The conference stemmed from an analysis of how the Made in Italy label is perceived in major countries. The debate highlighted that, although businesses operating in the so-called three “F” sectors of the Italian economy (namely, food, fashion and furniture) are sought after, outside Italy there is recognition of the existence of other areas of excellence which deserve to be rewarded.
The Milan roundtable focused on ongoing transformations that link the finance sector with that of insurance companies in the vastly changed global scenario, especially in consideration of newly emerging economies. Particular attention was paid to the tricky issue of export credit insurance, a sector seriously affected by this changed environment. In the current international context, new players are constantly appearing and value systems have to cross national boundaries.
The roundtable represented a unique opportunity to reflect upon relations between the West and Islam. Since September 11, 2001, it has been clear that this relationship represents one of the world’s key problems. Nor can the relationship be dealt with in the manner of “normal” international relations: they involve broad, complicated meanings and many different dimensions. In other words, even if the word “clash” is too strong, there is undoubtedly an ongoing comparison, discussion and study between the two cultural approaches.
Globalization of markets and cultures, the rise of new world powers, the rapid progress made in the field of ICT and the continuous growth in efficiency levels in all sectors, favour the growth of new complex organizations in all sectors, from business to politics and society. These require clear and efficient regulations which can guarantee their perfect functioning in an ever changing environment. In this context, human resources are once again the number one asset for every organization intending to compete at an international level.
With current statistics on immigration to Italy to hand, participants at this meeting sought to identify strategies and formulate proposals to regulate migratory flows here and throughout Europe. Local administrators, politicians from both ends of the spectrum, religious figures, academics, businesspeople and unionists all offered their own experiences and points of view. In particular, participants touched on difficulties in assimilating diverse cultures in the integration process – difficulties suffered both in the hosting countries and in the immigrant communities.
The discussion analyzed the various ways to encourage the use of alternative sources of energy; an issue which has been widely discussed in the past and now brings us to discover and experiment innovative solutions such as carbon sequestration or new generation photovoltaic cells which may lead us to a change in our usual habits. Energy saving, nuclear power, carbon and renewable energy sources are prime candidates in bringing their contribution to the solution of a crisis determined by the scarcity of oil fields.
Next Generation Networks (NGN) are true information highways, along which great amounts of information can flow. Their technological neutrality allows them to offer services that are independent of current networks. This novelty presents an opportunity to increase Italy’s competitiveness: to take advantage of it, the country must make swift and substantial investments – both private and public – as well as important political and legal decisions. In particular, Italy will have to resolve some sticky problems, building new infrastructure and splitting up networks.
The conference “Politics and anti-politics” highlighted many of the historic problems in the Italians’ relationship with politics. Italians have not always been so detached from the institutions and their representatives. The unpopularity of politics today can be explained first by the fact that it is perceived as a way of occupying public space and not as a service to the citizen. Secondly, Italians generally view their politicians as immoral, extremely expensive and inefficient.
The roundtable “Integrated pension plans: present picture and prospects for the future” highlighted the relationship between demographics, aging and pension systems. It took a close look at the lack of financial sustainability of the latter without any tax intervention on salaries and on the general population. Participants analyzed the solutions adopted by most of the OECD countries and there was a discussion of some of the best practices worldwide.
This roundtable was born of a bitter truth: in this era of communication, talking and listening – which should be the pillars of our interpersonal relations – are considered less important than looking. Dialogue is no longer a balanced and respectful form of interaction, as it should be between two speaking individuals. Everyday relations in the workplace are an example: those higher up in the hierarchy often forget that they are surrounded by valid elements, by thinking human beings who are worth listening to. Participants agreed that today images often replace words.
From the meeting it appears that a convergence of the different platforms opens new scenarios for content producers as well as for broadcasters and new entrants in the market. In order to maximise the potentials of this sector, participants focused their attention on a few priorities. First of all, technological neutrality which is a must for the future.
Public infrastructure is key to relaunching Italy’s competitiveness; they also demand involvement on various levels: state, regional and local. European directives shake up the Italian regime as well, forcing adaptation to the Merloni law and a re-evaluation of the role of the General Contractor. Participants at this discussion focussed on identifying the enormous financial resources necessary for large public works. To this end, they stressed not only the role of the European Investment Bank and the Italian state, but new and innovative tools of project financing.
The National Interest, topic to which Aspen has always paid great attention, needs to be redefined and set in a European context. The recent EU laws have in fact removed market barriers, yet there is still a significant difference within national economic systems and their laws. The problem lies within the political and economic establishments which are not capable of dealing with important challenges, this also due to a lack of generation turnover which is particularly bad in Italy.
The Roundtable on “Italy and the implementation of the Lisbon agenda” was an occasion for Aspen members to discuss Italy’s contribution to the implementation of the Lisbon 2000 agreements between EU countries. Participants discussed the validity and integration of the National Reform Plan that Italy is going to present at the next European Council meeting to be held in Spring. Particular interest was given to the liberalization of the service sector (in accordance to EU policies), to making price determination criteria and demand liberalization.
This meeting offered the occasion to discuss in depth the current situation and evaluate actions to be taken by both institutional and economic actors in order to meet new social challenges. here have been radical demographic, economic and social changes over the past few decades, and an urgent need has risen for European governments to reform their welfare systems. These must be adapted to new realities, without destroying a healthy sense of solidarity. The Italian situation is particularly delicate in this phase of transformation towards new pension plans.
Brandnames live in a complicated, multidimensional world, in a dynamic system that demands well-defined, unique, memorable, seductive personalities. A brand suggests to the consumer a series of symbols and values that make up that consumer’s attitude and desires in a vast social environment. Participants went so far as to speak of a “brand alchemy”. Businesses must take into account new social and cultural trends to maintain their customers, and phenomenons such as budget crises, recession, anti-global movements, and so on, demonstrate the vulnerability of brandnames.
This conference dealt with strategic themes of great current interest, highlighting the economic feedback made possible by investment in the biotechnology sector. Participants focussed on how both the private and public sector can improve research opportunities and on the need to identify areas of excellence in which to best capitalize on Italian capacity, so as to attract national and foreign capital. Several proposals were made to favor the link between public research, private research, industry and the market: it was agreed that the “brain drain” must be reversed.
During the roundtable, participants discussed several fundamental aspects of the ongoing transition to a very different sort of television. By 2012, tv will be made up of a sort of “digital pie” in three pieces: paid and free satellite – with hundreds of channels; cable – with sixty or so channels; and IP – with hundreds, or even thousands of channels, including accessible libraries and programs on demand. Markets will change accordingly, as will the primary players and the norms regulating it all. To this end, participants considered the Italian Gentiloni Bill on television reform.
The Roundtable highlighted the important role played by the Italian banking system due to the nature of the economic system which is characterized by a large number of small and medium enterprises in the industrial and services sector. In Italy there are currently 37 local banks and 439 banks of cooperative credit for a total of 14,8% of the Italian banking system.
The roundtable “Fighting poverty” was hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio and offered participants the opportunity to consider how Italy – a G8 member state – might better fight widespread poverty. Greater commitment is needed if the planet’s poorest regions are to recover, especially in Africa. Most of the aid promised by donors is in fact aimed at Africa, yet the continent remains desperate. Promises must be kept and new strategies must be developed if our objective of halving poverty by 2015 is to be realized.
