Prof. Jürgen Howaldt followed the invitation from the German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss with other experts from around the globe about innovations and how they can improve wellbeing, prosperity and progress.
The idea of the International German Forum emerged from the Chancellor’s Dialogue on Germany’s Future. The aim is to discuss “what matters to people” and to help maintain and improve the quality of life for this generation and the generations to come around the world. The First International German Forum on 5 June 2013 looked at “What matters to people – wellbeing and progress”. Throughout 2011 and 2012 Angela Merkel conducted a discussion with citizens and with experts about how we want to live in the future. This time some of the focus questions were:
How can technological and social innovations help resolve the tasks ahead and enhance the quality of life? How can we organise the interplay of politics, business, the academic community and civil society to facilitate holistic innovations and devise effective solutions?