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      • Milan
        • 26 February 2007
         
         

        Governance and leadership in complex organizations

          Globalization of markets and cultures, the rise of new world powers, the rapid progress made in the field of ICT and the continuous growth in efficiency levels in all sectors, favour the growth of new complex organizations in all sectors, from business to politics and society. These require clear and efficient regulations which can guarantee their perfect functioning in an ever changing environment. In this context, human resources are once again the number one asset for every organization intending to compete at an international level.

        • Rome
          • 22 February 2007
           
           

          Alternative energy sources

            The discussion analyzed the various ways to encourage the use of alternative sources of energy; an issue which has been widely discussed in the past and now brings us to discover and experiment innovative solutions such as carbon sequestration or new generation photovoltaic cells which may lead us to a change in our usual habits. Energy saving, nuclear power, carbon and renewable energy sources are prime candidates in bringing their contribution to the solution of a crisis determined by the scarcity of oil fields.

          • Washington
            • 4 February 2007
             
             

            Making energy secure: today’s challenges for a sustainable future

              This international workshop focused on the new role energy is playing in global relations, with particular attnetion to the complex relationship between Russia and the European Union as regards energy security. Participants pointed out the need, especially in the West, to diversify supply sources.

            • Milan
              • 29 January 2007
               
               

              Finance and insurance for the global economy

                The Milan roundtable focused on ongoing transformations that link the finance sector with that of insurance companies in the vastly changed global scenario, especially in consideration of newly emerging economies. Particular attention was paid to the tricky issue of export credit insurance, a sector seriously affected by this changed environment. In the current international context, new players are constantly appearing and value systems have to cross national boundaries.

              • Berlin
                • 24 February 2006
                 
                 

                Germany: the key to unlock Europe?

                  Aspen Institute Italia dedicates the fifteenth edition of its Aspen European Dialogue to the topic Germany: the key to unlock Europe? This year’s international conference took place in Berlin, on February 24-25. The Conference started with the analysis of Germany’s new priorities: the Grand Coalition’s first decisions and challenges, social/welfare reforms, fiscal iussue and relations with Europe. The discussion then extended to the EU as a whole and possible strategies to foster economic growth and reinforce the eurozone. The debate also focused on the importance of new budget policies.

                • Rome
                  • 1 December 2006
                   
                   

                  Business and democracy: bringing the Middle East out of crisis

                    Aspen Italia’s annual Transatlantic Dialogue focused this year on persistent widespread instability in the Middle East. Various ideas for pragmatic solutions were proposed, though no strikingly positive developments were foreseen any time soon. The first day of debate focused on interdependency between free trade and democratization in a strategic framework, and in particular on gradually opening markets and reforming governments.

                  • Rome
                    • 30 November 2006
                     
                     

                    The Aspen Women’s workshop

                      The workshop, a novelty for the Institute, was made up entirely of female participants of the utmost authority and prestige. Various issues were discussed: repression of women in Arab countries, social and cultural changes needed to improve conditions and strengthen the economic development of women around the world. Participants highlighted certain obstacles hindering women’s aspirations, such as diverse interpretations of Islamic law, illiteracy and, most of all, poverty.

                    • Milan
                      • 27 November 2006
                       
                       

                      Meritocracy and competitiveness: can they go hand in hand?

                        Discussion opened with an analysis of how tomorrow’s leaders might approach the issue of meritocracy, especially as regards politics, and closed with an analysis of how to apply that meritocracy to the formation of human resources – from school to on-the-job training. The underlying issue is whether the demand for meritocracy is purely utopian in Italy’s economic and social context.

                      • Rome
                        • 16 November 2006
                         
                         

                        Universities: an engine for Italy’s development. Meritocracy and competition

                          Discussion focused on Italy’s system of higher education, in a search for new strategies and proposals to relaunch the nation’s universities’ competitiveness. Participation by the deans of important schools in Italy and abroad as well as Italian researchers with experience in the US rendered the debate particularly fruitful. Issues discussed included the public and private financing of higher learning and how best to make use of the limited funds available.

                        • Rome
                          • 9 November 2006
                           
                           

                          The future of Italy’s television

                            During the roundtable, participants discussed several fundamental aspects of the ongoing transition to a very different sort of television. By 2012, tv will be made up of a sort of “digital pie” in three pieces: paid and free satellite – with hundreds of channels; cable – with sixty or so channels; and IP – with hundreds, or even thousands of channels, including accessible libraries and programs on demand. Markets will change accordingly, as will the primary players and the norms regulating it all. To this end, participants considered the Italian Gentiloni Bill on television reform.

                          • Venice
                            • 13 October 2006
                             
                             

                            Public works and infrastructure for Italy

                              “Public works and infrastructure for Italy”, another of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders, focused on the need to relaunch the debate on public works and infrastructure programming in Italy. The discussion also centered on whether an actual plan or simply a framework of reference is needed, on how to identify the decision-makers and on how decisions can be kept in line with available resources.

                            • Venice
                              • 13 October 2006
                               
                               

                              Special reading from Dante’s Divine Comedy offered by Vittorio Sermonti

                                On Friday, October 13, as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, a special reading from Dante’s Divine Comedy took place. Vittorio Sermonti offered a learned, highly enjoyable introduction and then read aloud Canto XXVI, an event that was greatly appreciated by all.

                              • Venice
                                • 13 October 2006
                                 
                                 

                                The European identity: social models and immigration

                                  “The European identity: social models and immigration”, another of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders, reiterated the concept that “Europe” has always been an evolving reality. Every time there is a change in its institutions or governmental structure, the identity of Europe’s citizens – and their sense of belonging – becomes uncertain. Common interests and spaces coexist with national loyalties and regional and local roots. In this framework, immigration – a wide-scale, enduring phenomenon – heavily influences the EU’s evolution.

                                • Venice
                                  • 13 October 2006
                                   
                                   

                                  Global markets, enterprises, competition: Europe and Italy

                                    “Global markets, enterprises, competition: Europe and Italy”, part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, started with a discussion of globalization and the internationalization of the market, leading to new forms of competition in Europe and the individual member states. The seminar examined some important, unresolved questions. First, there was a discussion of the various types of competition, according to company size, country systems and competitive strategies. Second, the seminar examined the various business “forms” that can meet this kind of challenge in Italy and Europe.

                                  • Venice
                                    • 13 October 2006
                                     
                                     

                                    The national interest: what it is and how to defend it

                                      “The national interest: what it is and how to defend it”, part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, was based on the concern that national and international experts see Italy as a country at risk of decline, or already declining. It was deemed that the passive attitude towards this negative assessment depends partly on a lack of awareness of Italian identity. In order to overcome this, people must realize that identity does not only depend on the State, the Republic and local communities, cities and regions.

                                    • Venice
                                      • 13 October 2006
                                       
                                       

                                      Post-modern society: new social actors and new protagonists

                                        “Post-modern society: new social actors and new protagonists”, part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, focused on the great challenge of contemporary society: how to effectively handle dialogue between the new emerging society and the culture of mainstream modernity, and the descendents of an archaic culture. This edition of the seminar put the spotlight on the main actors of postmodern society and the role they play in its development, partly with the aim of helping the business world operate in brave new contexts.

                                      • Rome
                                        • 29 September 2006
                                         
                                         

                                        Italy and Germany in the future Europe

                                          The conference opened with a reflection on the Italian and the German economies, their differences and similarities. The priority for Germany is to strengthen domestic demand, given their good performance on international markets and a restructured private sector. Italy needs to become more competitive and to guarantee greater discipline in its fiscal policy. The two countries face some of the same challenges, especially as regards reforming their respective pension systems and health sectors.

                                        • Rome
                                          • 21 September 2006
                                           
                                           

                                          Italy’s energy policy: security and efficiency in an open market

                                            This conference focussed on possible options for a better national energy program, able to guarantee both security and efficiency. Discussions touched on how responsibility should be divvied up between institutions, the private sector and public administrations as well as between local, regional and European governments. Participants considered Italy’s high energy costs, its supply difficulties and imbalances as regards access to and provision of energy resources.