Mathew Davies from Monmouth was invited by Michele Turati, project manager for the World Trade Centre in Brescia, to deliver a speech on the economic crisis.

Mathew is a programme councillor for the economic forum of young leaders, the largest of its kind in Europe.

The event was funded by, and held at, the university of Brescia and was part of the European talks series.

The financial crisis mutated into a sovereign debt crisis and has now become a political crisis. This can be seen in Greece with the neo nazi group Golden Dawn polling seven per cent and the country edging one step closer to default.

If Greece defaults and leaves the eurozone Spain will be badly hit and contagion could spread beyond the eurozone and considerably affect the UK.

As a programme councillor Mathew has interviewed statesmen throughout the European Union and beyond including the former Prime Minister of Finland, Esko Aho and the Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia among others.

He is currently working on a publication which will address the crisis.

In his speech he argued that "we must prioritise jobs and growth rather than cuts and austerity.

"With the rise in unemployment and the rolling back of job security, the ancient beast ultra nationalism is rearing its ugly head across Europe.

"What will help counter the economic and political challenge is the completion of the single market.

"This will create jobs especially in services such as health care and e commerce. In the post financial crisis world, however, the question we need to ask is how our financial system can mutate into an innovative, productive, responsible and sustainable sector?"

This is the second time Mathew has been invited to Brescia, a picturesque city with a thriving industrial sector.

He was invited to write an article last year for the book called key to Europe. He has been asked to do the same for 2012.

Michele Turati said: "Mathew's ideals and prescriptions are interesting. Though I dont agree with the set of priorities proposed.

"I have invited Mathew to lead a European project aimed at researching different styles of capitalism in Europe over the next four years.

"I have also been invited to Monmouthshire which I will visit. As young Europeans it is important that people who work in finance learn from other parts of Europe, I look forward to doing that."