The Pontignano Conference, established in 1993, brings together the British and Italian politicians, parliamentarians, business people, academics, journalists and other opinion formers. The themes under discussion at the Conference are the key issues facing Britain and Italy in Europe today. It is chaired by Chris Patten and Prof. Giuliano Amato and takes place every year during the month of September at the Certosa di Pontignano, near Siena. The Conference is organised by the British Council and the British Embassy in Rome in collaboration with the Italian Embassy in London, the University of Siena and St Antony's College, Oxford.
Pontignano XVI
26 - 28 September 2008
“Identities in transition. Who do we want to be?”
Last year's Pontignano Conference considered the effects of climate change on the political, economic and social fabric of Italy and the UK. This year the bilateral event celebrated its XVIth year and we focused on the changing nature of European identities and key relationships that will shape the future.
The conference, which is held under Chatham House Rules, opened on the evening of Friday 26 September with a keynote speech by Beppe Severgnini, followed by a debate. John Peet of the Economist Intelligence Unit presented a statistical overview for the conference theme. As last year, we also reported on a survey of young people’s opinions on the topic under discussion.
On 25 March 1957, two treaties were signed in Rome. The treaty that gave birth to the European Economic Community affirmed in its introduction that signatory states were "determined to lay the foundations of an ever closer union among the peoples of Europe". 51 years later we ask:
•Does the Lisbon Treaty mark the abandonment of the goal of making Europe an ever closer union?
•Where do we root our identities and where do our loyalties lie – in values, ethnicity, nationality or religion?
•How are we coping with increasing multiculturalism? Is immigration undermining our sense of national identity? How well are we responding to developments taking place outside Europe, e.g. shifts in global power that affect the way we see ourselves?
•In the future will we identify more keenly with our membership of a global, regional or local community rather than our nation?
We will debate these questions through the following four strands:
This workshop discussed "who we want to be" in the context of the UK and Italy - two countries with increasing internal problems of identity and social cohesion. Is there a crisis of identity? The workshop covered questions such as the impact of migration and of religious groupings on our societies and asked how we might respond to these challenges on a national or European level.
What makes Europe? Does Europe have shared values which constitute its identity? What or where are the limits of Europe? Within the context of these questions, this workshop addressed such issues as the enlargement of Europe (the Balkans, Turkey) and relations with neighbours who will not join (Russia).
Has there been a shift in the relationship between Europe and America despite the existence of shared values? Has the Iraq experience changed the American mindset towards a realisation that US interests cannot be protected by hard power alone? How might Europe deploy its soft power assets to exercise greater influence?
This workshop reflected on the future of transatlantic relationships. It looked at foreign policy issues such as the Middle East, terrorism, and nuclear proliferation which impact heavily on our interests, but over which we can no longer exercise much control. It also considered the political and economic influence of emerging powers and how the European Union might respond.
How do we as nations, or as Europe, preserve our economic interests in a globalized economy? What will be the economic as well as political effects of a shift in economic power, the rise of India, Russia and China and the threat of protectionist reactions? What impact will globalization have on our individual national and collective European identities? What are the advantages and hazards of a globalized economy? How do we see the role of traditional factors such as trust and continuity in the face of insecurity and speculation?
On Sunday the conference concluded with a plenary discussion surrounding issues of the day that are of concern to the UK and Italy.
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