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Aspen Seminars for Leaders

  • Cernobbio
    • 5 November 2010
     
     

    Italy and future challenges. Heading towards 2020

      This session of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders examined various institutional scenarios, viewed from the perspective of changes taking place at the European and global level and the reform processes that these call for within Italy. It was observed that, on the one hand, the search for more stable global macroeconomic balances has been accompanied by European debate concerning the tightening of fiscal regulation, changes to the Growth and Stability Pact, and putting in place adequate mechanisms to deal with emergency situations.

    • Cernobbio
      • 5 November 2010
       
       

      Investing in knowledge: more innovation, better infrastructure, new school system

        In this seminar, the participants examined what were identified as the major areas requiring action to enable Italy to face the new and increasingly impelling global challenges. The three areas singled out were: innovation policies, tangible and intangible knowledge-system infrastructure, and education models conducive to promoting employment and competitiveness.

      • Cernobbio
        • 5 November 2010
         
         

        Culture, leadership, social responsibility

          The discussion in this session focused on the role of culture in the wake of the global crisis. In this regard, the participants highlighted the increasing search for a more harmonious, sustainable and forward-looking social model, yet one that is anchored in the roots of national identity. With the global crisis, this quest for a new kind of paradigm of development has, even in Italy, once again focused what perhaps was otherwise languishing interest on the crucial importance of “culture”.

        • Naples
          • 14 May 2010
           
           

          Pulling through the financial crisis and supporting the real economy

            The last minute lifeline thrown to Greece to keep it from possible default opened a series of urgent questions on the future of the single currency, Europe as a political entity and, more in general, the relationship between finance and the real economy. The crisis concerned not only the precarious economic and social situation of Greece – which will inevitably have to pass through a period of deep-seated and predictably painful restructuring. It also shed light on the series of actions that should be taken to prevent possible contagion with other European countries.

          • Naples
            • 14 May 2010
             
             

            The telecoms and media industries: what’s next?

              The internet revolution has brought great changes to the communications industry, both in terms of infrastructures and contents. For infrastructures, the scenario shows a different level of investment, a change in keeping with regulation and new business models. Today’s prospects are for a Pan-European map that should provide guidelines for the sector’s new organization. 

            • Naples
              • 14 May 2010
               
               

              New paradigms of development: values, work, sustainable growth

                After the crisis, a new paradigm of development is emerging: more solid, anchored to shared values and projected to the construction of a future beyond the ordinary handling of the emergency. Over recent months, there has been discussion on the wave of moderate optimism brought on by commentators and economists, with figures in hand, to pronounce the imminent end of the economic and financial storm that occurred after 2008.

              • Naples
                • 14 May 2010
                 
                 

                Investing in knowledge for progress and productivity

                  The debate centered around two main points: investment in knowledge and human capital, and research and innovation. These two issues are determining factors of growth and competitiveness and together they represent the basic needs to survive, revive the economy and meet the challenges of the future.

                • Naples
                  • 14 May 2010
                   
                   

                  The economics of Energy. From traditional to renewable growth drivers

                    The global economic crisis is reshaping the energy system in a fundamental way, as extraordinary events have occurred in a very short time span. Six issues appear the most crucial in the current context: i) the discovery of shale gas, a transformational event which was also a consequence of high natural gas prices. According to a recent account, this discovery could potentially turn the US into a permanent net exporter, with dramatic implications on the market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) which now seeks markets when global demand is contracting.

                  • Cernobbio
                    • 5 November 2010
                     
                     

                    The future of currencies: the post-crisis monetary and financial system. Implications for business

                      The complexities of the current global macroeconomic situation are pushing the world economy in many different directions. The US is undertaking a second round of quantitative easing in order to buy protection against a deflationary risk. China is slowly allowing the RMB to appreciate while preparing the next 5 year plan as it transitions from an economy with unlimited resources and limited interactions with the rest to the world into an economy that is starting to feel a deteriorating growth/inflation trade off and is becoming a key player in international trade and markets.

                    • Cernobbio
                      • 5 November 2010
                       
                       

                      The industrial system, territory and social cohesion

                        This seminar got underway with the participants noting that the Italian industrial system has succeeded in weathering the global crisis whilst maintaining the country’s position as a leading manufacturer both in Europe and worldwide. The more or less stable performance of the Italian production system has enabled the economy to respond to stimulus, though the signs of recovery remain weak.

                      • Cernobbio
                        • 5 November 2010
                         
                         

                        Tangible infrastructure: driving competitiveness

                          This session focused on the crucial role played by infrastructure in any given country’s economic development. It was observed that an adequate endowment of tangible infrastructure is a necessary prerequisite for competing in the global market, and that boosting infrastructure levels is an undeniable priority both for Italy and for Europe. The question of trans-European infrastructure is especially gaining increasing importance.

                        • Venice
                          • 22 May 2009
                           
                           

                          Joint meeting. After the crisis: safeguarding future generations

                            The participants at this ASL seminar observed that history has always been marked by periods of change – the current one being no exception. The failure of the economic paradigms that underpinned Western development for decades has triggered a widespread sense of fear, which has translated into mistrust and instinctive and irrational behaviors.

                          • Venice
                            • 22 May 2009
                             
                             

                            Energy savings, renewable resources, nuclear power: the best choices for Italy

                              The approval of a renewable energy and climate change legislative package by the European Union in December 2008 is part of a wider push to formulate a global policy to combat climate change. Indeed, the Copenhagen Conference to be held in December this year will play a key role in deciding what should follow the Kyoto Protocol once it expires in 2012.

                            • Lecce
                              • 23 October 2009
                               
                               

                              Talk-debate: Italy and its south

                                The participants in this talk-debate noted that by acknowledging the existence of various “Souths” in Italy rather than continuing to speak of “the South”, efforts have been made in recent years to mitigate the persistence of the serious and unresolved question of the South. The underlying hope has been that, by differentiating between the various areas of Italy’s Mezzogiorno, widespread change and gradual renewal might be encouraged to take root.

                              • Lecce
                                • 23 October 2009
                                 
                                 

                                Markets and energy/environmental policy: choices for growth and competition in Italian industry

                                  The seminar discussions got underway with the observation that international energy markets are the litmus test of a crisis whose outcomes are still uncertain. The dramatic slump in global demand has triggered a sharp fall in prices, but speculative interests and unfounded concerns that the peak oil point is approaching continue to artificially sustain share prices at levels that lack any sound market justification.

                                • Lecce
                                  • 23 October 2009
                                   
                                   

                                  Health sciences in Italy: living better and longer

                                    The Seminar discussions highlighted the divide that exists in Italy today between the core research sector and the business world. It was noted that there is a lack of osmosis capable, on the one hand, of making the most of potential and, on the other, of integrating it into a productive strategy to support the country’s economy. There is a need for the State to coordinate research centers, health authorities, industry and the regulatory sphere, in accordance with policy choices formulated on the basis of the health needs of the country.

                                  • Lecce
                                    • 23 October 2009
                                     
                                     

                                    New paradigms of progress and capitalism

                                      This seminar examined developments in the concept of progress and in models of capitalism in light of the profound economic and social changes wrought by the financial and economic crisis.

                                    • Lecce
                                      • 23 October 2009
                                       
                                       

                                      Business, productivity, active society: a recipe for growth

                                        The participants in this seminar observed that after the shock of the crisis, the economy is searching for ways and means of coming out of the recession with a new model for growth. The first signs of recovery are raising hopes everywhere that the worst may be over – even in Italy. However, despite indications emerging from the financial market, the impact of the crisis on the real economy and employment are far from being a thing of the past.

                                      • Venice
                                        • 22 May 2009
                                         
                                         

                                        Towards a new financial system: reviving the global economy

                                          At the May 2009 Aspen Seminars for Leaders, leading representatives from financial institutions and public authorities discussed the financial crisis and the emerging challenges in the structure and dynamics of international financial markets.