Press Release

As the closing event of the Trento Festival of Economics, the dialogue “Economic Development as a Social Priority” featured Emanuele Orsini (President of Confindustria) and Fabio Tamburini (Director of Il Sole 24 Ore) in a discussion on the central role of economic growth in strengthening social cohesion, competitiveness, and long-term stability. The conversation addressed the challenges facing Italian industry and the wider European economy, focusing on investment, innovation, and the relationship between business development and social responsibility in an increasingly complex global scenario.

Within the framework of the Trento Festival of Economics, the dialogue “Historical Memory and Rights” featured Silvia Marzialetti (Radiocor - Il Sole 24 Ore) and Jan Račinskij (President of Memorial, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2022) in a discussion on the importance of preserving historical memory in times of war, censorship and growing authoritarianism.

Within the programme of the Trento Festival of Economics, the panel “UN: the hopes of young people” offered a high-level discussion on the future of multilateralism and the role of international institutions. Held in collaboration with ISPI - Italian Institute for International Political Studies, the event was moderated by Paolo Magri (ISPI), and featured Marina Castellaneta (Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro), Staffan de Mistura (United Nations - Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General for Western Sahara), and Maurizio Massari (Ambassador; former Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations).

As part of the Trento Festival of Economics, “The Age of Predators” opened with a round table featuring Mario Capanna (writer), Enzo Fortunato (Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day), Marco Magnani (LUISS Guido Carli University) and Pietro Modiano (economist and former banker), moderated by Riccardo Barlaam (Il Sole 24 Ore). It then closed with a conversation with Tawakkol Karman (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2011).

As part of the 2026 edition of the Trento Festival of Economics 2026, the panel discussion "Trump’s America Towards the Midterm Election" gathered scholars, diplomats and analysts to discuss the evolving role of the United States in the international arena ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Featuring Gregory Alegi (LUISS Guido Carli University), Mario Del Pero (Sciences Po Paris), Ambassador Mariangela Zappia (ISPI - Italian Institute for International Political Studies), and moderated by Paolo Magri (ISPI - Italian Institute for International Political Studies), the event offered insights into the domestic and geopolitical dynamics shaping US foreign policy.

As part of the Trento Festival of Economics 2026, the panel “Beijing’s Resilience” brought together leading international experts offered a timely perspective on China’s resilience and evolving trajectory. Moderated by Rita Fatiguso (Il Sole 24 Ore), the panel featured distinguished speakers including Zhang Chenggang, (Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Milan), Kerry Brown (Lau China Institute, King’s College London), Ivan Cardillo (Institute of Chinese Law) and Yang Wang (The University of Hong Kong).

A well-attended panel discussion titled “Comparison of Industrial Economies: United States, China, Europe” was held within the framework of the 21st edition of the Trento Festival of Economics, focusing on key issues in economic policy and global industrial competitiveness. The event was moderated by Flavia Giacobbe (Editor-in-chief, Formiche and Airpress) and brought together leading experts and institutional figures, including Franco Bassanini (President, Fondazione Astrid), Zhiyi He (Dean, Global Institute for the Advancement of Industry and Technology, Nankai University), Simone Masè (CEO, BAT Italy), Fabrizio Onida (Università Bocconi), Giovanni Tria (University of Rome Tor Vergata), and Michele Valensise (Ambassador, President of the IAI), who contributed to a high-level exchange on the evolving balance between major economic areas.

“Europe in Global Disorder: Presentation of the Florence Report” brought together economists, policymakers, and business figures for a discussion on Europe’s economic and industrial future. The event, featuring the presentation of the Florence Report, opened with a conversation between Gianfelice Rocca (President of Techint Group) and Lina Palmerini (Il Sole 24 Ore), followed by a round table with Marco Buti (European University Institute), Giancarlo Corsetti (European University Institute), Miguel Fernández-Palacios (Ambassador of Spain to Italy), and Marcello Messori (European University Institute).

Aiming to foster a broad debate on key global challenges in a climate of international uncertainty, Trento hosts the opening of the 21st Economics Festival, organized by Gruppo 24 Ore and Trentino Marketing on behalf of the Autonomous Province of Trento, in cooperation with the Municipality and the University of Trento. The five-day event with 360 appointments will focus on the rise of new technological and geopolitical powers and their effects on those who will shape the future.

At the Trento Festival of Economics, Nobel Laureate in Economics 2010, Sir Christopher Pissarides joins a dialogue with Giulia Crivelli, journalist of Il Sole 24 Ore on AI, the future of the labour market, and the power of soft skills.

Highlights include scientific outreach, the social economy, future professions, financial education, sustainability, health, and well-being. Radio 24 broadcasts live from Piazza Fiera, the location which is also hosting Casa Sole. Evening events feature classical and pop music, along with the humour of Zelig Lab.

Over 700 speakers: 4 Nobel Laureates, 16 Ministers, 111 speakers from academia, 35 national and international economists, 87 representatives of national institutions, and over 90 managers and entrepreneurs. Over five days, more than 300 events, including “Fuori Festival”, “Economie dei Territori”, “Incontri con l’Autore”. 53 Business Partners and 12 Media Partners (Il Sole 24 Ore, IlSole24OreTV, Radio 24, Radiocor, De Telegraaf, ElEconomista.es, Financial Times, Linkedin Notizie, Politiken, Sky Tg24, Yomiuri Shimbun, Wenhui Daily)