The role of Europe in the framework of the current global financial crisis and the reform of the international financial institutions were discussed by Prof. Roger Liddle in two debates entitled "Economic crisis: a threat or an opportunity?", organised by the British Embassy in Rome on 2 February 2009.

Liddle, former Economic Adviser to EU Commission President Josè Manuel Barroso and former Tony Blair's Special Adviser for European Affairs when the latter was Prime Minister, spoke in the afternoon at Villa Wolkonsky , UK Ambassador's residence in Rome, in the presence of representatives for the Italian economic world.

Liddle's analysis focused on the role that Europe may play in pulling through the current financial crisis. He hoped that the EU could become a sort of "father of globalisation", reinforcing its transatlantic economic partnerships and thus avoiding a path of "de-globalisation". Liddle also addressed the issue of the reform of international financial institutions, insisting on the need for the establishment of new representation critieria within those bodies.

In the morning, Liddle had taken part in a round table hosted at the Faculty of Economics of University of Rome Tor Vergata, which organised the event together with the British Embassy. In the presence of a few dozens of Tor Vergata students and professors, Unifortune Asset Management executive director, Dr. Alberto Giovannini, took part in the debate with prof. Liddle. The debate was opened by the Dean of the Tor Vergata Faculty of Economy, Prof. Michele Bagella, and moderated by Financial Times correspondent in Rome, Guy Dinmore.

Photos of the event at Villa Wolkonsky are available in our image library.

Notes for Editors

Prof. Roger Liddle, former Economic Adviser to the EU Commission President Josè Manuel Barroso and former European Affairs Special Adviser to Tony Blair, is currently the vice chair of Policy Network, an international think tank focusing on political and social issues. Liddle is the author of numerous articles and publications on EU and UK economic and social policy, and is currently a visiting fellow at the European Institute of the London School of Economics.

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