Guest speech of the Ambassador of the Austria; H.E Dr. Wolfgang Petritsch

At the occasion of the Austria’s EU presidency (first semester 2006), the IMC Export Department (under the auspices of Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies) invited the Austrian Ambassador accredited to the WTO and other Geneva-based IGOs for a guest lecture. H.E. Amb. Dr. Wolfgang Petritsch paid a visit to the IMC and delivered a lecture on 12th October, followed by nearly two hour talks with students and small reception.

The IMC fellow professors and students had the great opportunity to gain an insights on the WTO negotiations state of affairs in the WTO, status of Doha Development Round, Austria’s role during the presidency, art of multilateral diplomacy as well as to hear thoughtful and inspiring answers on series of their questions (including the complexities of multilateral negotiations of major trading blocks (US and EU), linking trade and development, etc.).

Extraordinarily eloquent, senior career diplomat, Dr. Petritsch joined the Foreign Ministry over twenty years ago. Serving at different posts that Paris and New York, SEE. H.E. Petritsch obtaining several top capacities including the EU-Special Envoy and Chief Negotiator (Kosovo), Intl. Community’s High Representative (BiH). From 1977 to 1983, Dr. Petritsch has served as a Press Secretary and Chief of Cabinet to the Austrian Federal Chancellor Bruno Kreisky. Prolific author of several books, Excellency PETRITSCH holds the PhD in Human sciences from prestigious Austrian and the US universities.

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with Mr. Heinz Boyer, the IMC Founderer and General-Manager and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the event, Excellency Petritsch stated that he was very much impressed by huge interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and discussion with them as well as with the overall achievements of our young institution, and promised to return to our University in a due time again.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic

Student visit to the Headquarters of OSCE in Vienna

On October 12, the Export and exchange/Sokrates students of 5th semester paid a visit to the HQ of OSCE (Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe) in Vienna (under the auspices of Chair for Intl. Law and Global Political Studies). The excellently prepared (by Mr. Alexandar Nitzsche) day-long visit was composed of introductory lecture on the OSCE 3-pillar structure, FOs activities and programs (particularly within the Economic and Environmental dimension) given by eloquent Senior officials Ms. Susanna Lööf, Ms. Elli Kytomaki, Ms. Heidi Smith, Ms. Alice Ackermann and Mr. Kilian Strauss.

During the 90-minutes tour-de-table session, the IMC fellow students learned about the practical implication of the OSCE work, programs, possible research partnerships and internships with the FOR A as well as to hear thoughtful and inspiring answers on series of their questions.

Summing up at the end of this content-intensive and extremely valuable event, the OSCE officials stated that they were impressed by interest, commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated throughout the questions and discussion with official, and expressed the appreciation that such visits of our students are regularized (since 2005).

This study visit serves as an excellent pre-text to the forthcoming guest speech of the Spanish Ambassador at the occasion of Spain’s OSCE Chairmanship in 2007.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic