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National Programs

  • 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.

      • 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.

              • Milan
                • 2 May 2011
                 
                 

                The new media, the power of information and business

                  Underpinning the discussions at this Aspen national roundtable session on “The new media, the power of information and business” was the notion that the internet could serve as a driver of growth in Italy on the condition that the internet economy bears part of the massive costs associated with its own development. Recent studies were cited which estimate that the internet economy in Italy today accounts for 2% of the country’s gross domestic product, with expected growth margins by 2015 of between 3.3% and 4.3%.

                • Milan
                  • 18 April 2011
                   
                   

                  Investing in stocks, controlling company shares and corporate governance

                    Paving the way for discussions at this National Roundtable session was the acknowledgement that in a climate where globalization processes are playing an increasingly more central role in Italy’s social and economic development, Italian firms also need to gear themselves up to being more globally competitive. Achieving this objective, it was suggested, brings with it a renewed need for financing or refinancing of many of the country’s firms and banks.

                  • 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.