Guest speech of H.E. Dr. Wilfried Luetkenhorst

UNIDO Managing Director on global mega-trends affecting industrial development

As a follow-up to previous study visits to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) at the Vienna International Centre, Dr. Wilfried Luetkenhorst, Head of the Strategic Research, Quality Assurance and Advocacy Division of the Organization, visited the IMC on 15 April 2001 to deliver a speech on global trends that impact industrial development and power shifts around the globe.

Director Luetkenhorst opened his speech by pointing to the economic power shift the world is experiencing starting from an historic perspective. As much as the 19th century was dominated by England and the 20th century by the USA, the 21st century will see the rise of China. In other words, he stated that as much as the 19th century was European and the 20th century was American, the decades to come will be Asian. The centre of gravity is seen as shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the West to the East. Mr. Luetkenhorst continued by pointing on the rise of the so-called emerging economies (BRIC countries, South Africa, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Mexico) as major global players, both economically and politically. Statistics on production, export, energy consumption or even foreign currency reserves reveal clearly that the fastest growth is taking place outside the OECD. However, he reminded the students of the dark side of the success story of these countries: more than 70% of the poor live in middle-income countries.

Another mega trend affecting industrial development mentioned in the speech refers to population growth, which is primarily taking place in developing countries. With rising populations, those countries experience heavy migration to urban areas and rising pressure on natural resources, which cause military and civil conflicts. Finally, Mr. Luetkenhorst referred to climate change and organized crime as other key factors which heavily impact economic growth and industrial development globally. Concluding his speech, Mr. Luetkenhorst provided a short overview of the UN system and UNIDO’s core functions and mandate.

Professor Anis Bajrektarevic, chair and host of this event, used this opportunity to inform the students about internship possibilities at UNIDO. Dr. Luetkenhorst explained that the internship programme has a duration of minimum three and maximum six months and is, at this moment, still unpaid. In order to be eligible for the programme, students need to be at an advanced state of their studies and formally apply online at www.unido.org/index.php?id=o82311.

The final part of the session was reserved for questions by the audience. Amongst others, students were interested to learn more about the importance of factoring in inflation into a country’s GDP growth calculations, industrial development and innovation in African countries, and UNIDO’s involvement in WTO negotiations. With a view to giving the audience an idea of how the presented trends and subjects translate into on-the-ground technical assistance, Ms. Boesenhofer (IMC graduate, currently consultant for UNIDO’s Clusters and Business Linkages Unit) presented one project experience targeting the automotive component supply chain in South Africa and current initiatives in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Subsequent to the formal speech and the exchange session, students embraced the opportunity to informally ask specific questions about UNIDO’s work and explore options to write diploma theses on subjects that are of interest to the Organization. Dr. Luetkenhorst expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to interact with IMC students and lecturers in a stimulating atmosphere, and for the keen interest of the university in international development issues. To learn more about the UNIDO’s functions and thematic priorities, please visit the following website: www.unido.org

This was the 88th event organized by the Chair for International law & Global Political Studies (and 27th OUN- related). The next in-house event will take place on 12th of May, when professor Bajrektarevic is hosting H.E. Cardinal Prof. Dr. Christoph Schönborn, President of the Austrian Bishop's Conference in highly topical discussion on “Morality, Spirituality – the human dimension of sustainability”.

Text: M.B. (rev. A.B.)
Photos: Katrin F.