This session’s debate will first focus on the impact of the pandemic on the specific market of venture capital. How is it possible to promote innovation and long-term investment through start-ups? The debate will propose different ways venture capital can unlock potential benefits for the global economy.

Speakers will discuss how national economies, local businesses, vulnerable workers and households can be supported in the Post-COVID Era. The discussion will also tackle how countries will need to find a challenging balance between funding injections into their local economies and avoiding foreign retaliation against such measures. Additionally, speakers will contribute to the conversation by providing their insights into how trade, commerce and finance will change in the post-pandemic age. They will provide their informed understanding on this crucial topic by envisioning the future of global markets.

Sub-Session 3.1: Unlocking society’s benefits through Venture Capital and Start-ups in the Post-COVID Era

Sub-Session 3.2: Supporting national economies, local businesses, and vulnerable workers

Sub-Session 3.3: Reshaping international economic and financial interdependencies in the Post-COVID Era

How can we make the most out of technological advances in the Post-COVID Era? The need for containment and monitoring measures has certainly found an ally in technology: apps, tracking devices and AI-based technologies of all sorts have served the purpose of flattening the curve. Yet, privacy concerns have rapidly emerged and entered the debate. This session’s speakers will thus evaluate the trade-off between privacy and safety when monitoring people and tracking the spread of diseases.

The debate will also take a look at how technology is helping societies reshape the way people work and live, without neglecting that access to remote working and distance learning is not equally available to all people. How can we bridge the digital divide, then? Last but not least, the debate will turn to how people and businesses can be empowered by leveraging AI and Big Data in the Post-COVID Era.

Sub-Session 4.1: Evaluating the trade-off between privacy and safety

Sub-Session 4.2: Welcoming new ways of working and living and bridging the digital divide

Sub-Session 4.3: Leveraging AI and Big Data to empower people and businesses

In what ways will societies differ in the Post-COVID Era? This session will focus on the transformations that societies will experience in the post-pandemic world. The spread of COVID-19 has certainly had an impact on the way people work and live. An increasing amount of social scientific research has looked at the implications of both the COVID-19 pandemic and the quarantine measures that have been implemented. Speakers will assess the psychological and sociological effects on populations, notably on vulnerable people.

Which historical and philosophical lessons can we draw from post-pandemic societies? Participants will address the Post-COVID Era from a historical and philosophical standpoint, in an attempt to better prepare for the future by learning from the past. The debate will then turn to how travel and mobility have been impacted by the pandemic and how they will necessarily change in the Post-COVID Era.

Sub-Session 5.1: Factoring in the psychological and sociological implications of COVID-19

Sub-Session 5.2: Historical and philosophical lessons from post-pandemic societies

Sub-Session 5.3: Adapting to changes in travel and mobility in the Post-COVID Era

What challenges will businesses face in the Post-COVID Era? This session will explore business concerns in the Post-COVID Era, notably in terms of fostering innovation. Multinational corporations and local companies have all been affected by COVID-19. Speakers will thus discuss best practices and innovation strategies that businesses across sectors should implement to tackle the impact of the pandemic.

Innovation will be discussed through the lens of public-private partnerships and data collaboration in the Post-COVID Era. Close attention will also be devoted to the Energy sector and its potential for innovation. Finally, the session will focus on how businesses can best adapt to the shifting needs and behaviours that characterise post-pandemic consumption patterns.

Sub-Session 6.1: Fostering innovation through public-private partnership and data collaboration

Sub-Session 6.2: The innovation potential of the Energy sector

Sub-Session 6.3: Adapting to post-pandemic consumption patterns