Zimmermann spoke at the 3-5 December African Economic Conference 2018 in Kigali/Rwanda

Posted on December 7, 2018 by admin

After his participation at the 3-5 December African Economic Conference 2018 in Kigali/Rwanda, GLO President Klaus F. Zimmermann, traveled on December 5 from Kigali through Doha and Hongkong to reach Xiamen on December 6. His travel had begun on 1 December 2018 in Brussels and Bonn.

In Kigali/Rwanda the Marriott Hotel had hosted the 3-5 December African Economic Conference 2018 organized jointly by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This year’s topic was “Regional and Continental Integration for Africa’s Development” and Zimmermann spoke in the prestigious opening plenary session 1, the “High-level panel on drivers, opportunities and lessons for Africa’s integration” (see below for further information).

Regional integration is in the focus of the debate about the future of Africa after the proposed project of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was suggested at the African Union Summit in March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. AfCFTA is a major step on the Agenda 2063, which was the result of the 2013 African Union Summit. Agenda 2063 had formulated the vision of “An integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the international arena.” The seven African aspirations on this agenda are:

  • “A Prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.
  • An integrated continent, politically united, based on the ideals of Pan Africanism and the vision of Africa’s Renaissance.
  • An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law.
  • A Peaceful and Secure Africa.
  • Africa with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics.
  • An Africa whose development is people driven, relying on the potential offered by people, especially its women and youth and caring for children.
  • An Africa as a strong, united, resilient and influential global player and partner.”

Regional integration will also be fostered by the creation of free labor mobility as envisaged in the “African Passport and free movement of people” project of Agenda 2063. It is seen as an integral part of the AfCFTA, what the affiliated Free Movement of Persons Protocol demonstrates. The aspired labor mobility could contribute significantly to continental integration.

The African Economic Conference 2018 on the special theme of Continental and Regional Integration for Africa’s Development provided the possibility to analyze and discuss the potentials and challenges of free trade and migration for the further integration of the African continent.

In the prestigious opening plenary session “High-level panel on drivers, opportunities and lessons for Africa’s integration”, high level principals from the collaborating institution as well as high-level experts, policymakers, and practitioners were sharing their reflections and perspectives on Regional and Continental Integration for Africa’s development. This had set the stage for the conference by outlining drivers, opportunities and lessons for more effective integration in all its dimensions (economic, social, political, environmental) and faster progress in meeting Africa’s development aspirations in terms of trade, migration, financial flows and innovation for Africa’s integration.

Moderator: Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary General and Africa Regional Director, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Keynote Address: Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy in the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford

Panelists:

  • H.E. Prof. Victor Harison, AUC Commissioner for Economic Affairs
  • Ms. Giovanie Biha, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
  • Prof. Klaus F. Zimmermann, President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO); Co-Director of POP at UNU-MERIT; Full Professor of Economics at Bonn University
  • Prof. Ademola Oyejide, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Ibadan, Chairman, Centre for Trade and Development Initiatives (CTDi), Nigeria.
  • Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation

Rapporteurs: Linguere Mbaye (AfDB), William Davis (ECA), Elda Chirwa (UNDP)

In his contribution, Zimmermann praised the Agenda 2063 with its very promising vision, but also reminded the audience about the many challenges caused by national interests as have become transparent in the European integration process. The necessary creation of 700 – 800 million jobs until 2063 could only be realized in collaboration with Europe and Asia that would need many more workers over this period. A strategic pact would be appropriate that could involve circular migration and investments in education and vocational training in response to a joint monitoring of illegal migration.

The conference provided all the required possibilities for an exchange of ideas and the creation of new contacts. Presented were also (i) the 2018 Africa Sustainable Development Report, (ii) the African Economic Outlook 2018 and (iii) the Africa Visa Openness Report 2018. As the Visa Openness Report states, African countries have indeed become more open to each other by visa-free or visa-on-arrival access, and the expanding digital technology promotes efficiency and an increasing access to information. As a consequence, Africans do not need a visa to travel to 25% of the other African countries, and they can get visas on arrival in 24%. However, visas to travel are still required for 51% of the countries (Africa Visa Openness Report 2018, p. 10).

Zimmermann traveled with a German passport; no form was needed to file, just to answer a few obvious questions and to pay the visa fee of 30$. Then the visa was stamped upon entry in the passport. Very simple and convenient.

Above: Zimmermann before the opening ceremony.

Below: Full concentration before the beginning of the conference.

Below: Official opening; Hon. Claudine Uwerta, Minister of State in Charge of Economic Planning, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Rwanda.

Below right: Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy in the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. Before his keynote speech and the panel exchange with Zimmermann.

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Economic Integration for Africa’s Development: GLO President Zimmermann speaks at the African Economic Conference 2018 in Kigali/Rwanda

Posted on December 2, 2018 by admin

Starting from Bruxelles airport, GLO President Zimmermann reached on 1 December 2018 the Marriott Hotel in Kigali/Rwanda that hosts the 3-5 December African Economic Conference 2018. Organized jointly by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), this year’s topic is “Regional and Continental Integration for Africa’s Development”. Zimmermann speaks in the prestigious opening plenary session 1, the “High-level panel on drivers, opportunities and lessons for Africa’s integration”.

“This session will engage high level principals from the collaborating institution as well as high-level experts, policymakers, and practitioners in sharing their reflections and perspectives on Regional and Continental Integration for Africa’s development. This will set the stage for the conference by outlining drivers, opportunities and lessons for more effective integration in all its dimensions (economic, social, political, environmental) and faster progress in meeting Africa’s development aspirations in terms of trade, migration, financial flows and innovation for Africa’s Integration.”

Moderator: Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant Secretary General and Africa Regional Director, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

Keynote Address: Prof. Paul Collier, Professor of Economics and Public Policy in the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford

Panelists:

  • H.E. Prof. Victor Harison, AUC Commissioner for Economic Affairs
  • Ms. Giovanie Biha, Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
  • Prof. Klaus F. Zimmermann, President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO); Co-Director of POP at UNU-MERIT; Full Professor of Economics at Bonn University
  • Prof. Ademola Oyejide, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Ibadan, Chairman, Centre for Trade and Development Initiatives (CTDi), Nigeria.
  • Prof. Emmanuel Nnadozie, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation

Rapporteurs: Linguere Mbaye (AfDB), William Davis (ECA), Elda Chirwa (UNDP)

Reaching the hotel lobby of the Kigali Marriott:

Out from the cold: Start at Brussels airport:
Arrived in Rwanda, which is known as “the land of thousand hills’’ and can literally be considered as the heart of Africa. Rwanda lies 121 km South of the equator in the Tropic of Capricorn, 1416 km west of the Indian Ocean and 1250 km east of the Atlantic Ocean:
…. and celebrating on December 2 next to the swimming pool an exotic birthday.


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(Aus-) Wege aus der europäischen Spaltung: Die wirtschaftliche Relevanz der Flüchtlingsfrage wird überschätzt.

Posted on December 1, 2018 by admin

Die Flüchtlingsfrage hat sich in der Europäischen Union zu einem politischen Sprengsatz entwickelt, der die Gemeinschaft an einer Überforderung zu einverständlichen Handlungen zu zerstören droht. Der Arbeitskreis Europäische Integration e. V. tat deshalb Recht daran, sein Jahreskolloqium 2018 am 29. und 30. 11. 2018 in den Räumlichkeiten der Schader Stiftung zum Thema „Migration und Inklusion von geflüchteten Menschen in der Europäischen Union“ durchzuführen. Es gelang mit Förderung der Europäischen Union und der Schader-Stiftung, ein hochkarätiges Programm (s. unten) mit intensiver Debatte zu gestalten.

Am zweiten Tag sprach GLO Präsident Klaus F. Zimmermann, aus Luxemburg kommend, zum Thema “Wer emigriert warum und wie gelingt die Integration in den Arbeitsmarkt?” vor den Konferenzteilnehmern. Er betonte die Notwendigkeit, die Kommunikation über Migration und Flucht zu verbessern. Fakten alleine würden nicht helfen, es sei nötig, “Kopf und Herz” zu bedienen. Wirtschaftlich könne Europa und Deutschland die Flüchtligsfrage allemal schultern.

Es sei aber zunächst nötig, die wirtschaftliche Zuwanderung zu reformieren (Zuwanderungsgesetz; Punktesystem). Schließlich brauche Deutschland Arbeitskräfte, aber das erleichtere auch die Flüchtlingsfrage. Auch müsse klar sein, daß eine politische und administrative Lösung europäische Gemeinschaftshandlungen nötig macht. Notfalls müsse eine “Koalition der Willigen” handeln. Schließlich müsse respektiert, ja gefordert werden, dass auch Flüchtlinge wirtschaftliche Gründe haben.

Daraus folge, daß alle Flüchtlinge nach Asyl-Antragsstellung einem arbeitsmarktpolitischen und bildungsbezogenen “Profiling” erhalten sollten, das die Herausforderungen wie die Potenziale für die Integration in  den Arbeitsmarkt offenlegt. Neben verbesserten Sprachkursen müssten sie effektive arbeitsmarktpolitische Maßnahmen erhalten. Ehrenamtliche Mentoren könnten die Integrationsbemühungen unterstützen. Flüchtlinge im Antragsverfahren sollten auch ganz selbstverständlich die Möglichkeit haben, sich für eine wirtschaftliche Zuwanderung zu qualifizieren, wenn sie die Voraussetzungen erfüllen. Mobilität bei Arbeitsaufnahme in Deutschland sei im deutschen Interesse zweckmäßig, nach Anerkennung auch innerhalb Europas.

Jedenfalls sind wirtschaftliche Lasten bzw. mögliche Vorteile wegen der releativ kleinen Zahl an Migranten gering. Die wirtschaftliche Relevanz der Flüchtlingsfrage wird also überschätzt.

*********************  Tagungsprogramm ****************************************

1. Tag; Donnerstag, 29. 11. 2018

 13:00h Begrüßung
Alexander Gemeinhardt
Vorsitzender des Vorstands, Schader-Stiftung, Darmstadt
Prof. Dr. Michèle Knodt
Vorsitzende des Vorstands des AEI, Technische Universität Darmstadt

13:15h Die europäische Asyl- und Flüchtlingspolitik
Prof. Dr. Florian Trauner, Vrije Universiteit Brussel

14:00h

Globale Migration und ihre Auswirkungen auf die Europäische Union
David Kipp, Forschungsgruppe Globale Fragen, Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik, Berlin

Verantwortung teilen im internationalen Flüchtlingsschutz: Eine unlösbare Aufgabe?
Dr. Johannes Muntschick, Universität Mainz

15:15h Kaffeepause

15:45h Grenzschutz der Europäischen Union
Carolin Marx, Institut für Europäische Politik, Berlin

16:30h Völkerrechtliche und unionale Vorgaben für den Zugang zum Asyl in der Europäischen Union
Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bast, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

17:15h Integration durch den Sport
Willi Hink, Beauftragter Entwicklung Verbände und Vereine
Deutscher Fußball-Bund e.V.

18:00h Abendimbiss

19:30h Podiumsdiskussion
Andreas Schwantner, Vorstand, ProAsyl e.V.
Matthias Eiles, Kommunalpolitiker und Mitarbeiter des DFB
Prof. Dr. Florian Trauner, Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Moderation: Prof. Dr. Michèle Knodt
Vorsitzende des Vorstands des AEI, Technische Universität Darmstadt

21:00h Ende des ersten Tages

2. Tag. Freitag, 30. 11. 2018

9:00h Soziale Kosten der Integration
Prof. Dr. Holger Bonin, Universität Kassel

9:45h Wer emigriert warum und wie gelingt die Integration in den Arbeitsmarkt?
Prof. Dr. Klaus F. Zimmermann
Präsident, Global Labor Organization (GLO); Direktor, POP at UNU-MERIT, Maastricht

10:30h Kaffeepause

11:00h Ökonomische Kosten und Nutzen der Integration
Prof. Dr. Timo Baas, Universität Duisburg-Essen

11:45h Die Steuerung von Flüchtlingsströmen nach Europa durch europäisches RechtDr. Reinhard Marx, Rechtsanwalt, Frankfurt am Main

12:30h Kaffeepause

12:45h Generationenbilanz und Zuwanderung – Die demographischen Folgen der Migration
Gerrit Manthei, Universität Freiburg

13:30h Mittagsimbiss und Ende der Tagung

*********************

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Economists discussed the nature of skills gaps and the future of labor in Luxembourg

Posted on December 1, 2018 by admin

Predictions of future labor markets suggest that 9 out of 10 jobs will require digital skills. However, more than 40% of Europeans currently do not have basic digital skills. And about 40% of the European companies report facing difficulties recruiting staff. In spite of skills gaps, wages do not rise significantly and unemployment rates remain high in may European countries. These challenges deserve attention.

Jan Svejnar of Columbia University and GLO as well as GLO President Klaus F. Zimmermann (also UNU-MERIT) discussed European skills gaps issues at a high-level conference on “Investment, Technological Transformation and Skills” organized on 28 – 29 November 2018 by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Central Bank (ECB) together with a number of additional experts.

The panel session headed by Jan Svejnar included also GLO Fellow Maarten Goos (Utrecht University).

*************

Session: Skills – what causes the gaps in the EU?

Chair: Jan Svejnar, Director of the Centre on Global Economic Governance, Columbia University and GLO

Klaus F. Zimmermann, GLO President and UNU-MERIT
Juan Francisco Jimeno, Head of the Research Division, Bank of Spain
Maarten Goos, Professor of Economics, Utrecht University and GLO
Inez von Weitershausen, Associate Industrial Performance Centre, MIT

Why    are    (missing)    skills    increasingly perceived   as   an   issue   by   firms?   The  panel focused on the nature of current skill   gaps   and  mismatches   in   Europe, disentangling   their   sources,   including the  role  of  cyclical  and  structural  drivers as   well   as   technological   change. The panel  also  shed  light  on  the  policy implications following from the different hypotheses.

**************

See also a previous report, and consult for more program details the conference agenda. Another significant role as a session chair of the conference played GLO Fellow Reinhilde Veugelers (Bruxelles University and Bruegel).

Spoke also at the conference: Nobel Prize Winner Jean Tirole (Toulouse School of Economics) during his lecture on “The future of labor and the university system in Europe”.

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High-level conference on ‘Investment, Technological Transformation and Skills’ in Luxembourg begins on November 28.

Posted on November 27, 2018 by admin
On 28 – 29 November 2018, the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the European Central Bank (ECB) organize a high-level conference on‘Investment, Technological Transformation and Skills’.
     The conference, which will take place at the EIB headquarters Luxembourg, provides an opportunity for leading academics, policy makers and practitioners to share their views and understandings on investment and financial challenges of our time, in particular those posed by technological transformation and the need to adapt workforce skills.
     Confirmed speakers include Werner Hoyer, Peter Praet, Luis de Guindos, Klaus Regling, Pier Carlo Padoan, Jean Tirole, Catherine L. Mann, Claudio Borio, Vitor Gaspar, Jean-Pierre Mustier, Klaus F. Zimmermann, Jan Svejnar, Debora Revoltella, Reinhilde Veugelers and many more.
     For more details consult the conference agenda.

     Klaus F. Zimmermann, UNU-MERIT, Maastricht University and President of the Global Labor Organization (GLO) gGmbH, will speak in a session on “Skills – what causes the gaps in the EU?”.

Zimmermann had received the (first) Outstanding Contribution Award 2013 of the European Investment Bank (EIB).

September 22, 2013: EIB President Werner Hoyer (left), Nobel laureate Christopher Pissarides (London School of Economics) and Zimmermann with the EIB Prize.

“Klaus F. Zimmermann received EIB Prize in Warsaw

The Luxembourg-based EIB Institute of the European Investment Bank awarded Klaus F. Zimmermann with the first European EIB Prize for excellence in social and economic research and its implementation and diffusion. Zimmermann was honored for his lifetime scientific contribution, including academic excellence and publication record as well as impact on public policy or society at large, with specific relevance to the prize’s topic, “Growth, employment and convergence, with applications to the European Union.”According to the prize committee chaired by Nobel laureate Christopher Pissarides (London School of Economics), Zimmermann‘s outstanding research on migration and labor market issues has “led to a better understanding of the forces at work in Europe and of suitable policy prescriptions.” EIB President Werner Hoyer presented the Prize during an award ceremony in Warsaw on September 19, 2013. In his acceptance speech, Zimmermann underscored the importance of free labor mobility within the EU and called for Poland’s swift accession to the Eurozone.”

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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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