The seminar on “Consumption and the consumer: new realities, new scenarios”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, focused on the awareness that consumption is not only economically significant but is also impacting on social dynamics to a greater extent. Consumers, having become disenchanted, autonomous and prone to shopping around, are increasingly making their purchases online.
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.
The seminar on “The demographic revolution: implications for society and business”, held as part of the Aspen Seminars for Leaders program, examined the consequences of the net fall in population growth and the increased life expectancy of Europeans, as well as the consequent impact on the economic system. Growing migration flows need to be managed with a view to integration and stability by formulating the necessary institutional responses to deal with the spread of the phenomenon.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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
