Student visit to the UN office and UNIDO in Vienna

For the fourth consecutive year the IMC Export students have paid a visit to the UN Office Vienna (30th October), under the auspices of the Chair for International, Legal and Global Political Studies. The first part of visit was composed of introductory lecture on the UN in general and followed by the documentary movie and two standing UN exhibitions. The second, more substantive part of visit was on mandate role and activities of UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The UNIDO hosts, Mr. Kerry Timmis, Ms. Manuela Bösenhofer (the EXP graduate of 2004) and Ms. Alexandra Wogritsch (EXP 7th sem student), warmly welcomed the students and their Chair Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic and gave an excellent overview of UNIDO’s global activities.

Senior UNIDO official Mr. Timmis presented the 8 Millenium Development Goals, UNIDO’s Business Plan, its budget and the Organization’s focus on micro, small and medium sized agro-industries in the least developed countries. Ms. Bösenhofer, herself an IMC alumna and now committing herself full time for Corporate Social Responsibility at the UNIDO, emphasized the difference in CSR and Philanthropy and the importance of CSR in today’s small and medium-sized enterprises. Ms. Wogritsch, an IMC student doing her second internship at the UNIDO, excellently presented UNIDO’s current project with Microsoft and was the students’ distinguished source for information on internships at the UN. Throughout the presentations, Export students questioned and reflected on issues like UNIDO’s historical development, fundraising modalities, CSR and the importance of the UNIDO in today’s world.

Mr. Timmis stated he was very impressed by the student’s interest and knowledge as demonstrated throughout vivid discussions and complimented the students commitment as well as the long-lasting cooperation between the UNIDO and the IMC Export Department. Mr. Timmis looks forward to future cooperation with the IMC and more highly committed Export trainees.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic

Guest Speech of the Ambassador of the USA; H.E. Gregory Schulte

As a continuation of excellent cooperation with the Amerika Haus (distinguished authors; prof. Burke, prof. Balmer, prof. Rakove) and the US Embassy Vienna (the US Secretary Chao and Ambassador Ms. Susan Mc Caw visit), the IMC Export Department, under the auspices of the Chair for International, Legal and Global Political Studies, was inviting the Chief of the US Mission to the UN Vienna and IAEA, Ambassador Gregory Schulte for a visit and guest lecture on 22nd October 2007. The Ambassador gave an excellent overview on the currents in the US Security Policy, role and current activities of the Atomic Energy Agency, as well as the US positions in major Vienna-based UN entities (such as IAEA, ODC, UNITRAL, OOSA, CTBTO, etc.). His presentation was followed by long discussions with students and professors, and by a small cocktail reception.

Ambassador Schulte remarks offered the IMC Export Fellows a unique opportunity to gain insights into the trans-Atlantic security ties and its recent political dynamics. Answering the students’ questions, H.E. Schulte shared the US policy views on issues like: Middle East, Central-Eastern Europe (Poland and Check Republic), security cooperation with Russia, nuclear issue of Iran and North Korea consequently role and outcome of Three- (Iran) and Six-party (Korea) talks, and other security related issues, as well as reflecting upon his work the US National Security Council.

An extraordinarily open and vivid personality and top diplomat, Ambassador Schulte built up a reputable career working in the cabinet of the US Secretary of Defence, the Director for Nuclear Planning (assisting in the restructuring of NATO’s nuclear weapons posture after the Cold war) – the NATO HQ, and several other posts related to Strategic Forces Policy and to a deployment of NATO troops in SEE.

Before coming to Vienna in summer 2005, Mr. Schulte served as Executive Secretary of the National Security Council (responsible to the State Secretary Dr. Condoleezza Rice for overseeing the NSC Staff and the national security decision-making process), and the White House Situation Room. Besides his Mission capacity, Amb. Schulte is a acting as a governor with the IAEA’s Board of Governors. H.E. holds the high graduate and post-graduate degrees in Political Sciences from the prestigious Berkley (1980) and the Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School (1983).

Summing up after the half-day visit to Krems (in which Ambassador’s wife Nancy accompanied him), content-intensive speech to and talks with fellow students and professors with Ms. Eva Werner, IMC Vice-Rector, Mr. Ernst Fietz , the EXP Program Director, and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the event, Ambassador Schulte stated that he has been very impressed by our faculty’s continued interest in the US/trans-Atlantic affairs. The Ambassador also complimented the commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated in the questions and discussion with him as well as with our lasting cooperation with the US Mission and Embassy. Ambassador expressed his willingness to host Export fellows in his Mission as well as to return to our university soon again.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic

Student visit to the Headquarters of OSCE in Vienna

On October 11, 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 Ms. Susanna Lööf and Mr. Mikhail Evstfiev) 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 Mr. Miklos Haraszti (Freedom of Media), Ms. Maria Brandstetter (Politico-Military Dimension), Mr. Kilian Strauss (EEA) and Ms. Veronika Scherk-Arsenio (OSCE FM).

During the 90-minutes tour-de-table session, the IMC fellow students had a possibility to learn about the practical implication of the OSCE work, programs, possible research partnerships and internships with the FORA 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 officials, and expressed the appreciation that such visits of our students are regularized (since 2005).

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic