                    Giving business a soul: values, rules and culture

                      Ten years after the first conference, the annual event of the Friends of Aspen has once again drawn the attention to the business world: to the people and values involved, to project creativity and to the ability to work in a global context. Identifying the soul of business, in particular those principles which strengthen the link between enterprises, citizens and society, allows one to focus on the rules and values essential to the country’s development. Particular attention was dedicated to the value of the people who work for a business, from managerial to lower levels.

                    • Rome
                      • 22 November 2005
                       
                       

                      Developing the Italian banking system to favor competitiveness

                        The Roundtable dealt with a series of strategic issues concerning the Italian bank system, including the high cost of Italian bank serivces compared to other European countries; the limited size of the banks which doesn’t favor the internationalization of business; the difficulty in financing innovation and the common problem -especially in Southern Italy – of credit rationing. Banks stated that the cost of individual bank accounts in Italy are lower than France, Spain and Germany because of special agreements, payment on uninvested capital and joint holders.

                      • Turin
                        • 20 November 2005
                         
                         

                        Shaping our future: new generations new leaders new ideas

                          The conference was an occasion for the Aspen Junior Fellows to confront themselves with senior leaders on strategic issues concerning globalization. The debate focused primarily on Europe; participants don’t see the recent setbacks as a reason to give up on the Old Continent and it is therefore necessary to the fight demographic decline and relaunch the economy.

                        • Rome
                          • 11 November 2005
                           
                           

                          Working lunch with the European Commissioner Peter Mandelson

                            The working lunch with the European Commissioner Peter Mandelson has brought the attention to the delicate and complex issue of trade policy prior to the Doha Round scheduled in December in Hong Kong. Participants generally agreed that greater caution is required in further trade liberalization: Italy needs more time to prepare for trade challenges that arrive mainly from China, India – in the IT sector – and from the "green giant" Brazil.

                          • Rome
                            • 10 November 2005
                             
                             

                            Banks, enterprises and the protection of private investors

                              The conference examined the new regulations and their adequacy in protecting private investors and determining appropriate market dynamics. Particular attention was paid to the new law its accuracy in defining property, management and control. The second session focused on the new model for controlling authorities and the role of the independent authorities and management. Participants also discussed potential conflicts between the different functions of the Bank of Italy; namely monetary, controlling and competition authorities.

                            • Rome
                              • 27 October 2005
                               
                               

                              Financing Italy’s health system: new models?

                                According to the World Health Organization, Italy’s health system ranks as one of the best in the world. Yet it has also highlighted the problem, which Italy shares with other European countries, of funding a health system that is capable of responding to changes in the health demand of citizens. The participants called for there to be a move away from a profit and loss account mentality to an analysis of health needs by developing models for gauging demand.

                              • Taormina
                                • 14 October 2005
                                 
                                 

                                Information, Democracy and Communications Systems

                                  The seminar on “Information, Democracy and Communications Systems”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, explored the delicate state of relationships in modern society that link economic policy and communications media. For there to be a correct balance between these crucial elements of a modern democracy, there needs to be a reliable and free media, without moves towards media concentration or excessively close ties with those wielding power. A key issue discussed was also the “new media” revolution which has spelt the end of passive users.

                                • Taormina
                                  • 14 October 2005
                                   
                                   

                                  Italy’s South on the global market: opportunities and challenges

                                    The seminar on “Italy’s Mezzogiorno in the global market: opportunities and challenges”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, examined the fact that in Italy’s Mezzogiorno (or Southern regions) includes regions that are among the country’s most suited to a form of development which is not solely linked to their obvious value in terms of tourism but is also ideal for attracting international investment and qualified personnel, as well as being conducive to these regions hosting the headquarters of companies with a high level of technological innovation an

                                  • Taormina
                                    • 14 October 2005
                                     
                                     

                                    Infrastructure and networks. Transport and energy for Italy’s development

                                      The seminar on “Infrastructure and networks. Transport and energy for Italy’s development”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, emphasized the fact that infrastructure and networks in the fields of transport and energy represent a crucial factor for Italy’s development. In order to restore the efficiency and competitiveness of Italy’s economy, an effective “industrial policy” is needed for these sectors, which today are characterized by significant disparities and lags when compared with those of Italy’s major international competitors.

                                    • Taormina
                                      • 14 October 2005
                                       
                                       

                                      Post-modern society: values, labor, consumption

                                        The seminar on “Post-modern society: values, labor, consumption”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, focused on the fact that society is in a phase of transition, moving from a modern industrial age to a fragmented and heterogeneous postmodern society. The seminar was aimed at coming to terms with the changes taking place in the modes of production and those prompted by the use of technology, as well as with the social impact brought about by the information revolution.

                                      • Milan
                                        • 26 September 2005
                                         
                                         

                                        Developing IT: new possibilities for business, organizations and users

                                          The roundtable discussion provided an opportunity to explore the new possibilities for further applications and the potential economic, social and organizational impact of information technology. The digitalization of information, banking, government, transport and tourist services is proceeding at a faster pace than anticipated.