National Programs

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Debate focused on a general renewed interest in “virtue”, defined as a series of absolute and eternal values. Without forgetting more traditional virtues, such as prudence, justice, strength and temperance, as well as others linked to Christianity – faith, hope, charity – participants also examined more contemporary conceptions of virtue: from respect for nature to resource management, to narrow issues such as intellectual property rights and patents on medicines developed in rich countries and unaffordable to the world’s poor.

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.

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.