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National Programs

  • Milan
  • 20 May 2013
     
     

    Italy’s food and agriculture industry: a key sector for global markets

      Discussions at this National Conference hinged on the central observation that the Italian economy can only be revived by capitalizing on the country’s flagship production sectors, with the food and agricultural industry singled out as being of prime importance. Indeed, it was noted that the sector has continued to be a standard-bearer for “Made in Italy” excellence even amid the economic downturn.

    • Rome
    • 17 April 2013
       
       

      Electoral reform for Italy

        In this national roundtable session devoted to examining the nature of electoral reform required in Italy, the opening premise to the discussions was that modern debate on this issue primarily hinges on a straightforward question, namely: does the state of the electorate directly mirror the prevailing electoral system, or does the latter have little impact on the outcome of elections and associated divisions within the electorate?

      • Rome
      • 18 September 2013
         
         

        Italy’s welfare system: living with risk

          At this roundtable session dealing with the future of Italy’s welfare system, the participants observed that tackling the issue of risk management requires the resolution of an evident paradox, namely, that while the risks to which households and firms are exposed are becoming greater in number and increasingly serious, the public resources needed to address them are in ever more limited supply.

        • Rome
        • 13 November 2013
           
           

          Modernizing Italy’s public administration for people and business

            It was noted at this national roundtable discussion that, according to the two most well-known systems for measuring the level of economic freedom existing in a country, the extent to which public authorities function well is a fundamental indicator of the same. Similarly, it is widely acknowledged that in countries where the functioning of the public administration meets the expectations of citizens, people can even be amenable to a high level of taxation.

          • Milan
          • 7 October 2013
             
             

            Banks and the real economy: rethinking roles, responsibilities and rules

              Attendees at this National Conference examining the Italian banking sector noted that, according to economic theory, the financial system has a fundamental role to play in intermediating savings, allowing an efficient allocation of capital with consequent gains in productivity and wellbeing for the entire economy. In the recent past, however, this primary function has been compounded by others that have contributed to a distortion of the financial sector’s role and its relationship with the real economy.

            • Rome
            • 28 November 2013
               
               

              The digital agenda and the financial sector

                Proceedings at this National Conference got underway with the observation that the ICT industry characterizes and defines the age we live in. The spread of digital technology has led to a radical sea change in the economic system that is perhaps yet to be fully grasped. The profound and complex changes that this has given rise to in a number of spheres of endeavor are often perceived as a threat in Italy, due to the devastating effects they are having on the status quo, on centers of power, on existing organizational structures, and on employment.

              • Vicenza
              • 29 September 2013
                 
                 

                Family business as an engine for responsible growth

                  The resilience of family businesses, still accounting for over 60% of Italy’s medium-sized and large firms, has been reaffirmed throughout the crisis. However, the protracted recessionary environment and credit crunch, in conjunction with ongoing succession processes, is forcing many of them to fundamentally rethink their business models, financial and ownership structures in order to return to a growth path – or otherwise succumb to the fierce global competition.

                • 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.

                  • 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.

                    • 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.

                      • 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.

                        • 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.

                          • 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.

                            • 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
                              • 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.

                                • 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.