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International Programs

  • Rome
  • 25 July 2017
     
     

    Trump and the politics of uncertainty

      Looking at the Trump presidency, the international media – and actually, the American media, too – have lost sight of some background data that have to do with America in general, and far less with the White House. This point emerged from a discussion with Walter Russell Mead, known above all for his studies on the various schools of American foreign policy (from this standpoint, Trump is a “Jacksonian President”) but also thoroughly versed in the United States’ political culture and electoral cycles.

    • Milan
    • 2 February 2017
       
       

      Industry 4.0: comparing best practices in the EU

        Kicking off proceedings at this International Conference was the observation that the fourth industrial revolution is already underway, taking advantage of technologies that transcend the boundaries between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. Robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and 3D and 4D printers were held up as just some of the new technologies making a forcible impact on the economy in general and manufacturing in particular.

      • Rome
      • 29 November 2017
         
         

        The grand energy transition: Eastern Mediterranean, North Africa and Europe

          The Eastern Mediterranean region is undergoing a profound transformation as regards the energy sector, in the context of a changing energy landscape in terms of demand, supply and available technologies. The MENA region as a whole is fast becoming a major energy importer, just as the US has already become a major exporter – and possibly a “swing producer” directly affecting world energy prices.  Inevitably, various geopolitical considerations come into play along the path to a new equilibrium.

        • Rome
        • 20 January 2016
           
           

          Business, Education, Research

            Discussions at this talk-debate session, held to mark of the launch of the e-book L’Italia e il Rinascimento manifatturiero (“Italy and the Manufacturing Renaissance”), sought to analyze what new synergies between research, education, and business are necessary in order to fully seize the opportunities offered by the said renaissance.

          • Florence
          • 1 July 2016
             
             

            Climate Strategies post-COP21 and Sustainable Economies in Europe

              The Paris Agreement has received mixed assessments, but it is widely recognized that it is indeed a step in the right direction. The framework allows for improvements and adjustments with respect to the key goal: Paris aims for peaking of global Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions as soon as possible and undertaking rapid reductions thereafter.

              However, the 2°C target is unlikely to be achieved without the adoption of new policies and technologies.

            • Rome
            • 1 December 2016
               
               

              Post-election America: political and economic challenges

                The starting point of discussions at this international workshop was an examination of the extent to which the result of the US election in November 2016 has engendered widespread concerns for the entire framework of transatlantic relations. The fears that have arisen relate to the future of agreed rules and dialogue vehicles, as well as the core values that underpin liberal democracy, in light of the strong nationalist bent (especially on economic matters) as well as the slant on alliances demonstrated by Donald Trump during the election campaign.

              • Rome
              • 3 February 2016
                 
                 

                Italy and the UK: addressing global challenges in a reformed EU

                  The key premise of proceedings at this talk-debate was that achieving a stronger and profoundly reformed European Union is an ambitious but not unattainable goal, and that Italy and the United Kingdom could play a leading role in this regard. Indeed, the negotiations currently underway with the United Kingdom were seen as affording a great opportunity for reforming and strengthening the EU.

                • Rome
                • 4 May 2016
                   
                   

                  International Forum on Food Security Coordination

                    The UN Rome-Based Agencies—the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)—develop and implement critical food security and humanitarian interventions at the global level. Each agency’s impact is magnified through effective collaboration and partnerships with corporations, NGOs, and national governments, play a growing role in scaling pilot projects and marshaling funds for urgently needed food system development.

                  • Rome
                  • 20 September 2016
                     
                     

                    Geopolitics and the economics of space

                      The starting premise of discussions at this talk-debate session was that developments in the space sector are reshaping geopolitical ties and generating new economic opportunities – two closely interwoven aspects.

                    • Rome
                    • 7 July 2016
                       
                       

                      Europe after Brexit: a new start or a dead end?

                        The participants at this international workshop noted that the political situation in the UK has been confused and in many respects unpredictable in the immediate wake of the recent EU membership referendum. This is especially because the outcome of the vote caught many of the key players unawares in both the “leave” and “remain” camps.

                      • Roma
                      • 22 November 2016
                         
                         

                        German security policy and the future of the Bundeswehr

                          One of the main objectives of the German White Paper is to build consensus on security and defense policies. This objective is an especially difficult one in this period of tight budgets, and with public opinion in nearly every European country concerned on a variety of fronts and often inclined to criticize governments regardless of the merits of their specific choices.

                        • Florence
                        • 18 November 2016
                           
                           

                          Creative disruption: technological innovation, new inequalities and human security

                            No aspect of life, business or politics is immune to the major technological changes of our time. The speed and scale of transformation is such that breakthrough innovations are affecting everything, from the nature of work to what it means to be human. Zigzagging career paths are now the norm, traditional industries are revolutionized almost overnight, and the political debate is more intense and more polarized than at any other moment in recent history.

                          • Rome
                          • 1 December 2016
                             
                             

                            In search of security for European citizens: the rationale for a redesigned EU

                              Though each European country has its own political cycles, as well as its own specific economic characteristics, there are objectively a number of common political trends, worrying because of their impact on policy decisions.  The main danger is of a vicious cycle of political and economic instability, against the backdrop of widespread mistrust of both national and international institutions.  Of course, Donald Trump’s election confirms the great dissatisfaction felt by voters in all the advanced economies, whose overall effects are still difficult to assess.  The familiar u

                            • Palermo
                            • 18 March 2016
                               
                               

                              Hubs and networks in the Mediterranean basin: A path to sustainable growth

                                The large trade and financial flows across the Mediterranean region and the Middle East are major opportunities for economic recovery. They are based mainly on the new energy networks (from both conventional and renewable sources) and the expansion of the Suez Canal, in addition to the persistent role of Gulf investors (particularly through sovereign wealth funds). There are certainly significant obstacles to growth, starting with volatile commodity prices linked to greater investor caution than in the recent past.

                              • Brussels
                              • 30 November 2015
                                 
                                 

                                Energy Security as a Priority for Europe’s Foreign Policy

                                  This International Workshop was organized jointly with the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), in cooperation with the European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS) and with the support of the European External Action Service (EEAS). The discussions were structured so as to contribute to the development in progress of a “Global Strategy” for the European Union, which will be officially presented by the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, in June 2016.

                                • Milan
                                • 19 March 2015
                                   
                                   

                                  Women in business. Innovation and technology: the Israeli experience

                                    This talk-debate session, sponsored by the Valore D association, Aspen Institute Italia and Women for Expo, explored the approaches and trends that characterize female entrepreneurship, the distinguishing features of this segment of the business community, as well as existing weaknesses that could undermine its development and growth. The event was organized as part of Aspen Italia’s Women in Business project, which aims to create a transnational network of debate and reflection in support of female leadership.