From June 23-26, GMF hosted the Marshall Forum on Transatlantic Affairs in Turin, Italy, with the support of our long-standing partner, the Compagnia di San Paolo. The theme of the conference, regional action in times of global challenges, was woven throughout the panel sessions and keynote speeches. The Forum covered a range of topics including local issues such as urban economic development and the restructuring of industrial relations, regional issues like the Arab Spring and political change in the Balkans, as well as global challenges like sustainability and climate change. The Mayor of Turin gave a keynote speech on how the city of Turin reinvented itself and became a truly global city after the decline of the automotive industry. As Italy is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, the conference featured a lecture by Professor Barberis of the University of Turin.

The urban redevelopment of Turin was also showcased by the Friday night dinner, which took place at the Officine Grande Riparazioni (OGR), an old, abandoned factory, and a site visit to FIAT’s old factory, the Lingotto building. While the OGR has been redeveloped into an event space for exhibits, the Lingotto building today hosts a shopping mall, and art gallery, and conference facilities.

To view the full agenda, please click here.

To read Walter Barberis, Professor of University of Turin's speech, click here

To read Piero Fassino, Mayor of Turin's speech, click here.