Skip to content

National Programs

  • Milan
    • 24 September 2012
     
     

    The banking sector and industry: creating a virtuous cycle to stimulate Italy’s real economy

      Kicking off discussions at this national conference was the observation that the current financial crisis, evidently systemic in nature, is predominantly being shaped at this stage by perceived risk factors linked to vulnerabilities in the real economy and the banking system. Efforts in the political, economic and monetary arenas – both at national and European levels – seem to have eased speculative pressures on the markets and tentatively restored international investor confidence.

    • Milan
      • 23 January 2012
       
       

      Scientific research to bolster Italy’s economic development

        The starting premise for the discussions at this National Interest conference was that the coupling of research and development (R&D) is, at least on paper, an inseparable one. Indeed, in any discipline, research – understood as human endeavor aimed at discovering or investigating objects, phenomena or processes using scientific methods – has a potential impact on society.

      • 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
          • 15 April 2012
           
           

          Italian leaders abroad

            The fourth edition of the “Italian Leaders Abroad” conference was inaugurated with a speech by Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti. The meeting gave rise to a proposal by Aspen Institute Italia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Education to form a joint task force in order to reinforce the international network of scientists, researchers and companies active in the field of research.

          • Rome
            • 30 May 2012
             
             

            The labor market, competitiveness and human capital

              The participants at this National Conference noted that for decades the relationship between labor and capital in Italy seems to have swung periodically between the antitheses of cooperation and conflict – of subscribing to a shared mission and engaging in confrontation as a matter of principle. Ranged on one side has been a notion which views a business as a community of men and women intent on achieving shared objectives, and on the other has been a more class-conscious approach, grounded in the competing interests of all the various actors in the labor market.

            • 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.

              • Cernobbio
                • 11 March 2011
                 
                 

                Italian leaders abroad

                  International openness and the circulation of people and talent during key stages of professional training and development were the central topics of discussion at this Third Conference on “Italian leaders abroad”.

                • Rome
                  • 18 May 2011
                   
                   

                  Italy’s savings: how to make it work for the country’s development and well-being

                    Opening the discussion at this National Roundtable was the observation that Italy’s stock of personal savings continues to highlight its strong position as a country with among the highest per-capita net worth in the world. Nevertheless, it was acknowledged that in order to give a complete picture of the situation, two areas in which Italy diverges from, in particular, other major European countries, need to be considered.

                  • 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.

                    • 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
                        • 8 February 2011
                         
                         

                        Priority interventions in Italy’s south: avoiding a two-speed country

                          Debate at this National Interest Conference got underway with the observation that overcoming the social and economic divide between Northern and Southern Italy requires a profound rethink of intervention policies together with an overall return to efficiency and effectiveness in public action.

                        • 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.

                          • Milan
                            • 11 April 2011
                             
                             

                            The design industry: value added for Italy’s economic growth

                              Added value of over 140 billion euros and employment for around 3.3 million people: this was the snapshot, in figures, presented at this National Interest roundtable session of the engine of Italy’s manufacturing system, driven by the country’s leading sectors – the so-called “4 Fs” of the Made-in-Italy industry: Ferrari cars and non-electronic machinery and equipment, fashion and clothing, food and beverage, and furniture and wood products.

                            • Milan
                              • 25 July 2011
                               
                               

                              New forms of poverty: social, economic and political implications

                                This National Conference got underway with the observation that, in Italy as in Europe, emerging forms of poverty have mainly affected segments of the population that were previously relatively protected but that have now become socially and economically vulnerable. This phenomenon has also been accompanied by the onset of other hardships, stemming from the intensification of migration flows.

                              • Rome
                                • 1 March 2011
                                 
                                 

                                Information services in the security sector: protecting Italy’s national interest

                                  Discussions at this National Roundtable commenced with an acknowledgement by the participants that the global economic arena is no longer characterized by competition played out solely between businesses, but rather sees national economies pitched against each other ever more fiercely.

                                  This trend has led to a gradual widening of the concept of “national security”, with many States now including economic and financial security within the ambit of this term.

                                • 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
                                    • 21 February 2011
                                     
                                     

                                    How the financial system can support growth

                                      This national roundtable discussion got underway with the observation that, traditionally, the banking system has played a key role in economic growth by channeling personal savings into financing the productive activities of businesses.

                                    • Rome
                                      • 26 October 2011
                                       
                                       

                                      Eurobonds: the intricate relations between politics and economics

                                        Discussions at this national roundtable session got underway with the observation that the idea of introducing European public debt securities – or so-called Eurobonds – is not a new one: indeed, it dates back to 1993 when Jacques Delors proposed, albeit in embryonic form, the issuance of European bonds to finance investment in European Community infrastructure.

                                      • Rome
                                        • 27 April 2011
                                         
                                         

                                        Information services in the security sector: protecting Italy’s financial and industrial system

                                          The participants at this National Roundtable opened the discussion by observing that following the reform of the Italian intelligence services, the activities of the relevant agencies are no longer confined to the protection of the political and military interests of the country, but also extend to defending its “economic, scientific and industrial” interests.