Student visit to the National Parliament of Austria and to the Rep. of EC and EP in Vienna

Yesterday, on 30th of March 2006, the Export students of 6th semester (accompanied with several Exchange and VIII semester students) paid a visit to the National Parliament of Austria followed by visit to the Representation of European Commission to Austria and Information Office of the European Parliament in Vienna (under the auspices of Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies).To observe the work of Parliament (National Council) was a unique opportunity, especially since our students witnessed some of the highlights of yesterday session with the expose of Dr. Caspar Einem (former Minister of Interior) and Dr. Martin Bartenstein, serving Economy Minister (both of them were speakers previously invited to the IMC).

Second part of yesterday’s study visit started with the presentation on the EP, its mandate, scope and future perspective – part taken over by the Deputy Head of Information Office of the EP, Mr. Wolfang Hiller, and followed by presentation on the work of Representation of EC in Austria given by Ms. Olivia Divjak, EC Rep. official (2004 IMC EXP graduate).

This well-prepared 90-minutes event was concluded with the tour-de-house, which our students used to check the library of EC/EP representation and collect useful literature (besides many brochures and leaflets dispatched by organizers during the lecture).

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event, both Mr. Karl Doutlik (Head of Representation) and Mr. Michael Reinprecht (Head of IB of the EP) stated that they were impressed by interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and discussion with the EC/EP representatives, and expressed the wish to continue such visits (that started last year) as by addressing forthcoming generations with the EU-related issues.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic

Guest Lecture of H.E. US Prof. Randall Palmer

As already regionally well-established place of visits and guest-lectures of prominent experts and top-diplomats from all over the world, the IMC University additionally keeps up on inviting the researchers and authors of best-selling scientific books. After having a pleasure to host the US Senior Vice President of Biotech North Caroline Center (nearly two years ago), the IMC invited under the auspices of the Export Studies Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies, Prof. Randall Balmer of Barnard College of the Columbia University for a guest lecture on the Role of Religion in American Politics.

The IMC Baroque hall turned to be too small to lodge all of our fellows students and professors. It was an excellent opportunity to get the first-hand insights over the relations between religion and politics and their visible or invisible interplays; formal constitutional aspects and state-of-art daily outcomes; other, religious-related side of political parties activities as well as the roots and specifics of religious affiliations in American society. Extraordinary eloquent and inspiring lecture of Prof. Balmer was followed by tour-de-table with many interesting questions asked by audience. Formal part of lecture was not the end of talks; the IMC Cocktail reception in honor of distinguished guest was the opportunity for our students to have nearly an hour long additional, rather informal and frank conversation with Professor Balmer.

Prolific author of many books, TV documentaries and articles in nearly every of the influential US journals and newspapers, Prof. Balmer has an extraordinarily reach academic record and career; besides teaching at his main university he was/is teaching at many including such a prestigious universities as the Yale and Princeton are. Historian by background, prof. Balmer holds high degrees from the Columbia and Princeton (PhD) University. He is currently finalizing book on a history of religion in North America (for Oxford University Press), and many experts assume that this writings will be a huge best-seller in the US this summer.

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with the IMC EXP Program Director Prof. Ernst FIETZ and Prof. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the guest-lecture event, prof. Balmer stated that he was impressed by ambitions, vision and enthusiasm of the IMC faculty members as well as by huge interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and long discussion with him, and promised to return to our University in a due time again.

Special thanks and tribute goes to Ms. Katherine M. Perez, the US Embassy PD Officer, Ms. Roswitha Haller, Senior Embassy staff member and Ms. Alice M. Burton, Cultural Affairs Specialist, who make this event happening and were accompanying professor Balmer.

It was the second (out of three) events prepared in cooperation with the US Embassy (Amerika Haus) to which we all are very grateful. The Pulitzer award winner, prof. Rakove is our next guest-speaker sheduled for 10 May 06.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic

Guest Speech of the Ambassador of Great Britain; H.E. Mr. John Malcolm MacGregor

At the occasion of the second-2006 semester EU presidency that was held by the UK, the IMC Export Department (under the auspices of Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies) invited the British Ambassador accredited to Austria for the second time (Ambassador’s first visit was prior to the Presidency, last June) for a de-briefing lecture. H.E. Amb. Mr. John Malcolm MACGREGOR, Resident Ambassador of Great Britain to the Republic of Austria paid a visit to IMC and delivered a debriefing lecture on 14th March, followed by nearly two hour talks with students and small reception. The IMC fellow professors and students had the great opportunity to hear the first-sight reflections on the United Kingdom’s presidency, collaboration with Austria as being part of troika as well as to hear thoughtful and inspiring answers on series of their questions (Budget, Constitution, Labor-mobility, issue of Turkish accession, Ukraine, foreign policy and security issues, EU – China and Hong Kong DDR summits, etc.).

Extraordinarily eloquent diplomat of impressive career, Mr. Macgregor joined the Foreign Office over thirty years ago. Serving at different posts that include New Delhi, Prague, Paris and Germany, H.E. Macgregor obtaining several top capacities within the Foreign office too (Secretary to Minister of State, Principal Speechwriter to Foreign Minister and Director). Prior to his appointment to Austria (May 2003), H.E. Macgregor had his first ambassadorial appointment to Poland (1998). Excellency Macgregor holds the fine art and human science degrees from prestigious UK universities (Oxford and Birmingham).

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with Mr. Ernst FIETZ, the IMC EXP Study Director and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the event, Excellency Macgregor stated that he again (for the second time) very much impressed by huge interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and discussion with him, and promised to remain in touch with Faculty including widening cooperation with the relevant UK entities.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic