Kiel Institute for the World Economy

Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Science Economics and Transport

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Searching for Global Solutions:
Kiel Institute for the World Economy and the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Economics launch the First Global Economic Symposium at Plön Castle

From September 3rd to the 5th, Plön Castle will be transformed into an international workshop: approximately 300 prominent experts from politics, business, academia, and civil society will convene at the first “Global Economic Symposium” (GES) to find solutions to the most pressing global problems facing the world today. Numerous creative, renowned personalities from the field of economics have already expressed their desire to participate in this unique economic-workshop experience, including the Nobel Prize Laureate for Economics, George Akerlof, former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt, EU Economic Affairs Commissioner Joaquin Almunia, and Chief Economist from Goldman Sachs, Jan Hatzius. The GES goal is to create shared vi-sions of a global future and draft innovative policies and business strategies to achieve these visions. Organizers of the GES are the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Science, Economics and Transport, working together with their partner Wintershall Holding AG.

Schleswig-Holsteins Science and Economics Minister Dietrich Austermann explained that what sets the GES apart from the plethora of world wide forums dealing with global problems is that, “…with the GES, we are initiating a platform for debate that is dedicated to the development of concrete answers to the challenges facing the world today.” Austermann continues, “In today’s society, citizens are filled with scepticism towards political and economic developments. In dealing with current social, political, and economic problems, the GES makes it clear to the general public that we are lis-tening to them and finding solutions.”

Austermann’s stance is reflected in the central themes of the Symposium, which are derived from the main challenges facing the world today and in the future. “With the initiation of the GES, Schleswig-Holstein is declaring its readiness to become a na-tional leader in the debate of pivotal future issues and emphasizes its position as a scientific state,” Austermann concludes.

The Institute’s President, Dennis Snower emphasized: “In a world where individual countries have increasing problems dealing with arising global challenges, unified vi-sions of the future can contribute to mutual understanding among countries, leading the way for innovative, global solutions to these challenges. The GES is embarking down a new path with its action-oriented approach, backed by state-of-the-art re-search integrated into every aspect of the conference.” The central aspect of the GES is “What is to be done?” Participants will, in teams, revise and formulate policies and business strategies that provide answers to the challenges of globalization. The teams are supported by innovative research, virtual libraries, and other virtual platforms made available. “The GES is not only about the creative approach to solving challenges during the Symposium,” Snower continues, “the Virtual GES Internet Platform allows participants to work on innovative solutions to global problems beyond the actual event in September.”

The annual Global Economic Symposium will deal with a broad spectrum of global themes. Each year, two “Focal Challenges” are defined, and will be supplemented through “Essential Issues,” which deal with acute and chronic problems facing the world economy. The topics will vary yearly.

2008 Focal Challenges:

• Dealing with Climate Change
• Reconstructing Welfare Systems

2008 Essential Issues:

• Creating and Disseminating Knowledge
• Creating Security
• Spreading the Benefits of Globalization
• Tackling Inequality
• Promoting Social Cohesion
• Promoting Health

Event Information:

The Global Economic Symposium is an annual event

Event Date 2008: September 3–5
Location: Plön Castle, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Participants: A select group of about 300 representatives from politics, business, aca-demia, and civil society

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