As a continuation of the Guest Lecture Ambassador series the IMC Export Department and at the occasion of the recent Mid-term elections in the US, Prof. Bajrektarevic invited H.E. William C. Eacho III, the US Ambassador to Austria to hold a guest lecture on 19th November 2010.
Chairman Bajrektarevic warmly welcomed the ambassador by introducing His Excellency and by emphasizing the high number events co-organized with the Amerika Haus (such as the lecture of the US Secretary E. Chao, of Pulitzer awarded author and professor Rakove, visit of Ambassador McCaw, etc.).
H.E. William C. Eacho III, who has taken over the position as US Ambassador to Austria in August 2009, started his highly-interesting speech with emphasizing US trans-Atlantic relations. His Excellency underlined the strong relationship with the EU and emphasized its high importance as a trading partner for the US. Additionally he indicated that US and European interest converge in respect to stopping terrorism and he therefore pointed up the importance of exchanging data in order to chase criminals and terrorists efficiently.
The Ambassador gave an overview of President Obama’s agenda in foreign policy for the first two years of the Obama administration. Ranging from ending wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, threats to human rights in Iran, Al-Qaeda threats all over the world etc.
His Excellency marked President Obamas’ efforts concerning climate change and other environmental issues. Moreover he emphasized the importance of not only developed countries working together, but also including and focusing on cooperation with the developing world in order to achieve goals.
Another topic on the agenda of the highly absorbing guest lecture were the recently conducted mid-term elections in the US. The Ambassador stated that the outcome of the elections could have a positive impact for the president. The divided government may achieve better results as compromises have to be sought.
As a conclusion His Excellency underlined the high importance for students to take the opportunity to go to the US for an exchange or practical training semester in order to gain the ability to adapt to different cultures as businesses today have no borders.
The official part of the Ambassador’s visit was closed with a small cocktail and family photo. In a rather relaxed and atmospheric setting, IMC students had the opportunity to discuss with the Excellency for additional half an hour. This Guest Lecture was the 82th event organized under the auspices of the Chairman Prof. Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic.
The next in-house event will take place on 6th December 2010 when Prof. Bajrektarevic is hosting H.E. Mr. Uzcátegui Duque, Ambassador of Venezuela to Austria & Vienna-based IOs.
Text: Martina P.
The speech of H.E. William C. Eacho III can be found here.
The biography of H.E. William C. Eacho III can be found here.
19 Nov 2010
Guest speech: Ambassador of the United States of America, H.E. William C. Eacho III
30 Apr 2010
Student visit: Representation of the European Commission and European Parliament in Vienna
On April 30, 2010 the yearly visit to the to the Austrian Representation of the European Commission and European Parliament located in Vienna was paid within the framework of the 6th semester Bachelor degree course International Strategies and Relations under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic, Chairman for International Law & Global Political studies. The representative team of the European Commision and European Parliament functions as a link between local individuals and organizations and Brussel-based insitutions and persues the objective of achieving a greater responsiveness and proximity to Austrian citizens.
The visit was intiated with an informative presentation on the scope of work of the EU legislative institutions. A focal point was set on the influence of national politics on the decison and law making process conducted by the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
The introduction was followed by the presentation of Ms. Ania Foszczynski who is working as a functionary to the European Commission who provided insight into the main tasks and objectives of the EU 2020 strategy. It was pointed out that the EU was striving for innovation and investment into R&D in order to increase its competitiveness in the international arena and achieve sustainability by persueing its energy targets. Subsequently the strategy was critically reviewed in terms of measures to decrease poverty by promoting employment and university formation and compared to the Lisbon strategy.
The event permitted active contribution from visitor side and was met with great interest and enthusiams by IMC Export-, as well as, incoming students who used the opportunity to advance their opinons and vividly joined discussions on recent EU challenges such as Greece’s budget deficit and the growing EU concerncs over the ever deteriorating debt ratios in Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Furthermore, the issue of the future development of the European Union was raised during the question and answer sessions following the speeches. The presenters emphasized that the financial health of all EU nations are a prerequisite for the functioning and future expansion of the supranatioal organization. They further stated that an intensified notion of renationalization is to be expected among member countries and compromises in terms of centrality is highly likely to become a crucial issue for the successful cooperation among the single nation states.
The final part took place within a more informal environment with coffee provided by the House of the European Union and was equally reserved for students’ questions.
Text: Marlene K.
Photos: Marijana A.
A presentation about the European Commission can be found here.
A presentation about the European Parliament can be found here.
17 Mar 2010
23 Feb 2010
Guest speech: Ambassador of Denmark, H.E. Mr. Hugo Østergaard-Andersen
At the occasion of the recent Copenhagen summit and the current Danish Nordic Council Presidency, Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic invited Danish ambassador Mr. Hugo Østergaard-Andersen as a guest lecturer for the Export Study program’s Chair for International Law and Global Political Studies. Mr. Østergaard-Andersen.
The speech about Denmark and the Nordic Co-Operation filled the Baroque hall with students, who eagerly followed his words about the Nordic countries, their common history and especially about the autonomous areas Greenland, Åland and the Faroe Islands. Further Mr. Østergaard-Andersen elaborated on the beginnings of the Nordic Co-Operation, its institutions, conjointly achieved accomplishments but also what will have to be worked on in the future.
In the subsequent Q/A session, the IMC students had the chance to get a personal and frank answer to their individual topics of interest. Most attention was given to the issues of Greenland and its planned independency from Denmark, the matter of the division of the Arctic Sea and the expected claims of the Arctic 5 and the very actual topic of the Climate Change Summit in Copenhagen, its outcome, the ideas of renewable energy and the expectations of the upcoming Climate Change summit in Mexico.
After 90 minutes of comprehensive information exchange, the students were able to talk to Mr. Østergaard-Andersen at a small get-together cocktail-reception.
The guest lecture of Mr. Østergaard-Andersen was the first major event in the summer semester of 2010, the next, 75th event is from the Presidency series when we are hosting H.E. Jose Maria PONS IRAZAZABAL, Spanish Ambassador to Austria.
End of text
Text: Sarah J. (rev. A.B.)
Photo: Jacqueline B. & H. Maglock
The presentation of H.E. Mr. Hugo Østergaard-Andersen can be found here.