Global Stratalogues — Venice Biennale Edition

Global Stratalogues — Venice Biennale Edition
Palazzo Pisani, Venice · May 16–18, 2025
Health & Longevity
Innovating for inclusive access and longer, better lives
Impact Finance
Aligning capital with conscience for sustainable growth
Blockchain & AI Policy
Governing transformative technologies for human benefit
Technology & Entertainment
Culture as a global force in the digital age
Hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture at the Venice Biennale Architettura
Partners:
Executive Summary
Where Technology, Finance, Culture & Design Converge
In the shadow of Venice's historic canals and palazzos, a remarkable delegation of global thinkers convened for the Global Stratalogues event at the Biennale Architettura. Over three days, policymakers, innovators, artists, and academics from the Gulf, Europe, Asia, and the Americas engaged in four high-level roundtables — each tackling a grand challenge of our time through a reflective, human-centered lens.
Across these dialogues, a unifying narrative emerged: inclusion must become the default in design and policy, culture and technology must co-evolve, and innovation must serve humanity's deepest needs. The Venice gathering emphasized that solutions to global problems are as much cultural and philosophical as they are technical. As Giselle Alers, Chair of GESDC, noted: "Venice reminded us that inclusion is not only technical — it is cultural. Just as AI must reflect our values, cities must reflect our shared humanity."
Profit & Purpose Aligned
Finance roundtables demonstrated that impact-driven models are both profitable and transformative — investment is a moral choice.
Culture Without Compromise
The Korean entertainment wave showed that culture can be strategically globalized without losing its soul or authenticity.
Health for All
Health innovations must be equitably accessible, especially to the most vulnerable populations across the globe.
Technology as Servant
Emerging technologies like blockchain and AI need careful stewardship to augment human welfare rather than displace it.
"The future of cities depends not only on how we build, but on how we connect across time, geography, and imagination."
— Oscar Wendel, Summit Chairman
Venice — a city where timeless heritage meets modern innovation — served as more than a backdrop. It became a metaphor for the event's core message: by learning from our collective past and leveraging our shared innovations, we can design a future that is inclusive, sustainable, and profoundly human.
The Setting
Palazzo Pisani: Where History Hosts the Future
The grandeur of Palazzo Pisani — one of Venice's most storied noble residences — provided an extraordinary backdrop for three days of high-level dialogue. Its storied halls and sun-drenched cortile became chambers of inquiry, where delegates from across continents gathered around the table to reimagine the world's most pressing challenges.
The Palazzo's baroque architecture — with its colonnaded courtyard, ornate staircases, and centuries-old frescoes — served as a living reminder that Venice has long been a crossroads of civilizations, trade, and ideas. This spirit of convergence infused every session, inspiring participants to look beyond disciplinary boundaries and regional divides.
Roundtable I
Health, Longevity & Accessibility — The Speakers
This roundtable united a distinguished cohort of advocates, architects, and technologists committed to building a world that serves every human being — regardless of age, ability, or geography.
Jacqueline Winstanley
UK · Founder & CEO, Universal Inclusion
A globally recognized advocate for disability rights and inclusive entrepreneurship, Jacqueline serves as Secretariat to the UK Parliament's APPG for Disability. She co-moderated this roundtable, bringing deep expertise on how policy and business can remove barriers for persons with disabilities across innovation ecosystems worldwide.
Dr. Talal Alharbi
Saudi Arabia · Head of Accessibility, Saudi Giga Projects
At the forefront of integrating accessibility into Saudi Arabia's largest urban developments — including projects for the 2030 Expo and World Cup — Dr. Alharbi offered a visionary blueprint for cities built on flexibility, dignity, and participation. His work is setting new global standards for inclusive urban living at scale.
Dr. Tomasz George
UK/Poland · CEO, Freyr Health
A technologist and medical researcher working on AI-driven healthcare and longevity research, Dr. George brought cutting-edge ideas including patient-owned health data economies and AI tools for preventive care. His contributions balanced optimism about emerging science with pragmatic insight into extending healthspan equitably.
Giovanni Fontana Antonelli
Italy · Architect, Urban Planner & Cultural Heritage Expert
Having worked with UNESCO on integrating cultural heritage with modern urban planning, Giovanni highlighted how well-designed public spaces and preserved cultural identity contribute directly to community well-being. His perspective bridged physical health, mental health, and cultural belonging in a uniquely Venetian context.
Ilya Churakov
UAE · Founder & CEO, AI World Alliance
Ilya's contributions spanned multiple sessions, underscoring the interconnectedness of health, technology, and impact finance. In this context, he stressed the role of entrepreneurs in developing inclusive tech solutions and argued for innovation ecosystems that benefit the many — not just the privileged few.
Roundtable I — Deep Dive
Health, Longevity & Accessibility: Innovating for a World That Works for Everyone
The Health, Longevity & Accessibility roundtable delved into one of humanity's most enduring pursuits — a healthier, longer life for all — through the twin lenses of technology and inclusive design. Co-led by Jacqueline Winstanley and Dr. Talal Alharbi, this session united experts in healthcare, policy, urban planning, and artificial intelligence to grapple with profound questions: How can we harness AI, biotech, and urban design to extend healthy lifespans without deepening inequality? What does it mean to build cities and systems that are "accessible by default" for every individual, regardless of ability or age?
Designing for Inclusive Futures
Dr. Alharbi set the stage by describing Saudi Arabia's massive new city projects as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. "We are building for future generations that will demand flexibility, dignity, and participation at every level," he asserted. Inclusion must be proactive, not reactive — ingrained from the start, whether in city planning or software design.
Participants discussed Accessibility Impact Assessments (AIAIs) — formal reviews to ensure innovations serve people with disabilities and aging populations before deployment. Such mechanisms, developed through Global Stratalogues' own collaborations, could guide tech development so that "do no harm" extends to "do maximum good" for marginalized communities.
Longevity for the Many, Not the Few
The conversation ventured into longevity science — from AI-assisted drug discovery to personalized medicine — and its promise to extend healthy human lifespans. Dr. Tomasz George spoke about AI-powered systems that could predict and prevent diseases before they strike. Yet tough questions followed: will these benefits be equitably distributed, or remain the privilege of those who can afford bio-hacking and gene therapies?
The roundtable emphasized global frameworks to share health innovations widely, especially with low-income countries. The COVID-19 pandemic's lessons loomed large — breakthroughs mean little if they don't reach everyone. Longevity, participants agreed, must not become a commercial race. The goal is not just a longer life, but a more just and compassionate life course for all.
Roundtable I — Continued
Data, AI & the Cultural Dimensions of Well-Being
Empowering Through Data and AI
A unifying thread was the role of data and AI in empowering patients and persons with disabilities. Dr. Tomasz George described a model where individuals control and monetize their personal health data — a patient collective licensing anonymized data to pharmaceutical researchers in exchange for revenue that funds their own care. While intriguing, this raised ethical concerns about privacy and consent; trust and transparency were deemed paramount.
Jacqueline Winstanley highlighted how technology opens doors for people with disabilities: remote work platforms, AI-driven accessibility tools like real-time sign language translators, smart prosthetics, and inclusive fintech that enable full participation in society.
"The future belongs to entrepreneurs who can build AI solutions that work for everyone, not just the privileged few."
— Ilya Churakov, CEO, AI World Alliance
Culture, Health & Well-Being
Uniquely, this roundtable bridged cultural heritage with well-being — entirely befitting the Venice setting. Giovanni Fontana Antonelli reminded the group that environments profoundly affect health — not just physically, but mentally and socially. Preserving cultural identity and community cohesion can reduce stress and improve quality of life. Accessibility thus extends beyond ramps and apps to encompass the cultural fabric that gives people a sense of belonging.
Venice itself — a city that has adapted ancient structures for modern accessibility — became a living case study: a metaphor for how we might retrofit the world for longevity. By the session's end, participants converged on Dr. Alharbi's guiding vision of "inclusive by default" — any innovation automatically evaluated for its impact on all segments of society.
As Giselle Alers concluded: "Inclusion cannot only be technical; it has to be cultural."
Roundtable II
Impact Finance: Driving Sustainable Growth Through Innovation
The Impact Finance roundtable, led by Giselle M. Alers of the Global Economic Sustainable Development Commission, challenged the old dichotomy of profit versus philanthropy. In this conversation, capital met conscience as global financiers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers explored how financial innovation can drive sustainable development. The core insight was philosophical: finance is ultimately a statement of what we value as a society.
The Small Business Revolution
Anis Khan, founder of the Global SME Hub, shared a powerful story: with proceeds from his ventures, he built a school in his mother's village. "Finance is a statement of values. Where we invest is what we value." Traditional finance overlooks SMEs despite these businesses creating the majority of jobs worldwide — a mismatch the roundtable sought to correct.
Your Data as Your Paycheck
Dr. Tomasz George introduced a visionary proposal: enabling individuals to own and monetize their personal health data as a source of income. This could especially benefit refugees, people with disabilities, and others excluded from traditional labor markets. In a world where data is the "new oil," those who generate it — ordinary people — should share in its value.
Bridging Global Divides
Murat Seitnepesov highlighted a stark reality: only ~4% of global investment reaches emerging markets, despite nearly half of investors expressing interest. "The problem isn't will — it's infrastructure." Technologies like AI for credit risk assessment and blockchain for transparent cross-border funding could unlock the vast potential of underserved economies.
Roundtable II — Continued
Reimagining the Purpose of Finance
Throughout the Impact Finance dialogue, speakers acknowledged significant challenges — entrenched interests, regulatory hurdles, skewed risk perceptions — while remaining focused on actionable ideas and practical models that bridge the gap between aspiration and execution.
The philosophical undercurrent was unmistakable: a fundamental reimagining of finance's purpose is underway. Instead of viewing impact as a niche or a sacrifice, the next generation of investors and policymakers are positioning it as central to growth and innovation itself. The real-world examples shared — from community lending platforms in Southeast Asia to climate bonds in sub-Saharan Africa — demonstrated that capital, when directed with conscience, creates compounding social returns alongside financial ones.
"Impact finance is not charity in disguise — it is the strategy to build the future we want, aligning profit with purpose at a global scale."
Key Strategic Takeaways
Redirect dormant capital in wealthy nations toward developing-world transformation projects
Use AI for better credit risk assessment in underserved and emerging markets
Leverage blockchain for transparent, trust-building cross-border funding mechanisms
Establish institutional "sandboxes" that encourage impact-focused investment experimentation
Champion SMEs in developing regions as engines of inclusive, community-driven growth
Roundtable III
Technology & Entertainment: Culture as a Global Force
Executive Summary
The Entertainment roundtable, moderated by Oscar Wendel and featuring a high-level delegation from South Korea's MBC media group, examined how technology and innovation are reshaping cultural narratives across the globe. Set against Venice's artistic heritage, the session explored the rise of Korean pop culture as a deliberate, tech-enabled phenomenon — and pondered the future of storytelling in the digital age.
Participants from broadcasting, film, music, and gaming reflected on the formula behind Korea's cultural "soft power" revolution — from government policies to studio systems — and whether such models can thrive amid YouTube, TikTok, AI, and NFTs. The discussion struck a reflective tone on the balance between traditional structures and new decentralized platforms.
Ultimately, the session affirmed that while technologies evolve, human creativity and connection remain paramount. Culture, they noted, is a powerful force for bridging divides — and its global success requires both embracing innovation and preserving authenticity.
The Korean Wave: When Culture Meets Code
In recent decades, South Korea's entertainment industry transformed from a local curiosity into a global phenomenon. Representatives from MBC Global Media, including Director Hyungmoon Choi and Deputy Directors Rim Ha and Kyungtae Kim, revealed that none of it was accidental — it was strategic. "In the early 1990s, nobody in the U.S. recognized Korea beyond the Korean War. Today, K-pop and K-dramas are global currency. That didn't happen by chance — it happened because of competitiveness," noted Kyungtae Kim. That competitiveness is baked into an ecosystem of state support, cutting-edge technology, and an industrial approach to talent development.
Roundtable III — Continued
The Architecture of Cultural Export
Participants reflected on the deliberate design behind Korea's cultural export machine. Government investment in digital infrastructure meant that by 2017, over 90% of Koreans had access to fast LTE broadband — creating a nation of always-connected content consumers and creators. "MBC is now one of Google's most active content partners in Korea," Kyungtae noted. This synergy of public infrastructure and private innovation gave K-pop and K-dramas the launchpad to leap across borders via streaming platforms. Korea treated culture as a high-tech product — scaling it just as Silicon Valley scales software.
Rigorous Talent Development
Trainees can spend up to eight years preparing before their debut, accumulating thousands of hours of experience. This discipline behind the glamour ensures a baseline of quality that helps Korean acts stand out globally.
The Studio System Endures
Even as content creation democratizes, studios and networks provide the polish, production values, and marketing reach that individual creators lack. Centralized structures amplify creativity rather than stifle it.
Technology as Cultural Infrastructure
Virtual idols, AI-assisted music production, and immersive LED virtual production sets are opening new frontiers. Technology and human mentorship reinforce each other when done right — ensuring cultural richness is never lost.
Story First, Always
Despite advances in virtual production, "it's all about story," noted film producer David Stybr. Technology opens new canvas for creators, but the economics of quality content and the primacy of human narrative remain unchanged.
Roundtable III — Conclusion
Global Storytelling in a Digital Era
The case of Korea's success sparked optimism that intentional cultural strategy can yield global understanding. At the same time, participants from Europe and the Middle East shared their own regional experiences — how local content gains international traction when it tells authentic stories with universal themes. Advances in real-time translation and subtitling mean a hit Turkish series or a Nigerian music video can quickly find fans across the world. The next cultural phenomenon could emerge from anywhere, thanks to digital platforms.
The AI Creativity Question: As AI begins to generate music and scripts, will it augment human creativity or replace it? The consensus was unambiguous: human creativity — with its imperfections, emotions, and cultural context — cannot and should not be fully automated.
The roundtable concluded on a hopeful, philosophical note: in a hyper-connected era, entertainment holds unique power to bridge divides and foster empathy across borders. By combining innovative tech with respect for cultural nuance and human talent, we can ensure the global village tells stories that enrich — rather than homogenize — our world.
Roundtable IV
Blockchain & AI: The Battle for Decentralized Progress
The Blockchain & AI roundtable convened an eclectic mix of legislators, technologists, economists, and entrepreneurs to tackle a defining question of the digital age: How do we ensure that revolutionary technologies like blockchain and AI serve humanity rather than replace it? Moderated by Kristina Lucrezia Corner and Bartolomeo Poggi, the discussion celebrated the potential of decentralized technologies while confronting the paradoxes they present.
Geopolitics of Digital Money
CBDCs have become instruments of statecraft — counterweights to China's digital yuan and the BRICS monetary bloc. But are they solving financial inclusion, or merely replicating old inequities with new technology?
The Stablecoin Trust Paradox
The Silicon Valley Bank collapse revealed a counterintuitive truth: sometimes transparency creates vulnerability while mystery preserves confidence. Trust is a psychological phenomenon not easily engineered with code alone.
Tokenization of Assets
Anything of value could be owned by anyone, anywhere, in tiny fractions — democratizing wealth. But will this empower or invite speculation? New hybrid models blending old and new systems are needed.
Humanity in the Loop
AI in finance could eliminate bias in lending — but only if training data is carefully curated. Diverse stakeholders must be involved from the outset: ethicists, sociologists, and disability advocates alongside technologists.
Roundtable IV — Deep Dive
Stablecoins, Tokenization & the Future of Trust
The Stablecoin Trust Paradox
The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank provided a real-world stress test. USDC — lauded for transparency and full reserves — temporarily lost its peg, causing panic, while Tether (USDT), often criticized for opaque reserves, gained market trust during the same period. "Sometimes transparency creates vulnerability, while mystery preserves confidence," mused Paolo Tasca, noting the counterintuitive market psychology at play.
The insight wasn't that opacity is good — rather, it was a humbling reminder that trust is a psychological and social phenomenon, not easily engineered with code alone. Scott Page described an "AI-driven index fund for tokenized liquidity" that could automatically spread risk across multiple stablecoins, illustrating how smart algorithms might steady volatile waters.
Tokenization: Democratization or New Risk?
A future where "anything of value can be owned by anyone, anywhere, in tiny fractions" is both thrilling and sobering. Nena Dokuzov shared how Slovenia is exploring tokenized infrastructure projects for international co-investment. A compelling pilot case: land ownership in a developing country tokenized to give villagers collateral for loans — empowering those historically excluded from property rights.
Yet even that raised issues of digital literacy and governance. The collective takeaway was cautiously optimistic: tokenization will march on, but must be accompanied by education, legal reforms, and hybrid models that blend the best of new and old systems.
"If everything becomes liquid, then everything is cash. And if everything is cash, central banks lose visibility and control."
— Paolo Tasca
Roundtable IV — Conclusion
Keeping Humanity in the Loop
Throughout the Blockchain & AI session, a refrain echoed: keep humans in the loop. Whether it was AI algorithms in finance or blockchain governance, participants stressed the need for ethical guardrails and human oversight. Nikhil Vadgama noted that AI in banking could help eliminate bias in lending — but only if training data and objectives are carefully curated to avoid baking in discrimination.
A vivid exchange occurred between a Bitcoin advocate and a central banker — initially at odds, by the end they conceded that each sector has checks and balances the other could learn from. The philosophical crux was crystalline: decentralization is not an end in itself, but a means to human-centric outcomes. If distributing power and data more widely leads to greater freedom, equity, and creativity, it is a path worth pursuing; if it merely creates new concentrations of power, the promise fails.
Global Standards for AI Ethics
Frameworks for international cooperation are urgently needed to ensure AI in finance is transparent, fair, and auditable by independent parties.
International Accords for Blockchain Finance
Digital assets cross borders seamlessly; regulations must do the same. Regulatory sandboxes and open pilot projects are the most pragmatic path forward.
Diverse Stakeholder Design
Involve ethicists, sociologists, and disability advocates in designing fintech AI systems and blockchain platforms from day one — not as afterthoughts.
The final note was one of guarded optimism: with inclusive dialogue and principled action, blockchain and AI can be harnessed to create a more transparent, innovative, and fair global system.
Delegates at the Blockchain & AI roundtable — Venice Biennale, May 2025
Key Themes
Emerging Themes Across the Venice Dialogues
Across all four roundtables, several themes consistently wove through the discussions — revealing a shared vision despite the diversity of topics and participants. Together, they sketch a picture of where global thought leaders see humanity heading.
Inclusion as Imperative
Whether in finance, health, culture, or tech governance, inclusion must be a foundational design principle. True progress is measured not by the sophistication of our innovations, but by how many people benefit from them. Inclusion is not charity — it is smart strategy for sustainable success.
Human-Centered Technology
AI, blockchain, and emerging tech must augment human capabilities rather than replace human judgment. The Venice dialogues were a pushback against tech fatalism: the future is not something that happens to us, but something we actively shape around human needs and values.
Heritage Meets Innovation
Venice itself embodied this theme. Honoring the past's wisdom can guide more holistic innovation. Innovation should not erase legacy — it should update it in service of present and future needs, whether in entertainment, finance, or city design.
Collaboration Across Borders
Many global challenges cannot be solved by one nation or sector alone. The roundtables were microcosms of collaboration: public and private sectors, East and West, tech experts alongside artists. Global Stratalogues demonstrated how cross-border, cross-discipline dialogue generates breakthrough insights.
Intentionality in Policy & Design
Positive change will not come from market forces or technology alone. Korea's cultural success was intentional industrial policy. Inclusive AI demands intentional regulatory tools like AIAIs. Participants asked not just "Can we do this?" but "How should we do this — and why?"
Participant Profiles
Impact Finance Roundtable — Speaker Profiles
The following profiles highlight the key voices who shaped the Impact Finance dialogue at Global Stratalogues Venice. Together they represented the financial institutions, civil society organizations, and entrepreneurial ventures driving the next generation of purpose-driven capital.
Giselle M. Alers
USA · Chairwoman, Global Economic Sustainable Development Commission (GESDC)
A finance and sustainability leader working closely with UN initiatives, Giselle champions the integration of impact metrics into global investment strategies. She moderated the Impact Finance session, guiding discussions on aligning capital with sustainable development. Her leadership ensured the conversation remained grounded in both vision and actionable policy.
Murat Seitnepesov
Switzerland · President, Greater Caspian Association
A global connectivity advocate and founder of the Caspian Week Forum, Murat focuses on linking emerging Eurasian markets with international investors. He highlighted the infrastructure gaps that prevent capital from reaching underserved regions, and proposed practical mechanisms to channel investment into those high-potential economies.
Miroslav Polzer
Austria · Strategic Director, Climate Chain Coalition
A pioneer in using blockchain for climate action, Miro Polzer works on systemic innovation in climate finance. He brought insights into how distributed ledger technology and new economic models can accelerate funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation at a global scale.
Enrico Fiore
Italy · Secretary General, WBAF Ethical Governance Committee
Involved with the World Business Angels Investment Forum, Enrico specializes in standards of excellence and ethical governance in finance. He contributed perspectives on establishing trust and rigorous standards in impact investing, drawing on deep experience with international angel investor networks.
Ilya Churakov
UAE · Founder & CEO, AI World Alliance
A serial entrepreneur in fintech and AI, Ilya leads a Dubai-based fund focused on transformative technologies. He advocated for AI and blockchain innovations that can drive inclusive finance, and championed supporting startups that serve broad societal needs rather than narrow investor interests.
Participant Profiles
Entertainment & Culture Roundtable — Speaker Profiles
Oscar Wendel
Sweden/UAE · Executive Director, GESDC Middle East & Summit Chair
With a background in media and international events, Oscar orchestrated the entertainment roundtable and has been instrumental in global dialogues on culture and innovation. As summit chairman, his vision for cross-disciplinary exchange set the tone for the entire Venice gathering.
Hyungmoon Choi
South Korea · Director, MBC Global Media
A senior executive with over 20 years at MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation), Hyungmoon has led digital strategy and international partnerships for one of Korea's top broadcasters — providing deep insights into how public broadcasters adapted to the digital era and expanded Korean content globally.
Rim Ha
South Korea · Deputy Director & Cinematographer, MBC
Known for high-profile projects including World Cup multimedia and Netflix collaborations, Rim Ha shared perspectives on cutting-edge production techniques and immersive media content that Korean studios are leveraging to captivate global audiences across platforms.
Kyungtae Kim
South Korea · Deputy Director, MBC Global & K-Pop Strategist
A key figure behind MBC's global content strategy and Project K international partnerships, Kyungtae passionately detailed the factors behind K-Pop's worldwide success — from early broadband adoption to rigorous talent development — emphasizing competitiveness and rapid cultural adaptation.
Stewart Bell
UK · Founder, MicroProse UK
A legend of the video game industry, Stewart Bell published iconic titles including Civilization and F1 Grand Prix, and invented the first PC sound card. He offered a historical dimension to the discussion — showing how gaming and technology have always co-evolved, and how today's VR/AR trends echo past innovations he helped pioneer.
Event Photography
Moments from the Entertainment & Culture Roundtable
Additional contributors in this session included creative directors and film/TV producers who enriched the dialogue on immersive media and global audience engagement.
Event Photography
Moments from the Roundtable Sessions
Delegates engaging across sessions at Global Stratalogues Venice, May 16–18, 2025
Participant Profiles
Blockchain & AI Roundtable — Speaker Profiles
Paolo Tasca
Italy · Executive Chairman, Exponential Science & Professor of Economics
A leading expert on blockchain and digital currencies, Dr. Tasca has advised central banks and governments worldwide. He illuminated the roundtable with insights on tokenization and monetary policy, including the double-edged nature of liquidity in a tokenized economy — offering both rigorous academic analysis and hands-on crypto finance experience.
Nikhil Vadgama
UK · Co-Founder & Director, Exponential Science
An AI specialist and educator working on applying artificial intelligence in financial services, Nikhil contributed knowledge on harnessing AI responsibly within blockchain systems. His perspective bridged technical depth with policy, particularly regarding AI governance, bias elimination, and ethics in automated finance.
Kristina Lucrezia Corner
Italy · Strategy & Communications, Exponential Science; former Editor-in-Chief, Cointelegraph
Co-moderator and well-known blockchain thought leader, Kristina brought a journalist's instinct for human stories behind the jargon. She ensured the conversation remained accessible and tied to real-world societal impacts, drawing out the voices of those who rarely speak in technical policy circles.
Bartolomeo Poggi
Italy · Policy Advisor, Blockchain for Europe
An expert in tech regulation and financial innovation, Bartolomeo helped ground futuristic ideas in the practical realities of law and governance. Drawing on European legislative debates, he highlighted the need for international alignment on digital asset policies — ensuring the Venice conversations connected theory to actionable regulatory frameworks.
Nena Dokuzov
Slovenia · Head of Blockchain Policy, Government of Slovenia
Nena leads digital transformation initiatives and represents Slovenia in international blockchain dialogues including at the UN/UNECE. She demonstrated how a small nation can be an innovator — not just a regulator — in the blockchain space, from transparent supply chains to digital identity and tokenized infrastructure.
Dr. Lisa Cameron
UK · Former Member of Parliament & Founder, Digital Assets Parliamentary Group
A pioneering voice in UK politics on fintech and crypto assets, Dr. Cameron established the Digital Assets All-Party Parliamentary Group. In the roundtable she represented public accountability — urging that inclusion and consumer protection remain front and center even amid the powerful push for financial innovation and decentralization.
Acknowledgments
With Gratitude: Those Who Made Venice Possible
The Global Stratalogues team extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made the Venice roundtable series impactful, memorable, and meaningful. This gathering was a collective achievement — and a testament to what becomes possible when institutions, governments, and individuals come together with a shared purpose.
01
Host & Venue
The Ministry of Culture of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its Architecture and Design Commission generously hosted the delegation at the Saudi Pavilion in the Biennale Architettura. The Pavilion's exhibition — showcasing the fusion of heritage and innovation in Najdi architecture — provided an ideal setting that enriched every discussion.
02
Event Partners
Venice Tech Hub and other local partners facilitated logistics and outreach with seamless professionalism, ensuring our international participants felt at home in the Floating City. Their behind-the-scenes dedication was indispensable to the forum's success.
03
Global Stratalogues Leadership
Special thanks to Oscar Wendel, whose vision and dedication were instrumental in convening this diverse group of minds. We also thank Giselle M. Alers for her leadership in shaping the agenda and steering key conversations. Their collaborative leadership embodied the very principles of the event.
04
Moderators & Facilitators
Gratitude to Giselle Alers, Oscar Wendel, Jacqueline Winstanley, Dr. Kristina L. Corner, and Bartolomeo Poggi, who expertly guided discussions with empathy and expertise — ensuring every voice was heard and every session produced actionable insights.
05
Distinguished Speakers & Participants
A sincere thank you to all speakers, panelists, and delegates who traveled from around the world to share their knowledge and passion. The diversity of perspectives — from former ministers and CEOs to academics and artists — made the dialogue truly global and interdisciplinary.
06
Contributors to Policy Outcomes
We acknowledge Dr. Rukiya Deetjen-Ruiz of Zayed University, whose scholarly collaboration on AI and Accessibility provided intellectual backbone to key discussions. We also thank GESDC and Global Blockchain Business Council members who are translating Venice insights into guidance for decision-makers worldwide.
Participant Profile
Scott Page: Where Art, Technology & Vision Converge
Scott Page
USA · Web3 Entrepreneur & Musician (Pink Floyd)
Though primarily known as a legendary saxophonist, Scott Page is deeply involved in Web3 technology and startups. His dual identity as a celebrated artist and frontier technologist made him one of the most distinctive — and memorable — voices at the Venice gathering.
Scott injected entrepreneurial energy and creative vision into the Blockchain & AI session, advocating for decentralized platforms and imaginative uses of AI in finance. He shared visionary ideas like AI-managed liquidity pools to stabilize crypto markets, and consistently reminded the table of the end-user — the everyday person — who should gain from these innovations.
His proposal for an "AI-driven index fund for tokenized liquidity" that automatically diversifies across stablecoins illustrated how technology, when thoughtfully designed, can act as a stabilizing force in volatile markets.
Rooftop Concert on the Highest Terrace in Venice
A special nod to Scott Page and Marco Furio Forieri for the unforgettable rooftop jazz performance that closed the event. Performing above the Venetian skyline, the music embodied the spirit of Global Stratalogues — fusing different genres and generations, leaving participants with a resonant reminder of why cultural experiences matter profoundly in policy discourse.
Together, the participant profiles showcase a tapestry of expertise spanning continents, sectors, and generations. Each brought a piece of the puzzle — and only by integrating these perspectives can we approach the complex challenges of our modern world.
Host Partnership
Hosted by the Saudi Ministry of Culture at Venice Biennale
Global Stratalogues was prominently hosted by the Saudi Pavilion at the Venice Biennale Architettura, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Culture — underscoring the Kingdom's growing role in shaping global cultural and architectural discourse. The Pavilion's exhibition showcasing Najdi architectural heritage served as a powerful symbol: tradition and ambition in seamless dialogue.
The collaboration positioned Global Stratalogues at the intersection of architecture, policy, and strategic infrastructure — demonstrating how the built environment can act as a catalyst for broader socio-economic transformation. Through curated high-level dialogues convened within the Pavilion, the initiative advanced critical conversations on sustainability, urban futures, and cultural diplomacy.
The partnership reinforced the Saudi Ministry of Culture's vision of culture as a strategic instrument for global engagement and long-term impact. Hosted within one of the world's most prestigious architectural forums, the dialogue highlighted Saudi Arabia's commitment to engaging international audiences through thoughtful, future-oriented cultural platforms.
The Saudi Pavilion's exhibition on Najdi architecture — exploring the convergence of heritage and innovation in built form — provided a resonant metaphor for the summit's broader themes of tradition meeting transformation.
Closing Event
Rooftop Concert on the Highest Terrace in Venice
The finale of the event echoed the summit's spirit in a moment of pure resonance: a rooftop concert by Scott Page, legendary saxophonist of Pink Floyd, joined by Venice's own Marco Forieri. Performing on the rooftop of Palazzo Pisani, overlooking the breathtaking Venetian skyline, Page returned to the city for the first time since the mythic Pink Floyd floating concert of 1989 — performed in front of 300,000 spectators on St. Mark's Square.
This time it was an intimate audience of 40 — yet no less extraordinary. Scott improvised a fusion of jazz, rock, and local folk music, closing the circle between legacy and reinvention. It was a sonic metaphor for the discussions unfolding below: honoring the past while composing the future, bridging disciplines and generations, finding harmony amid complexity.
Global Stratalogues Venice Edition · Palazzo Pisani · May 16–18, 2025
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