Fatal risks and choices: Europe’s compass passes through Trento and stops at BBS

22 April 2025

Bologna Business School hosted the presentation of the 20th edition of the Trento Festival of Economics at its New Campus. Introducing the event, moderated by Dean Max Bergami, was Fabio Tamburini, Director of Il Sole 24 Ore, Radiocor and Radio 24, in a dialogue rich with insights and reflections, open to students and the School Community.

The meeting offered a preview of themes, speakers and key issues of the Festival, taking place in Trento from May 22 to 25, 2025. The title of the edition – Fatal risks and choices. Europe at a crossroads – captures a deeply transforming geopolitical and socioeconomic context. “We chose it in October,” recalled Tamburini, “when it wasn’t yet obvious. But today, it feels perfectly on point.”

In his remarks, the Director emphasized the scale and importance of the event: “We’ll have over 120 panels, more than 600 speakers from all over the world, six Nobel Prize winners and a strong focus on engaging young people – not just as attendees but also as active contributors.” Among the speakers: Dean Bergami, who will discuss the timely topic of the brain drain (and return) of Italian talent.

At the heart of the Festival is dialectic. “Debate between even opposing viewpoints is the engine of change. In a time when the world seems to favor strength over reasoning, we must reclaim the value of intellect,” said Tamburini. A perspective that resonates with the educational mission of Bologna Business School, which fosters an interdisciplinary, open and aware approach to the major challenges of our time.

The discussion touched on globalization, demographic crisis, technological revolution, sustainability and the new world order. “We are living through a phase of formidable acceleration,” noted Bergami. “This demands that tomorrow’s leaders – and therefore our students – develop a dual skillset: managing internal organization and staying sharp in reading external changes, which are increasingly rapid and unpredictable.”

Among the key topics of the Festival: the impact of artificial intelligence, the dynamics of new protectionism, the energy transition, the challenges of public debt, and the role of Europe in a world marked by tension and uncertainty. The future of democracy, the rise in voter abstention, and the return of authoritarian tendencies will also be explored. “In times of fear and uncertainty,” Tamburini reminded, “it’s easier to look back nostalgically at autocratic models, forgetting that democracy – while imperfect – remains our best guarantee of freedom.”

The event at BBS concluded with an open invitation to the entire Community: take part in the Festival of Trento to cultivate awareness, vision and critical thinking. “Europe truly stands at a crossroads,” Tamburini concluded. “But even in difficult times, if we make the right choices, a new golden age can begin. After the storm, comes the light. We just need to choose the right path.”

Discover the full Festival program: Trento Festival of Economics | May 22 – 25, 2025