At the Procuratie Vecchie the discussion promoted by Panorama brought together institutions, businesses and culture. From Urso to Stefani, from Venturini to Buttafuoco: at the center of the challenges of a region called to continue to grow
Venice as a privileged observation point to talk about the challenges of the future. This is the common thread that emerged from the Venetian stage of Panorama on the Roadthe weekly event directed by Maurizio Belpietro housed in the setting of the Procuratie Vecchie.
A day of discussion that brought together institutions, businesses and protagonists from the cultural world to talk about economic growth, infrastructure, energy, autonomy, tourism, territorial protection and innovation. A debate which had as its common element the desire to overcome the narrative of a Veneto in difficulty and instead look at the opportunities and challenges that await one of the most important regions of the country.
The industrial theme was at the center of the speech of the Minister of Enterprise and Made in Italy Adolfo Ursoconnected from Rome. The minister explained that Porto Marghera was a candidate to become one of two European pilot sites for the storage of critical raw materials, together with another area in Northern Europe. The objective is to create a strategic reserve capable of guaranteeing European companies supplies for at least six months in the event of international shocks. A project that, according to Ursuscould be approved by next autumn and which would not be limited to storage: the Venetian industrial area could also become a hub for the refining and recycling of critical raw materials, activities considered fundamental for reducing Europe’s dependence on China. In his speech, the minister also addressed the future of European industry, the automotive sector and the energy transition, indicating the time horizon for the return of nuclear power in Italy to be around eight years. A theme that is linked to the need to guarantee competitive energy to companies in the coming years, while new needs related to artificial intelligence and data centers grow.
From the government to the Region, the president of Veneto Alberto Stefani indicated the priorities for the territory. The theme of housing is at the center, with a bill on social housing and a 50 million euro plan to support that segment of the population that is not covered by public housing but still struggles to purchase a home. Stefani he then recalled the need to accelerate infrastructure, starting with high speed and large strategic works. “We need a transversal yes party,” explained the governor, underlining the importance of accompanying the development of the territory. Another challenge concerns training: Veneto will have to address the problem of the shortage of qualified workers in the coming years by investing more in the relationship between schools and businesses. Finally, the President of the Region defended the path to autonomy, defining it as a reform destined to impact the lives of citizens and not a simple political issue.
The city of Venice was instead at the center of the mayor’s intervention Simone Venturiniwho opened the day of discussion interviewed by the director Belpietro. From tourism to depopulation, the mayor explained the need for specific tools for a reality with unique characteristics. On the entry fee, Venturini clarified that the objective is not to select visitors based on economic availability, but to know tourist flows in advance to better organize services. Among the requests to the government are also a strengthening of the special law for Venice and a greater capacity to plan the interventions necessary to safeguard the city. The mayor indicated the recovery of empty homes, social housing and the attraction of new work activities as some of the levers to combat depopulation and strengthen the Venetian middle class.
He spoke about the protection of the lagoon Roberto Rossettopresident of the Venice Lagoon Authority and commander of the MOSE. In comparison with the writer and journalist Giampiero Beltotto, Lipstick underlined how the high water protection system has changed life in the city. According to the data illustrated during the meeting, the 156 activations of the MOSE have avoided damages amounting to approximately 3.5 billion euros. «The challenge», he explained, «will now be to look to the future considering the rise in sea levels and the need to plan the necessary interventions in time».
The topic was brought back to the cultural dimension of Venice Pietrangelo Buttafuocopresident of the Venice Biennale. In his speech he defended the role of the Biennale as a place of international discussion, also addressing the controversy that arose around the Russian pavilion and the so-called European code of ethics. Second ButtfireVenice cannot be considered just a heritage of the past, but a living reality, capable of generating development through culture. «Where there is beauty, beauty generates related activities», he explained, underlining the link between cultural quality and the economic capacity of a territory. A reasoning which, according to the president of the Biennale, also concerns the relationship between Venice and the rest of the country: the strength of the city comes from the ability to enhance the energies of the territories.
The role of businesses was at the center of the panel Who keeps the country standingwith representatives of the Veneto production system. Paola Carronpresident of Confindustria Veneto Est, recalled the economic weight of the region, with 80 billion in exports and a strong industrial presence. What emerged from the discussion was the demand for competitive energy, adequate infrastructure and certain rules to allow companies to continue investing. The president of DBA Group spa Francesco De Bettinthe entrepreneur Angel Mandatethe journalist and communications manager at Interporto Rivers Fulvio Giuliani and the regional director of Veneto Trenitalia Ivan Aggazio they recalled the themes of competitiveness, the circular economy, logistics and the role of transport in the development of the territory. To close the day the dialogue between Belpietro And Roberto Papettidirector of The Gazzettinoalso dedicated to the future of information in a phase marked by digital transformation and the advance of artificial intelligence. Second PapettiRegardless of the platforms used, the difference will continue to be the ability to find news and above all to tell it with credibility.
