World Business Dialogue

The World Business Dialogue is organized by students Congress economy, which is organized annually by the nonprofit organization GmbH Business Forum (OFW ). The World Business Dialogue is understood as an impulse Congress on the latest innovations and social trends are analyzed and discussed in terms of their impact on existing business models and their opportunities for new business models. To this end he brings students together with people in business, politics and science and offers them a platform a dialogue.

• 4.1 speakers at the 8th World Business Dialogue (selection)

• 5.1 speakers at the 9th World Business Dialogue (selection)

• 6.1 speakers at the 10th World Business Dialogue (selection)

• 7.1 speakers at the 11th World Business Dialogue (selection)

• 8.1 speakers at the 12th World Business Dialogue (selection)

• 9.1 speakers at the 13th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Formation

The student- driven organization Business Forum Congress was established in 1984 as a club and sees itself as an entrepreneur since school. Each year, the SAW, which was renamed in 2013 to a non-profit company, around 40 students the opportunity to supplement their theoretical knowledge to practical experience. To this end, the OFW annually organizes the World Business Dialogue. This was the first time in 1987 at the University of Cologne; at that time still under the name " German Economic Congress ".

History ( 1st to 6th German Economic Congress )

The first German Economic Congress, the "Space as a market " was focused on the theme, was held to 11 March 1987 by the 10th. After the first patron had canceled his presence for Congress, appeared to represent the Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher, retired, who demanded a German space agency in his speech. Due to the assassination of the Siemens Managing Board Karl- Heinz Beckurts - which wanted to participate as a speaker at the 1st German Economic Congress - by the RAF a few months before the event, was the OFW forced to strengthen security controls.

From this base, starting, particularly attention was paid in the following years to expand both the organization and the program of the Congress and improve. First, a large festival hall on the Albertus -Magnus-Platz was built before the University of Cologne since the 2nd German Economic Congress in 1989, the university should reflect the character of the event. Two years later, in 1991, then were, inter alia, to this day very popular workshops in which students work independently and these results may hold, is introduced. Meanwhile, the German Economic Congress was known throughout Europe and thus mingled more and more foreign participants, students and lecturers.

The 3rd German Economic Congress was alternatively arranged by satellite circuit in the United States, because at that time some American speakers starting from the Gulf War could not travel to Germany because of the terror threat. For the 4th German Economy Congress for the first time an attendance of over 300 students from around the world has been achieved, which travel, accommodation and meals were provided by the revised and very much improved logistics organization. The application for the German Economy Congress was now about an essay contest to the four possible fields of the Congress theme of " human resource " instead. In addition, led by Hermann Simon of the University of Mainz for the first time a Chairman by the two days of the German Economic Congress. In all these years, more and more well-known and international participating speakers were recorded, without which the development of the German Economic Congress would probably have progressed much more slowly. A highlight in the history of the German Economic Congress introduced the participation of Microsoft founder Bill Gates at the 5th German Economic Congress in 1995 dar. As interest in his presentation was so high, that was transferred into an adjacent auditorium, so that all students have the opportunity had to listen to him. But not only the interest on the part of students was considerably high at the German Economic Congress, but also the press gave to enormous attention the event. In addition to Bill Gates also following personalities mingled with the speakers at the 5th German Economic Congress: August -Wilhelm Scheer, Lothar Spätz, Heinz Dürr, Rajiv Shah and others.

Since the German Economic Congress was now known far beyond Germany's borders, it was decided from the 6th event in 1997, the Congress theme an English title to give " Return on Globalization ". Again, some problems had to be overcome, for example, was questioning whether you could use the originally intended Congress grounds, because the science faculty also wanted to be held a major event in that period. The fact that the organization Business Forum Congress was actively supported in this regard by the Cologne professors, the 6th German Economic Congress but could ultimately be held at the Albertus -Magnus-Platz, University of Cologne. All important information on the event were recently made ​​available on the congress intranet. For lasting memories made ​​to finish off the invitation of the Indian essay winner to all congress participants to his home.

7th World Business Dialogue

The in 1999 on "Rethinking Knowledge - Labour, Education and Business in the Knowledge Society ", held German Economic Congress first appeared in public under the current name World Business Dialogue. So many nations Never before were represented at the congress, there were almost 70 The art exhibition "Arts of Knowledge " was the cultural highlight of the 7th World Business Dialogue. It was possible to exhibit works by six artists who deal in different ways with the theme of "knowledge" in a specially erected tent. Also with regard to the speakers a complete success was achieved: it was attended a large number of German CEO important companies in the World Business Dialogue.

Speakers at the 7th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Ron Sommer, Henning Schulte- Noelle, Heinrich von Pierer, Rolf Breuer, Klaus Zumwinkel, Chris Cramer, Manfred Schneider, Dieter Schulte, Masaaki Imai, Thomas Middelhoff, Hans -Olaf Henkel, John S. Clarkson, Kenneth S. Courtis, Maria Livanos Cattani.

8th World Business Dialogue

Due to the many restructuring operations in the field of economy - called "New Economy" - sat the 8th World Business Dialogue under the title " Net Planet - Strategies for a new economy ," the goal of the multiple effects and the implications of that change on economy, politics and society, and the resulting long-term demands on labor, education structures, entrepreneurial and political decisions and strategies to consider. To this end, among other things, the processes of change and the impact of digital networking were considered on business and the economic environment of action and analyzed. Completion of the 8th World Business Dialogue is the question of the further development of the networked economy and a visionary look into the future.

Speakers at the 8th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Roland Berger, John R. H. Bond, Rolf -E. Breuer, Mary Livanos Cattaui, Hans Joachim Körber, Martin Kohlhaussen, Klaus Mangold, Heinrich von Pierer, Jürgen Weber.

9th World Business Dialogue

The Congress directed his focus on the phenomenon of volatility, detached from the pure financial market analysis and identified possible strategies for success on in a constantly changing environment and. On the one hand, the causes and effects of increasing volatility were analyzed and discussed the resulting challenges for the economy, society and politics critical. Secondly, the main issues for entrepreneurial success were, in an unstable environment in the heart of this strategy Congress.

Speakers at the 9th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Roland Berger, Hans Jörg Bullinger, Iain C.Conn, Claus Michael Dill, Dieter Hundt, Walter Jochmann, Wolfgang Klein, Karl Ludwig Kley, Klaus Peter Müller, Klaus Zumwinkel, Peter Zencke, Werner Wenning, Vilim Vasata, Wolfgang Urban, Martin Sorrell, Hermann Simon, Ekkehard D. Schulz.

10th World Business Dialogue

Motto of the Jubilee Congress was " Transforming the Company - How to face Dynamic Forces ". Main themes were corporate changes and developments arising from a constantly changing environment. The need for a radical reorientation was the focus of controversy. Company managers like Josef Ackermann, Frank Appel, Mark Fields, Manfred Wennemer and Rolf Schmidt -Holtz discussed on the evening of the first day of a new culture of leadership and named it as crucial features of adaptability, flexibility, communication, honesty and team spirit. Furthermore, it was about the opportunities and risks of globalization, technological progress and the digital world, with which the company has to face tomorrow referenced. Despite some concerns in the run was the 10th World Business Dialogue - not only in the eyes of the patron Gerhard Schröder - a great success. So thrilled reported among other issues of the day and the German wave of Congress.

Speakers at the 10th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Josef Ackermann, Frank Appel, Mark Fields, W. Chan Kim, John Nailsbitt, Andrew Robertson, Rolf Schmitz- Holtz, Adrian Slywotzky, Manfred Wennemer.

11th World Business Dialogue

The 11th World Business Dialogue was held under the theme " Population Dynamics - Ageing Societies & Megacities - Opportunities for Corporate Growth". The thematic focus were the developments of globalization such as urbanization and aging society. The Group tral question was how companies can respond to the population changes, for example by reacting the potential for growth that arise from these changes. Companies can, for example, in megacities with innovations ( medical solutions, energy efficiency) improve both the lives of urban residents as well as grow with these innovations. Both urbanization and demographic change, the continued aging of the population, make it increasingly necessary to rethink and adapt old business models. The aim of the Congress was to make entrepreneurs to demographic challenges and attentive to animierenm they participate actively in the restructuring and participate. The potentials of these global changes and ways should be explored to take advantage of this.

Speakers at the 11th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Scott E. Carson, Hans -Werner Sinn, Paul A. Laudicina, Edward N. Luttwak, Dr. Caesar McDowell, Bernhard Mattes, Dr. Olaf Göttgens, Walter Köbele, Eckhard Cordes, Hans -Joachim Hunold

12th World Business Dialogue

The 12th World Business Dialogue under the theme, "The Integrated Challenge - China, Resources & Costumer Revolution - Linked Drivers Demand Innovation".

Speakers at the 12th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Bernhard Fauser, Christian Rast, Claudia kemfert, Frank Sieren, Herbert Hainer, John Fleming, Luc Wathieu, Martin Seiwert, Peter Nolan, Richard Hausmann, Richard Pott, Rolf Buch, Steve Welsh, Giegold, Wang Yingming, Wolfgang Hartmann.

13th World Business Dialogue 2010

Theme of the 13th World Business Dialogue was "Crisis Demands - The end-to- Anything Goes ." This was the worst economic crisis since the " Great Depression " of the 1930s in the center. The 13th World Business Dialogue therefore shed light on the crisis and the demands of their deal with from different perspectives and provided a framework for innovative and interdisciplinary approaches. In addition to a variety of workshops and other supporting formats provided especially the main panel, select the thematic focus. These panels inspired the participants with profound contributions to the discussion critically about necessary economic changes.

Speakers at the 13th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Axel A. Weber, Frank Appel, Muhammad Yunus, Bernd Ziesemer, Roland Tichy, Christof Lang, Werner Cross, Erik Hölzl, Robert C. Walscott, Norbert Walter, Michael Träm, Hugh Sullivan, David B. Speer, Oliver Rosenthal, Frank Riemensperger.

14th World Business Dialogue 2011

The 14th World Business Dialogue was held under the theme " Managing Complexity - The Art of Collective Consequences". It was especially attached importance to illuminate markets from all sides and to discuss developments with regard to time, cultural and expanding components. In addition, changes were detected, which are due to the evolution of the digital world.

15th World Business Dialogue 2012

The 15th World Business Dialogue was held from March 14 to 15 at the University of Cologne. The focus was on the topic of "Checkpoint Consumption".

Speakers at the 15th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Rüdiger Grube, Kurt Bock, Georges Strongylis

16th World Business Dialogue 2013

The 16th World Business Dialogue was held from March 13 to 14 at the University of Cologne under the theme " Next Generation Business Strategies - Finding New Ways to Succeed " instead. For the first time stood beside entrepreneurs, politicians and scientists also a student on the stage and discussed in the panel " Human Factors ".

Speakers at the 16th World Business Dialogue (selection)

Daniel Mahler, Bernd Kolb, Lars Feld, Niek Jan van Damme

Organizer

• ( see main article Organisationsforum Economic Congress )