National Conferences
Italy, with its difficulties and its desires, its points of excellence and its need for reforms, is the focus of Aspen's "Italy's current affairs" series. In a closed-door setting, leaders from the worlds of politics, business, academia and the media discuss strategic issues for industry and the economy as a whole, as well as for Italian society and culture.

This new program is testament to the Institute's commitment to revitalizing Italy's image abroad and to devising proposals and mechanisms geared to making Italy's economy more cohesive and dynamic in order that it may compete in a global market. Innovative analyses and ideas for addressing the most critical Italian economic and political issues are raised for discussion among the Institute's members.

The conferences focus on the most important issues affecting competitiveness in Italy.  Some examples include:
• Research, innovation, technology
• Social integration, security, immigration
• Moving from "Made in Italy" to "Made best in Italy"
• Federalism for the modernization of Italy
• The Italian health system: sustainability, quality and responsibility
• Reinforcing the real economy with public investments
• Reforming public administration and simplifying norms
• The path to broadband in Italy

Articles and papers written specifically for presentation at the conferences help trigger in-depth debate amongst varying schools of thought and enrich the scientific and cultural backdrop of the discussion.

When it is deemed necessary, the meetings conclude with a press conference to raise awareness in the national and international media of the topical nature and relevance of the issues discussed, the analysis conducted and the proposals presented.

Roundtable Discussions
Aspen roundtables offer our members an opportunity for in-depth and cross-cutting analysis - usually over lunch - of a single topic of strategic national and international interest. In recent years, this successful format has become increasingly important in the Institute's program of events. The carefully chosen topics of current interest and the short format of the meetings continue to attract representatives from the business, institutional and academic spheres.

The meetings are held behind closed doors and are off the record so as to elicit a frank and lively exchange of ideas as well as different and often contrasting viewpoints. The number of participants is intentionally limited and media representatives are invited to participate in a personal capacity only. Indeed, the proceedings of roundtable sessions are not published publicly.

Examples of some key themes addressed here include:
• The role of Foundations
• The importance of social responsibility
• Economic information, the market and business in Italy
• Growth in Italy's Mezzogiorno
• The social and economic relevance of sports in Italy
• Banks and the national interest
• Italy's identity, culture and language
• Energy security and alternative resources
• New balances between the State and the market
• Changes in relations between the university system and business

A brief report, sent only to the participants and made available to Board Members, is prepared after each roundtable, summarizing the analysis and proposals which emerged from the discussion.