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economy

  • Rome
    • 5 February 2013
     
     

    The two Americas: prospects for economic recovery

      At this event to launch the latest edition of Aspenia, the focus of debate was the fact that diverging trends in the world’s major economies have been made more patent than ever before by the financial crisis that erupted in 2008, and which, particularly in Europe, has since transformed into a sovereign debt crisis. Chief among these divergences are the almost opposite trajectories of emerging markets compared to those of traditionally advanced economies, the divide between Europe and the United States, and glaring disparities within the European Union.

    • Milan
      • 20 May 2013
       
       

      Italy’s food and agriculture industry: a key sector for global markets

        Discussions at this National Conference hinged on the central observation that the Italian economy can only be revived by capitalizing on the country’s flagship production sectors, with the food and agricultural industry singled out as being of prime importance. Indeed, it was noted that the sector has continued to be a standard-bearer for “Made in Italy” excellence even amid the economic downturn.

      • 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.

        • Berlin
          • 28 September 2012
           
           

          The Eurozone’s path: the Union between reality and aspiration

            The current financial crisis has thrown into sharp relief the close links that exist between monetary policy, the banking sector, sovereign debt, and serious imbalances within the Eurozone. The vehemence and longevity of the crisis have called into question the very political structure of the European Union as well as its institutional architecture, both in need of modification through a more rigorous application of existing rules, but also by means of the assignment of new responsibilities and the creation of new mechanisms.

          • Rome
            • 9 November 2012
             
             

            The future of Europe: creating and distributing new values, beating the crisis

              As Altiero Spinelli once observed: “Europe will not fall from the sky”, but rather needs to be built from the ground up with the involvement of everyone. These words served as the opening premise for discussions at this Aspen Junior Fellows Conference on the new challenges that will shape the cohesion and future of the European Union. On one hand, the Conference set out to address the question of the kind of new models that could guarantee prosperity and employment for all Europeans by mitigating the widening imbalances between generations.

            • Rome
              • 5 July 2012
               
               

              The European paradox

                The “European paradox” lies first and foremost in the great potential of the eurozone and the EU as an integrated economic bloc, which remains undeniable despite the serious difficulties of the past few months, and the concerns with the future solidity of the single currency: we are practically witnessing the crisis (hopefully a temporary crisis) of a giant on the global scene.

              • Rome
                • 17 October 2012
                 
                 

                Innovation and research to beat the crisis

                  Innovation is a complex process that requires creativity and talent, as well as infrastructure, long-term investment and a truly effective merit-based system of incentives: these were the watchwords at this event to launch the latest issue of Aspenia. Indeed, it was observed that for a society to be innovative in the twenty-first century world, it must have the scope and ability to combine scientific research with applied technology, thereby transforming ideas into products or services that are useful from a market perspective.

                • Milan
                  • 4 June 2012
                   
                   

                  Striking a balance between a fair tax system and economic growth in Italy

                    Proceedings at this National Roundtable examining the link between fiscal equity and growth in Italy got underway with the observation that, according to the Italian Constitution, taxation, as well as enabling the delivery of services and benefits essential to the welfare and progress of citizens, should also help overcome social inequalities through the application of redistributive justice criteria. This principle of “fairness” in setting tax levels takes on an even greater significance when, as is currently happening, social and economic disparities widen.

                  • Venice
                    • 26 October 2012
                     
                     

                    The engines of growth for Italy’s future

                      Discussions at this ASL session got underway with the observation that the current economic woes are indicative not of a simple downturn but of a profound crisis, which calls for a radical alteration in lifestyles and development models. It was felt that without such far-reaching changes, levels of growth throughout Europe will continue to be very low in the coming years, in part because it will be impossible to kick-start development and employment without incurring some cost.

                    • Milano
                      • 25 June 2012
                       
                       

                      Globalization: ethics, rules, and economics

                        Proceedings at this national roundtable got underway with the observation that, in recent years, the concept of ethics seems to have taken center-stage in economic debate. Expressions such as ethical finance, ethical trade and business ethics are being used more and more frequently, and all major international companies have a code of ethics.

                      • Milan
                        • 24 September 2012
                         
                         

                        The banking sector and industry: creating a virtuous cycle to stimulate Italy’s real economy

                          Kicking off discussions at this national conference was the observation that the current financial crisis, evidently systemic in nature, is predominantly being shaped at this stage by perceived risk factors linked to vulnerabilities in the real economy and the banking system. Efforts in the political, economic and monetary arenas – both at national and European levels – seem to have eased speculative pressures on the markets and tentatively restored international investor confidence.

                        • Rome
                          • 16 May 2012
                           
                           

                          Nations without wealth, wealth without nations

                            At this talk-debate event held in Rome, it was noted that although twenty years have passed since the publication of the book “Nazioni senza ricchezza, ricchezze senza Nazione” written by Giulio Tremonti, Sabino Cassese, Tiziano Treu and Francesco Galgano, the work remains extraordinarily relevant today, as by the time of its release a rift had already emerged between nations and reality, with the latter – and the problems and opportunities it presented – eluding the material constraints under which the former were forced to operate.

                          • Milan
                            • 5 June 2012
                             
                             

                            Making hard choices: economic and political challenges for Europe

                              This encounter with Professor Guido Tabellini, Rector and Full Professor of Economics at the Luigi Bocconi University, gave the Aspen Junior Fellows an in-depth look at today’s issues. Twenty years after Maastricht, Europe’s economic and financial scenario has changed radically. The outlines of European unity were born of an optimistic forecast of the ability to govern a monetary – albeit not yet political or fiscal – union in the context of growing financial integration.

                            • Milan
                              • 28 November 2011
                               
                               

                              The “green economy”: new opportunities for Italy

                                The key objective to emerge from the discussions at this National Conference was that of transforming a constraint into an opportunity. The green economy must be made the cornerstone of a new, more sustainable and enduring development model. It was observed that, in recent years, particularly in the wake of the protracted effects of the worst economic and financial crisis in recent history, the world has begun to stop treating the “environmental factor” as a possible limitation on freedom of enterprise, but rather to see it from a more comprehensive perspective.

                              • Venice
                                • 27 October 2011
                                 
                                 

                                China-Europe-U.S. Trialogue Second meeting

                                  The second meeting of the Trialogue series focused on the issues of global economic governance (with special attention to the role of the G20), trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific links in the security field, and instability in the Middle East region with its possible implications.

                                • 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.