GLO President Zimmermann Accepts Invitation to be an Associate Member of the Centre for Workforce Futures at Macquarie University

Posted on November 22, 2018 by admin

In November 2017, Klaus F. Zimmermann (UNU-MERIT & President of the Global Labor Organization, GLO) has been a Visiting Professor at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Now he affiliates with Macquarie University further by accepting an invitation of Lucy Taksa, Co-Director of the Centre for Workforce Futures of the University, to join the Centre as an Associate Member. Lucy Taksa is also a Professor of Management and Associate Dean for Research of the Faculty of Business & Economics at Macquarie University, and a GLO Fellow.

Note:
PUBLIC SPEECH of Klaus F. Zimmermann                                                                             International Labor Day May 2015 on “The Big Trade-Off in the World of Labor”     (Linkedin Comment, Text,  VIDEO)

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Zimmermann visiting Örebro University/Sweden to discuss publishing in scientific journals

Posted on November 21, 2018 by admin

On 19-20 November 2018, Klaus F. Zimmermann, (UNU-MERIT and President of the Global Labor Organization, GLO) was visiting Örebro University/Sweden to attend a workshop on publishing in scientific journals. In his function as keynote speaker to the event, he was also reporting about his experience as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Population Economics and his role with many other journals in the profession. MORE INFORMATION. The workshop intensively discussed publication strategies and elaborated them on a selection of papers presented by the authors together with invited external reviewers, among them GLO Fellow Björn Gustafsson of Gothenburg University and Daniel Halvarsson of the Ratio Institute, Stockholm.

Arrived in Arlanda/Stockholm on November 18, 2018

 

Workshop dinner with all active participants on November 19, 2018

Workshop Co-Organizer and GLO Fellow Daniela Andren of Örebro University

Örebro nightlife


 

Also of potential interest: Brown, Alessio J.G. & Klaus F. Zimmermann, Three Decades of Publishing Research in Population Economics: Journal of Population Economics, 30 (2017), 11-27.

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Visiting Azerbaijan VI: Zimmermann joins the IGEP Advisory Board & Farewell

Posted on November 17, 2018 by admin

During his recent visit to Baku/Azerbaijan on 10-13 November 2018, the President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO), Klaus F. Zimmermann, has met Chairman Natig Shirinzade of the Institute of Global Economic Problems (IGEP) and collaborated intensively with him. Shirinzade, who is also a GLO Fellow and the GLO Country Lead Azerbaijan, had organized the meetings for Zimmermann with key representatives from government, academia and business to discuss the global challenges and approaches of the country.

In the light of the great success of the visit and the large potentials, Chairman Shirinzade and President Zimmermann decided to intensify the relationships between both organizations even further. For this purpose, both signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU expresses that the planned collaborations should advance academic knowledge in both organizations through the encouragement of academic research, the communication among scholars through meetings, the promotion of publication opportunities and by providing networking opportunities for scholars through conferences and other joint activities.

For this purpose, Zimmermann has also accepted to join the IGEP Advisory Board headed by the Honorary Academician Ziyad Samedzade, the Chairman of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee of the National Assembly (Milli Mejlis). In a festive ceremony on November 13, Natig Shirinzade presented Zimmermann the certificate for this appointment, which is signed by him and Ziyad Samedzade.

Over dinner on the previous night, Samedzade, Shirinzade and Zimmermann had discussed further details of the global challenges and found that they largely agree how one needs to approach them.

Shirinzade and Zimmermann after the presentation of the Certificate of the membership in the IGEP Advisory Board.

The Honorary Academician Ziyad Samedzade, the Chairman of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee of the National Assembly (Milli Mejlis) and Chairman of the IGEP Advisory Board with Zimmermann.

 

Relaxation after successful investigations.

Zimmermann returned to Germany in the early morning of November 14, 2018.

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Visiting Azerbaijan V: Policy Community, Business and Academia

Posted on November 17, 2018 by admin

On the invitation of Natig Shirinzade, Chairman of the Institute of Global Economic Problems, the President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO), Klaus F. Zimmermann, has visited Baku, Azerbaijan, on 10-13 November 2018 to discuss research and policy issues and to intensify contacts. Chairman Natig Shirinzade is also a GLO Fellow and the GLO Country Lead Azerbaijan representing GLO. MORE DETAILS.

In front of the Milli Mejlis, the National Parliament

Organized by Natig Shirinzade (right side of the picture), Zimmermann met with researchers and scientists, representatives from business and government including members from the office of the First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Executive Director of the State Oil Fund and his staff, the Minister of Labor and the Minister of Education with their staff, the Chairman of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee of the National Assembly, and the Deputy Foreign Minister and Founding Rector of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA University) with various administrators and professors from ADA University and the Azerbaijan State University of Economics.

A highlight of the visit was a meeting with the Honorary Academician Ziyad Samedzade, the Chairman of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee of the National Assembly (Milli Mejlis).

Klaus F. Zimmermann: “The exchange with Ziyad Samedzade was a big honor and great pleasure, we have debated and agreed on important issues of the globalized world, the perspectives of our countries, and what we have to do. A truly great man; I am deeply impressed. He found time on the eve of an important budget debate in the parliament to receive me in his office in the National Assembly on Monday, November 12, and to join us for dinner. About his significant intervention in the parliamentary debate in the following morning I read in the media the day later:”

“The activities of the country’s banks once again caused a barrage of criticism. This time, criticism was voiced by the parliamentarians during the discussion of the draft state budget for 2019 at the plenary session of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly). The statement of Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Ziyad Samadzadeh was especially noteworthy. He stated bluntly: ‘We cannot be satisfied with the activities of banks in Azerbaijan, because their assistance to the real sector is insignificant.’” (MPs attacked banks. Elnur Mammadov in the AZERI DAILY)

The full program on November 12-13, 2018 included the following major program points in this sequence:

The joint initiative of Natig Shirinzade and Klaus F. Zimmermann was broadly covered by the Azerbaijani media:

Left picture: In the middle, Sahil Babayev, Minister of Labor and Social Protection. Right: Natig Shirinzade and Klaus F. Zimmermann

Excellent and deep discussions with key staff members of the office of the First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva: Emin Huseynov (left) and Khalid Ahadov (right). Broad and common understanding about the global human challenges and the large potentials for deeper collaborations between Azerbaijan and Europe.

 

With Shahmar Movsumov as the Executive Director of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Fund prepares for the future of the country investing resources around the world and supporting the change of the country including activities strengthening infrastructure and human resources. Both Natig Shirinzade and Klaus F. Zimmermann were visiting Shahmar Movsumov and his staff in his headquarter to introduce the respective institutions and to discuss the research needs to deal with the major challenges of the country. Bellow: In the headquarter of the Fund.

 

 

In both ministries, labor and education, the exchange was about the political strategies to deal with the demand for effective government using the instruments of the digital age, establishing the physical and administrative infrastructure needed for the post oil age, the need to strengthen entrepreneurship and the development of skills and education. A particular need was identified in vocational training, where large efforts of both ministries are under way. Zimmermann agreed with ministers Sahil Babayev (labor) and Ceyhun Bayamon (education) that vocational training could be key for the development if combined with proper entrepreneurship and small business. He advertised for the German dual system, knowing the difficulties with an adaption of the model that requires long traditions and the strong support of the business community.

 

Shirinzade and Zimmermann further met with Ambassador Hafiz Pashayev, Deputy Foreign Minister and Founding Rector of the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy (ADA University). At the ADA University, they met with him and Fariz Ismailzade (Vice Rector for External, Government and Student Affairs), Elkin Nurmammadov (Dean of the School of Business), Rahman Shahhuseynli (Director of the Office of International Affairs), Kavus Abushov (Assistant Professor, Political Sciences), all ADA University, and Anar Rzayev, Vice-Rector International Relations and Programs of UNEC, the Azerbaijan State University of Economics. Topics discussed included the mission of GLO, the natural role of the country as a geographic, economic and political meeting point between Europe and Asia, and potentials for academic exchange of the universities with Europe. The visit at ADA University ended with a lecture of Zimmermann for ADA students.

Zimmermann speaking at the ADA University Global Perspectives Lecture Series in front of a large audience of interested students.

 

REFERENCES:
Klaus F. Zimmermann et al. (2013). Youth Unemployment and Vocational Training. Foundations and Trends in Microeconomics, Vol. 9, 1-157. now publishers.

Luca Barbone, Martin Kahanec, Klaus F. Zimmermann and Lucia Kureková (2013), Migration from the Eastern Partnership Countries to the European Union — Options for a Better Future, IZA Research Report, No. 55, Bonn. (50 pages)

Martin Kahanec, Klaus F. Zimmermann, Lucia Kureková and Costanza Biavaschi (2013), Labour Migration from EaP Countries to the EU – Assessment of Costs and Benefits and Proposals for Better Labour Market Matching, IZA Research Report, No. 56, Bonn. (164 pages)

On the more touristic side, Zimmermann explored on November 11 and 12 the city of Baku and the environment directed by a strongly motivated team of tourist guide, interpreter and driver. These experiences provided him with deep insides into history, modern developments, challenges and potentials of the country. On November 10, he was visiting modern Baku and enjoyed some of the local culture. On November 10 in the afternoon, he has been in the old city of Baku, and on November 11, among others, in the Gobustan National Park, saw the Petroglyphs and investigated the Zoroastrian temple of Ateshgah (Part III). At the end, he inspected Yanardag, the burning mountain. (The links lead to the four individual reports from the previous days.)

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Visiting the Land of Fire. Zimmermann on tour in Azerbaijan IV

Posted on November 15, 2018 by admin

The President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO), Klaus F. Zimmermann, was visiting Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 10-13 to discuss research and policy issues. MORE DETAILS. On November 10, he was visiting modern Baku and enjoyed some of the local culture. On November 10 in the afternoon, he has been in the old city of Baku, and on November 11, among others, in the Gobustan National Park, saw the Petroglyphs and investigated the Zoroastrian temple of Ateshgah (Part III). At the end, he inspected Yanardag, the burning mountain. Why is Azerbaijan called the “Land of Fire”?

Zimmermann at Yanardag

A national dish at fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eternal fire at the temple of Ateshgah

Oil production everywhere….

With great tourist guide.

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History lessons: Zimmermann on tour in Azerbaijan, Part III.

Posted on November 15, 2018 by admin

On the invitation of Natig Shirinzade, Chairman of the Institute of Global Economic Problems, the President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO), Klaus F. Zimmermann, was visiting Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 10-13 to discuss research and policy issues. MORE DETAILS. On November 10, he was first visiting modern Baku and enjoyed some of the local culture. On November 10 in the afternoon, he was visiting the old city of Baku, and on November 11, among others, the Gobustan National Park, the Petroglyphs and the Zoroastrian temple of Ateshgah.

Having a long tradition as an ancient city on the original silk road, Baku is again a natural geographic, economic and political meeting point between Europe and Asia. It cannot be ignored in the context of the Chinese efforts to establish a 21st-century silk route, called the belt and road initiative. Europe and the EU need to have a strategic interest to observe these developments.

Azerbaijan, nearby the open-air museum of Petroglyphs….

Left: Place at the ancient silk road. Right: City wall of Baku.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creates beauty? Mud volcanoes. Azerbaijan has the largest concentration of mud volcanoes in the world. Is mud good for your health? Views, no scientific analysis: Pro. Contra. (“So my conclusion would be that the mud from mud volcano is not good for your skin, even though it feels pleasant.”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Open-air museum of Petroglyphs in the Gobustan National Park.

In the temple of Ateshgah (Zoroastrianism temple).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Part II: Zimmermann in Baku, enjoying culture

Posted on November 13, 2018 by admin

On the invitation of Natig Shirinzade, Chairman of the Institute of Global Economic Problems, the President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO), Klaus F. Zimmermann, is currently visiting Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss research and policy issues. MORE DETAILS.

Day 1, November 10. On city tour.

Visiting the artist Ali Shamsi in his house. Impressive character, strong messages. Easy to approach.

Revisiting the dream of flying carpets after a visit in an “arthouse” to learn all details of carpet production.

Traditions and modernity: The future of Azerbaijan?

Visit of the Baku Museum of Miniature Books

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GLO President Zimmermann visits Baku, Azerbaijan, to investigate research and policy issues: Part I, arrival and modern viewes of Baku

Posted on November 13, 2018 by admin

On the invitation of Natig Shirinzade, Chairman of the Institute of Global Economic Problems, the President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO), Klaus F. Zimmermann, is currently visiting Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss research and policy issues. Chairman Natig Shirinzade is also a GLO Fellow and the GLO Country Lead Azerbaijan representing GLO.

On November 12 and 13, Zimmermann meets with researchers and scientists, representatives from business and and government including members from the office of the First Vice President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Executive Director of the State Oil Fund, the Minister of Labor and the Minister of Education with their staffs, the Chairman of the Economic Policy, Industry and Entrepreneurship Committee of the National Assembly, and the Deputy Foreign Minister and President of the Azerbaijan State Economic University.

November 11 and 12, Zimmermann explored the city of Baku and the environment with a strongly motivated team of tourist guide, interpreter and driver.

Day 1, November 10. On “modern city” tour.

Day 0, November 9. The night before, waiting for the luggage after arrival.

Day 1, November 10. On “modern city” tour.

With part of the team in the middle of the work-day.

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More about the KAS-FOM-GLO conference in Hong Kong: Climate Change and Human Responses

Posted on November 7, 2018 by admin

The joint FOM-GLO-KAS Conference about “Climate Change and Human Responses” co-organized by the Global Labor Organization (GLO), FOM University of Applied Sciences and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) took place on October 31 – November 2 in Hong Kong. (See for detailed reports: Day 1, Day 2, Day 3). Some further impressions (courtesy of KAS):


Conference organizers (from the left): GLO President Klaus F. Zimmermann, Peter Hefele, Director of the Hong Kong branch of the German Konrad-Adenauer Foundation and Andreas Oberheitmann (FOM, RWI and GLO).

Left: GLO Fellow & GLO Cluster Lead Green Jobs Almas Heshmati of Jönköping International Business School, Sogang University, Sweden/South Korea with Klaus F. Zimmermann.

Organizers Oberheitmann & Zimmermann with GLO Fellow & Session Chair Yifan Zhang of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Zimmermann with Jonathan Ho of Business Environment Council.

Conference participants at Day 2 after lunch.

RECENT GLO Discussion Papers on the issue of the conference (freely downloadable):

DP 266 Smog, Cognition and Real-World Decision Making – Download PDF
by Chen, Xi
DP 221 Gender and climate change: Do female parliamentarians make a difference? – Download PDF
by Mavisakalyan, Astghik & Tarverdi, Yashar
DP 86 Do Environmental Regulations Effect FDI decisions? The Pollution Haven Hypothesis Revisited – Download PDF
by Yoon, Haeyeon & Heshmati, Almas
DP 78 Managing the Impact of Climate Change on Migration: Evidence from Mexico – Download PDF
by Chort, Isabelle & de la Rupelle, Maëlys
DP 56 Happiness in the Air: How Does a Dirty Sky Affect Mental Health and Subjective Well-being? – Download PDF
by Zhang, Xin & Zhang, Xiaobo & Chen, Xi
DP 32 Smog in Our Brains: Gender Differences in the Impact of Exposure to Air Pollution on Cognitive Performance  – Download PDF
by Chen, Xi & Zhang, Xiaobo & Zhang, Xin

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Climate Change and Human Responses: Overview about the second day of a successful Hong Kong conference

Posted on November 4, 2018 by admin

The joint FOM-GLO-KAS Conference about “Climate Change and Human Responses” co-organized by the Global Labor Organization (GLO), FOM University of Applied Sciences and Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) at the Hotel Harbour Grand Kowloon, Hung Hom, Hong Kong (see FIRST DAY, for the full program of all three days, literature references and some pictures of the first day; details of THIRD DAY) continued on 1 November 2018 with a dense scientific program.

View at the conference room with acting
participants. What a wonderful conference. Top speakers, a large diversity of motivated participants from academia, civil society and very interested students. Made possible by a beautiful, comfortable and very efficient conference hotel, and last but not least by a devoted and perfect KAS local conference organization team. Congratulations!

 

Here are some photos of the academic event of the SECOND DAY (November 1, 2018):

9:00 Session 1: Impact of Climate Change on Regions and Industry Sectors
Chair: ZHANG Yifan, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and GLO

 

Session chair ZHANG Yifan (The Chinese University of Hong Kong and GLO) next to Klaus F. Zimmermann (UNU-MERIT and President GLO)

 

 

 

Manfred FISCHEDICK, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Energy and Environment
Climate Change and (Basic) Industry: Options and Related Chances and Challenges for a Green Transformation


Andreas OBERHEITMANN, FOM, RWI and GLO
Challenges of Climate Change for Coastal Regions and Cities: the Case of China

 

11:00 Session 2: Impacts of Climate Change on Global Labor Force and Labor Markets. Chair: GUO Chaoran, Chinese University of Hong Kong and GLO

 

Session Chair Chaoran Guo (Chinese University of Hong Kong and GLO) with Jean-Marc Champagne  (World Wide Fund for Nature) and Walton Li (Greenpeace)

 

 

 

FENG Shuaizhang, Jinan University and GLO, video
presentation (with CUI Xiaomeng, Jinan University,
per skype in the discussion below)

Climate Variability, Agricultural Productivity and Migration


CHEN Xi, Yale University and GLO
Climate and Environmental Challenges to Health Capital

DEBATE: Astghik Mavisakalyan (Curtin University and GLO), discussing; with from the left Chris Parsons (University of Western Australia and GLO), Peter Hefele (Director, Konrad Adenauer- Foundation, Hong Kong SAR, PR China), Eric Chun Sum Lee (Konrad Adenauer- Foundation), Nicolas de Loisy (SCMO, Hong Kong), and session chair GUO Chaoran (Chinese University of Hong Kong and GLO)

Christopher PARSONS, The University of Western Australia and GLO
Climate Change and Migration, Exit, Voice and Loyalty: A Solution to the Immobility Paradox

 

14.00 Session 3: Climate Change: Historical Lessons
Chair: Manfred FISCHEDICK, Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Energy and Environment

Almas HESHMATI, Jönköping International Business School, Sogang University
and GLO, Sweden/South Korea
What Can We Learn from Environmental Disasters for the Climate Change Challenges?

PEI Qing, Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Mandate of Heaven – Climate change, migration and geopolitical cycles in imperial China

 

15:45 Session 4: Climate Change: How to React?
Chair: Anbumozhi VENKATACHALAM, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA)

 

Session Chair Anbumozhi VENKATACHALAM (Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, ERIA) with Almas HESHMATI (Jönköping International Business School, Sogang University, Sweden/South Korea and GLO), and speaker Astghik MAVISAKALYAN (Curtin University and GLO)

 

Astghik MAVISAKALYAN, Curtin University and GLO
Gender and Climate Change: Do Female Parliamentarians Make a Difference?

Background Paper GLO DP 221 Gender and climate change: Do female parliamentarians make a difference? – Download PDF
by Mavisakalyan, Astghik & Tarverdi, Yashar

Eileen GALLAGHER, BSR, Business for Social Responsibility, Hong Kong
How Business Can Manage Climate Risk in Southeast Asia

THE WORKDAY ENDED WITH STUDENT PRESENTATIONS ON THE TOPIC
17:20 KAS–CUHK Students Forum
(in cooperation with the Faculty of Law/Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
“Climate Change and Human Responses”
Chair: Peter HEFELE, KAS RECAP, Hong Kong
Welcoming Remarks:
– Anatole BOUTE, Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)
– LL.M-Master Course Student, CUHK
Discussion
18:00 Wrap-up and Concluding Remarks
– Andreas OBERHEITMANN

RECENT GLO Discussion Papers on the issue (freely downloadable):

DP 266 Smog, Cognition and Real-World Decision Making – Download PDF
by Chen, Xi
DP 221 Gender and climate change: Do female parliamentarians make a difference? – Download PDF
by Mavisakalyan, Astghik & Tarverdi, Yashar
DP 86 Do Environmental Regulations Effect FDI decisions? The Pollution Haven Hypothesis Revisited – Download PDF
by Yoon, Haeyeon & Heshmati, Almas
DP 78 Managing the Impact of Climate Change on Migration: Evidence from Mexico – Download PDF
by Chort, Isabelle & de la Rupelle, Maëlys
DP 56 Happiness in the Air: How Does a Dirty Sky Affect Mental Health and Subjective Well-being? – Download PDF
by Zhang, Xin & Zhang, Xiaobo & Chen, Xi
DP 32 Smog in Our Brains: Gender Differences in the Impact of Exposure to Air Pollution on Cognitive Performance  – Download PDF
by Chen, Xi & Zhang, Xiaobo & Zhang, Xin

Ends;

 

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