Paolo Gentiloni, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, speaking at this year’s Venice Seminar
The twenty-first edition of the Seminar for the British media took place in Venice on 15-16 January 2016 at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.
The Venice Seminar offers an opportunity for opinion makers of the British media to become acquainted with the latest trends in Italian foreign, economic, and domestic policies, introduced by representatives of the Italian Government, and of the Italian economic system and industry. The meetings take place in an informal setting, based on “Chatham House Rule”.
At the presence of more than 40 journalists who were greeted during an introductory presentation by the Chancellor of Ca’ Foscari, Professor Michele Bugliesi, the Ambassador of Italy to the United Kingdom, Pasquale Q. Terracciano, opened the working sessions, which were structured in three panels and took place over two days:
-The first panel centred on “Start-ups and innovative SME’s: new Italian eco-system for growth and business generation” was moderated by Ferdinando Giugliano, economic commentator for La Repubblica (formerly of the Financial Times) and saw Domenico Arcuri, Invitalia CEO as keynote speaker and Ugo Parodi Giusino, Founder and CEO, Mosaicoon and Massimiliano Magrini, Founder and CEO, United Ventures, as discussants.
-The second panel opened the following day, and focused on “Debt, savings and investment: an agenda to boost growth and jobs in Italy and Europe”. The discussion was moderated by Beda Romano, Il Sole 24 Ore correspondent from Brussels. Italian Finance Minister Pier Carlo Padoan gave the keynote speech for this Panel whereas Claudio Costamagna, President, Cassa Depositi e Prestiti and Carlo Messina, CEO, Intesa Sanpaolo, took part as discussants.
-The third panel, on the “Geo-political challenges in the Mediterranean” was moderated by Lucia Annunziata, Director of the Huffington Post Italy. Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni, gave his keynote speech, providing key points on Italian foreign policy and highlighting the importance of the Mediterranean region. Claudio Descalzi, CEO, Eni and Giovanni Soccodato, Executive Vice President, Finmeccanica, concluded the panel with their talks on the current and future challenges of their respective companies.
In addition to the working sessions which took place at University of Venice Ca’Foscari, this year saw the addition of a session on culture which took place at the headquarters of the Venice Biennale Foundation. During a meeting, Prof. Paolo Baratta, President of the Biennale, talked about the milestones in the history of the Foundation and provided an update on key initiatives taking place at La Biennale which will see it increasingly involved as a main actor in the international cultural panorama.
Following the meeting at the Biennale, participants visited the Gallerie dell’Accademia, where they were greeted by Director Paola Marini and by representatives of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities who accompanied the journalists on a guided tour of the museum. The art which they had the chance to view, included works by Tintoretto, Giorgione, Veronese, Tiepolo and the molds of Canova located in the new wing, which is not yet open to the public.
Another parallel event took place the following day when Venice Seminar participants took part in a visit to Venice’s historical Jewish Ghetto. The visitors were welcomed by a committee, that included, among others, Paolo Gnignati, President of the Venetian Jewish community, the Chief Rabbi Scialom Bahbout, Marcella Ansaldi, Director of the Jewish Museum of Venice and Shaul Bassi, Coordinator of the Committee for the 500th Anniversary of the Ghetto of Venice. During the tour, journalists had the chance of visiting the Spanish synagogue as well as those of the Great German, Canton and Italian schools and the city’s Jewish museum. The visit to the Ghetto of Venice coincided with the approaching 500th anniversary of its foundation which takes place on 29 March 2016.
The Venice Seminar is made possible through the generosity of its main sponsors Finmeccanica and Eni, who have been joined this year by Intesa Sanpaolo. Lloyds Register has for the first time sponsored the traditional gala dinner.
