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National Roundtable

  • Milan
    • 18 March 2013
     
     

    A multidisciplinary culture to build a new future: knowledge, capacity to change, responsibility

      Discussions at this roundtable got underway with the observation that five years of crisis – triggered by the collapse of the financial sector and constantly compounded by (public and private) financial difficulties – have forced a rethink of the role of industry, which is now called on once again to become an engine of growth. Indeed, the need for a different economic vision, one which combines the kind of tangible and intangible values needed to kick-start new sustainable growth – has seen the production system return to center stage.

    • Milan
      • 17 June 2013
       
       

      E‐commerce, security, distribution channels: opportunities and challenges for businesses and consumers

        At this national roundtable discussion, it was observed that the global phenomenon known as e-commerce is bringing about a paradigm shift in distribution models for products and services. In a scenario of constantly increasing online sales, growth in this sector seems unlikely to slow down, thanks also to the spread of new technologies – such as smartphones and tablets – that are making the consumer experience even more effortless. Globally, the number of cell phones far exceeds not only that of televisions, but also mundane everyday items such as toothbrushes.

      • Milan
        • 16 July 2012
         
         

        Beyond growth: in search of a new and sustainable development

          At this national roundtable dedicated to the quest for a sustainable development model, it was noted by way of preface that overcoming the crisis and returning to past growth is the outlook – or imperative, hope or delusion, depending on your point of view – which has dominated public debate, analyses, scenarios and action plans in Western countries in recent years.

        • Milan
          • 8 October 2012
           
           

          Implementing a digital agenda to spur Italy’s economic growth

            This national roundtable examining the ramifications of implementing Italy’s digital agenda got underway with the participants citing a few statistics on point. Firstly, it was noted that the internet economy contributes 2% to Italy’s GDP – the same as agriculture, but with a potential of at least double that, thus bringing levels seen in England or Sweden within reach for the country.

          • Milan
            • 3 December 2012
             
             

            Biotechnologies and life sciences in Italy: new measures to stimulate competitiveness

              The participants in this National Roundtable observed, by way of opening premise, that biotechnology is a scientific field offering great prospects and within which Italy could play an important role. Indeed, the country boasts a high level of training and outstanding expertise in the sector. The projected rewards, including of a financial nature, are quite considerable, with attractive prospects from an industrial point of view.

            • 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.

              • Rome
                • 3 October 2012
                 
                 

                Reducing Italy’s public debt: is selling public assets a solution?

                  Kick-starting discussions at this national roundtable event was the observation that few subjects have lent themselves as well in Italian public debate to the vivid use of metaphors as has the scale of the country’s public debt, often described as a mountain to be climbed, a dead weight, or as tantamount to a mortgage on Italy’s future. The actual figure is indeed staggering, amounting to nearly 2 trillion euros, and exceeding 123% of GDP.

                • Rome
                  • 13 June 2012
                   
                   

                  The power of the net: new challenges for leaders

                    Opening up discussions at this national roundtable on the power of the web was the observation that the internet has changed the face of politics, especially in terms of the processes of building consensus and managing leadership. There were already clear signs of this in Barack Obama’s winning election campaign of 2008, with two million supporters marshaled via the net, 8 and a half million unique visitors to the main campaign website, 13 million newsletter subscribers and 30 million dollars raised in online donations.

                  • Rome
                    • 21 November 2012
                     
                     

                    Tourism, infrastructure, and territorial challenges: new strategies to spur Italy’s economy

                      Discussion at this national roundtable got underway with the observation that tourism is another largely underutilized resource that features prominently in the (somewhat copious) catalog of Italy’s untapped potential. For decades, the sector has constantly been held up as representing the epitome of the country’s missed opportunities, along with culture and natural heritage, with which it is clearly interlinked.

                    • Milano
                      • 7 May 2012
                       
                       

                      Reforming welfare in Italy: public and private sectors for a new social pact

                        At this roundtable session dedicated to the subject of Italian welfare reform, it was noted that European welfare models have come under pressure from major demographic, economic and social changes, including progressively aging populations, rising expectations for healthcare, increased risks of non-self-sufficiency, sporadic employment and income, and concerns over public debt, which have conspired to make healthcare and welfare systems devised in the past gradually more unsustainable.

                      • Rome
                        • 14 March 2012
                         
                         

                        The future of Italian television

                          This national roundtable got underway with the observation that the digital revolution which began in the late 1990s has radically changed the world of television. Today, audiovisual content can be found on the internet, smartphones and tablet computers: transmission capacity has been boosted, general-interest TV is losing audience shares and the level of user customization is on the rise. Industry models are also changing – and fast. In the near future, the models for making television, delivering it to audiences, and making it attractive to advertisers will be very different.

                        • 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.

                          • Rome
                            • 11 July 2012
                             
                             

                            Promoting Italy’s image: focusing on strong points to improve competitiveness

                              The starting point for discussions at this national roundtable session was the observation that, in this time of crisis, revamping Italy’s image is not just a strategic priority, but also a pressing necessity. The problem was seen as originating, paradoxically, from within the country itself, with Italians engaging in some sort of exercise in self-flagellation by talking down their homeland whenever abroad.

                            • Roma
                              • 8 November 2012
                               
                               

                              Immigration and integration: challenges for the Italian society

                                Discussion at this national roundtable focusing on immigration opened with the participants citing figures showing that foreigners account for 7.5% of Italy’s population (up from 1% in 1991) and contribute over 12% of national GDP. Many migrants have chosen to settle in Italy permanently, have bought a house (20%), and have children attending Italian schools.

                              • Rome
                                • 6 July 2011
                                 
                                 

                                The role of international businesses in Italy’s economic growth

                                  This roundtable saw those in attendance debate the role that foreign-owned firms play in the Italian economy, particularly with a view to identifying approaches and measures that could enable foreign direct investment inflows to be improved.

                                • Rome
                                  • 7 June 2011
                                   
                                   

                                  Reforming corporate governance: proposals and tools

                                    The participants at this National Roundtable noted that, in recent years, the corporate governance of Italian firms has changed in a rapid and decisive – though in some ways haphazard –  manner. This process, which started in the 1990s, particularly in the wake of the wave of privatizations, was intended to make the financial market more attractive to foreign and Italian investors by providing greater guarantees for the protection of minority shareholders.

                                  • Rome
                                    • 14 September 2011
                                     
                                     

                                    Sharing our future: forging an alliance between state and market for a new social contract

                                      At this roundtable session dedicated to the future of Italy’s pension system, it was observed that population aging, the impending retirement of the baby boomer generation, the prolonged period of economic stagnation currently being experienced and dwindling public resources are driving Italy, as well as most other developed nations, to tackle questions regarding the relationship between the role of public and private social security schemes. Today, pensions, healthcare and welfare, in their various forms, are no longer being delivered solely by the state.

                                    • Milan
                                      • 17 January 2011
                                       
                                       

                                      The meaning of growth: paradigms, old and new

                                        Once upon a time, there was GDP. Or rather, once there was “just” GDP, understood as an aggregate indicator used to measure a country’s economic growth by quantifying the flow of goods and services for end-use and produced within a certain period of time in a given territory.