Events 2007
Unternehmensverantwortung – Wozu?
What’s the point of CSR?
Institute for Corporate Culture Affairs
This event marked the launch of the world’s first Dictionary of Corporate Social Responsibility – The A to Z of CSR. ICCA together with the German-British community was delighted to invite those interested to a get together before Christmas to discuss this year’s most important topics in the areas of CSR, Corporate Culture and Citizenship.
Date: 5 December
'creating sustainable growth in europe'
Public policy speech by Jim Murphy MP, Minister for Europe,
followed by a panel discussion and open debate at the London Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London
The AGF research initiative aimed to bridge research and policymaking as well as to foster policy learning and the exchange of best practice between Britain and Germany. A key element of the initiative was the engagement of a broad pool of stakeholders. Through this policy debate in London the researchers entered into public dialogue with the policy community and the academic world. The participants were invited to join in this dialogue with the researchers in order to feed back their views as practitioners on the questions posed, and to discuss the first findings.
Date: 5 December
'creating sustainable growth in europe' >>> Open Research Conference
The AGF research initiative aimed to bridge research and policymaking as well as to foster policy learning and the exchange of best practice between Britain and Germany. A key element of the initiative was the engagement of a broad pool of stakeholders. Through this policy debate in Berlin the researchers entered into public dialogue with the policy community and the academic world. The participants were invited to join in this dialogue with the researchers in order to feed back their views as practitioners on the questions posed, and to discuss the first findings.
Date: 30 November
'creating sustainable growth in europe' >>> Public policy speech by Andreas Troge (Bundesumweltamt) followed by a panel discussion and open debate at the Auswärtiges Amt in Berlin
The AGF research initiative aimed to bridge research and policymaking as well as to foster policy learning and the exchange of best practice between Britain and Germany. A key element of the initiative was the engagement of a broad pool of stakeholders. Through this policy debate in Berlin the researchers entered into public dialogue with the policy community and the academic world. The participants were invited to join in this dialogue with the researchers in order to feed back their views as practitioners on the questions posed, and to discuss the first findings.
Date: 29 November
Geschlechtergerechtigkeit und Arbeitsbelastung:
Überraschende Evidenz von Zeitverwendungserhebungen
Berlin Lunchtime Meeting
REFERENT: Prof. Michael C. Burda, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
MODERATOR: Dr. Hilmar Schneider, IZA, Bonn
Zeitverwendungsdaten aus 27 Ländern lassen Interessantes über die Geschlechterverteilung der Gesamtarbeitszeit – die Summe aus Markt- und unentgeltlicher Haushaltsarbeit – schließen. In reichen, nicht-katholischen Ländern auf vier Kontinenten leisten Frauen und Männer im Mittelwert die gleiche Arbeitszeit – gemessen an Minuten am Tag. Dieser Fakt – der unter Soziologen bekannt aber unerklärt ist – ist frappierend, vor allem im Hinblick auf die große Varianz der individuell geleisteten Gesamtarbeitszeit. Ferner hängt die Geschlechterungleichheit der Arbeitsverteilung im internationalen Vergleich negativ mit der wirtschaftlichen Entwicklung zusammen – in den ärmsten Ländern arbeiten Frauen erheblich mehr als Männer. Detaillierte Daten aus Deutschland und den USA belegen, dass die Gleichheit der Arbeitsbelastung nicht am Ehe- bzw. Familienstand liegt, denn diese Faktoren erklären nur einen geringen Anteil der beträchtlichen Variation der Arbeitszeit innerhalb von Haushalten. Eine Theorie der sozialen Normen, deren Kraft mit steigendem Wohlstand zunimmt, erscheint eher geeignet, diese überraschende Regelmäßigkeit zu erklären.
Date: 1 November
Management Practices & Productivity: Why They Matter >>>Seminar
SPEAKERS: Stephanie Flanders, Economics Editor, BBC Newsnight; John Dowdy Director, McKinsey & Company; John Van Reenen, Director, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE
CHAIR: Dominic Casserley, Managing Partner, UK & Ireland, McKinsey & Company
This seminar presented the findings of the latest phase of the joint AGF/McKinsey/LSE research into management practices among industrials - now extended to more than 3,500 manufacturers in over 10 countries (including the UK, USA, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, India and Japan). Latest analyses were presented and discussed.
Date: 12 July
The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth >>>
Lecture and Discussion
SPEAKER: Benjamin M. Friedman, Professor of Political Economy at Harvard University (in cooperation with the Heinrich-Böll Foundation
Economic growth goes beyond the idea of an increase in income; it can lead to the creation of a more open, democratic and environmentally friendly society. This is the conclusion of Benjamin Friedman’s investigations into economic history in his book "The Moral Consequences of Economic Growth". He shows how even in wealthy societies, like the US and Western Europe, economic stagnation can threaten democracy and freedom. This is a provocative stance to take in times such as these, when growth, linked to globalisation and climate change, is often seen as lying at the root of problems. His book is a stimulating contribution to the debate on the influence of growth on the process of globalisation, on the environment and on the development of democratic societies.
The Book of the same title has been published by Vintage, New York.
Date: 10 July
The AGF’s occasional series "FIT FOR THE FUTURE. Policies for Sustainable Growth in Europe" complements the Anglo-German Foundation research initiative 'creating sustainable growth in europe (csge)'.
Work-Life-Balance >>>
6th British-German Trade Union Forum
Am 2. und 3. Juli 2007 wird in Hamburg das VI. Deutsch-Britische Gewerkschaftsforum stattfinden, in diesem Jahr zum Themenkomplex "Work-Life-Balance". Diskutiert werden unter anderem Perspektiven für eine lebenslaufbezogene Familienpolitik, Gleichstellung in Produktion und Reproduktion, sowie Fragen der Arbeits(zeit)gestaltung und Work-Life-Balance. Neben wissenschaftlichen Inputs sollen Fallbeispiele aus britischen und deutschen Unternehmen und Behörden zu einem umfassenden Bild beitragen.
Am Deutsch-Britischen Gewerkschaftsforum, das jetzt im sechsten Jahr zu jeweils verschiedenen Themen abwechselnd in Großbritannien und Deutschland stattfindet, nehmen je ca. 20 Vertreterinnen und Vertreter britischer und deutscher Gewerkschaften teil. Dabei sollen gewerkschaftliche Erfahrungen in Deutschland und Großbritannien zwischen den jeweiligen Fachleuten ausgetauscht werden.
Date: 2-3 July 2007
Euclid, the European Network of Third Sector Leaders
Seminar and Presentation
Euclid was launched in Paris on 16 March. It aims to develop, connect and support third sector leaders across Europe, to create a more professional and innovative European third sector. This seminar in Berlin discussed euclid and its ability to empower German third sector leaders. Euclid members from Sweden, France, the UK and Germany explained the network and its potential for German leaders, before a discussion about their specific priorities and circumstances. It also discussed what German leaders can bring to this European network.
Date: 1 June
- For more information please click here
Germany ’s Economic Priorities During the EU and G8 Presidencies: Challenges and Perspectives >>>
Lecture and Discussion
SPEAKER: Prof. Dr. Klaus Zimmermann, Director of the Institute for the Study of Labor (IZA Bonn) and President of the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW Berlin)
Date: 16 May
The AGF’s occasional series "FIT FOR THE FUTURE. Policies for Sustainable Growth in Europe" complements the Anglo-German Foundation research initiative 'creating sustainable growth in europe (csge)'.
The Determinants of Investment in R&D:
International and UK Evidence
Booklaunch and Workshop
The workshop at the NIESR is in connection with the publication of the report ‘The Determinants of Investment in Industrial Research and Development in the United Kingdom and in Germany’, by Michela Vecchi, Ray Barrel, Bettina Becker, Jens Schmidt-Ehmcke and Andreas Stephan, published by the Anglo-German foundation.
Date: 24 May
Lösungsansätze für mehr Beschäftigung im Niedriglohnbereich
Berlin Lunchtime Meeting
REFERENT: Peter Bofinger hat den Lehrstuhl für Volkswirtschaftslehre, Geld und internationale Wirtschaftsbeziehungen an der Universität Würzburg inne und ist seit März 2004 Mitglied des Sachverständigenrats zur Begutachtung der gesamtwirtschaftlichen Entwicklung.
KOMMENTAR: Hilmar Schneider ist seit Juli 2001 Direktor für Arbeitsmarktpolitik am IZA, Bonn. Darüber hinaus ist er seit 2002 Research Affiliate des DIW Berlin. 2006 wurde er zum Mitglied im Rat für Sozial- und Wirtschaftsdaten ernannt.
MODERATOR: Prof. Dr. Georg Meran, Vize-Präsident (DIW Berlin)
Die Beschäftigungsprobleme von Geringqualifizierten sind schon seit langer Zeit gravierend. Sie kommen vor allem in der hohen und weiter wachsenden Zahl der Langzeitarbeitslosen zum Ausdruck. Professor Bofinger stellt sein Modell einer negativen Einkommensteuer zur Überwindung der Beschäftigungsprobleme von Geringqualifizierten vor und unterzieht es einem Vergleich mit konkurrierenden Modellvorschlägen.
Date: 25 April
Optimal Income Transfer Programmes and Employment in an Ageing Society
Berlin Lunchtime Meeting
SPEAKERS: Viktor Steiner is Professor of Economics at the Free University, Berlin and Head of the Department of Public Economics at DIW Berlin. His main research interests include Applied Empirical Econometrics and Social Policy.
COMMENT: Mike Brewer is director of the direct tax and welfare research programme at the Insitute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) in London. His main interests are in welfare reforms, and the way the tax and benefit system affects families with children.
CHAIR: Regina Vogel, Deputy Director (Anglo-German Foundation)
Tax benefits to help raise the level of employment in the low income sector have a comparatively long tradition in Britain. The introduction of similar models is currently under discussion in Germany where public income support has already been introduced for the older unemployed. A joint research project conducted by DIW Berlin and IFS London has modelled the employment and welfare effects of introducing a British style tax credit system in Germany. Focusing on the potential for alleviating long-term unemployment, discouraging early retirement and raising the labour market participation of women, it particularly looks at older workers and lone mothers as two important groups in the ageing labour market.
Date: 28 March
'Trading Up'
Improving and extending the European carbon market >>>
British German Environment Forum Conference
The BGEF conference in Berlin addressed the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme.
Date: 26-27 March
Workshop on Explaining Productivity Growth in Europe, America and Asia >>>
International Workshop
The workshop in Mannheim brought together academics and policy makers to discuss recent research on the creation of sustainable growth in Europe. It looked at the influences of management practices, ICT, innovation and environmental protection on productivity.
Date: 23-24 March
- For full programme details please click here
The Survival and Growth of 'Adolescent' High-tech Firms in Germany and the UK, 1997-2003 >>>
Report Launch and Debate
A key aim of the German Presidency of the EU is the adoption of an ‘Energy Action Plan’ at the European Council meeting in March 2007. What are the policies which the two national sustainability councils are advocating? What should they be? How can they balance the needs of the environment and the interests and preferences of consumers? How can the two national sustainability councils, with ambitious remits but limited political power, seek to ensure that sustainability does not lose out to narrower economic or security concerns in that plan? What mechanisms and strategies are available to them to influence the key political actors? Can we learn from each other?
Date: 5 March
Influencing Policy on Energy and Consumption
The role of the Sustainable Development Commissions in Germany and the UK >>>
Public Debate
The role of the Sustainable Development Commissions in Germany and the UK >>>
Public Debate
SPEAKER: Jonathon Porritt, Chair, UK Sustainable Development Commission, and Dr. Volker Hauff, Vorsitzender, Rat für Nachhaltige Entwicklung
The AGF’s occasional series "FIT FOR THE FUTURE. Policies for Sustainable Growth in Europe" complements the Anglo-German Foundation research initiative 'creating sustainable growth in europe (csge)'.
Date: 27 February
Gesundheitsreform: die eigenen Ziele klar verfehlt!
Berlin Lunchtime Meeting
REFERENT: Prof. Dr. Friedrich Breyer, Universität Konstanz, DIW Berlin
KOMMENTAR: Jens Spahn, MdB
MODERATION: Prof. Dr. Georg Meran, Vize-Präsident (DIW Berlin)
Die Gesundheitsreform, über die bis zuletzt heftig gestritten wurde, wurde am 2. Februar 2007 vom Bundestag verabschiedet. Doch die Kritik und die Diskussionen wollen nicht verstummen. Selbst Experten der Großen Koalition halten das Gesetz für misslungen. Was wäre zu tun? Was kann und muss im Sinne einer nachhaltigen Entwicklung des Gesundheitswesens getan werden? Der Vortrag von Professor Breyer maß die Gesundheitsreform an den Zielen, die im Koalitionsvertrag festgelegt wurden und benennt weitere notwendige Reformschritte zur Herstellung eines finanzierbaren Gesundheitswesens.
Date: 28 February
Die energiepolitische Agenda der deutschen EU-Ratspräsidentschaft Chancen zur Gestaltung der Zukunftsfähigkeit Europas nutzen
Berlin Lunchtime Meeting
REFERENT: Dr. Joachim Pfeiffer, MdB
KOMMENTAR: Prof. Dr. Claudia Kemfert
MODERATION: Dr. Regina Vogel, Deputy Director (Anglo-German Foundation)
Am 10. Januar 2007 hat die EU-Kommission ein Maßnahmenpaket zum Thema Energie und Klimaschutz vorgestellt. Danach sollen die Energieversorgung gesichert, die Wettbewerbsfähigkeit gestärkt und der Klimawandel bekämpft werden. Mit der Übernahme der EU-Ratspräsidentschaft Deutschlands zum 1. Januar 2007 und den Vorsitz in der Gruppe der G-8 Staaten kann Deutschland einen richtungsweisenden Beitrag zur Gestaltung der europäischen Politik leisten. Außerdem zeichnet sich in jüngster Zeit eine Fokussierung auf die Themen „Energiesicherheit“ und „Klimaschutz“ ab. Der Vortrag von Dr. Joachim Pfeiffer skizzierte Schwerpunkte und Lösungsansätze für die energiepolitische Agenda, die die Bundesregierung setzen will.
Date: 31 January