World Business Dialogue
The World Business Dialogue is the largest international student-run business convention that is annually hosted by the non-profit Organisationsforum Wirtschaftskongress (OFW). The World Business Dialogue is an impulse-congress, on which current innovations and social trends are analyzed and discussed regarding their impact on prevailing and chances on generating new business models. Therefore, it brings together excellent students with top-class personalities from economy, politics and science and offers them a platform for a cross-generational and cross-cultural dialogue. It was named as one of the 10 must-attend business student events in 2015.
Origin
The volunteer student initiative Organisationsforum Wirtschaftskongress (OFW) was founded as an association in 1984 and sees itself as a school for entrepreneurs. In 2013 it was converted into a non-profit company with limited liability. Each year the OFW offers around 40 students the opportunity to add practical experience to their theoretical knowledge by organising the annual World Business Dialogue which took place the first time at the [University of Cologne] in 1987. However, by that time it was called „Deutscher Wirtschaftskongress“ (German Economic Congress).
History: 1st - 6th German Economic Congress
The 1st German Economic Congress took place from 10 March to 11 March 1987 and dealt with the topic “The Space as market.“ Since the patron cancelled his attendance to the conference, the minister of foreign affairs, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, appeared as his representative and demanded a German space agency in his speech. Since the [Rote Armee Fraktion] assassinated the chairman of Siemens, Karl-Heinz Beckurts, who had been chosen as a speaker for the 1st German Economic Congress, the OFW was forced to intensify the security controls.
Starting with this foundation, the attention was especially focused on improving and expanding not only the organisation, but also the programme of the conference. First, a huge festival hall was built for the 2nd German Economic Congress on the Albert-Magnus-Platz in front of the University of Cologne which was supposed to reflect the university character of the event. Two years later, in 1991, there was the initiation of, for example, the still very popular workshops in which the students independently acquire and record results. By then, the German Economic Congress was known all over Europe and hence there was more foreign participants among students and speakers.
The 3rd German Economic Congress has been arranged alternatively via satellite in the USA, since, at that time, several American speaker were unable to travel to Germany, because of the threat of terrorism caused by the Golfkrieg
For the first time, during the 4th German Economic Congress, the conference reached an attendance of over 300 international students from all over the world whose arrival, accommodation and catering could be provided owing to a revised and very much improved organisation of logistics. Now the application for the German Economic Congress happened through an essay competition in one the four different departments of the topic of the congress - „Human Ressource“. Furthermore, for the first time, Hermann Simon, from the [Universität Mainz] hosted both days of the German Economic Congress as a chairman. In all of these years, more and more prestigious and international speaker were recorded. Without their participation, the development of the German Economic Congress presumably would have been a great deal slower.
A Highlight in the history of the German Economic Congress is the participation of Microsoft founder Bill Gates during the 5th German Economic Congress in 1995. Since the interest in his speech was so tremendous, it was also broadcast to the auditoriums next door so that all the students had the opportunity to hear hear the speech. But not only the students were very interested in the German Economic Congress, the press as well showed a lot of attention towards the event. Besides Bill Gates the following well-known individuals happened to be speakers during the 5th German Economic Congress: August-Wilhelm Scheer, Lothar Spätz, Heinz Dürr, Rajiv Shah and many more.
Since the German Economic Congress is now known far beyond the German borders, it has been decided to give the 6th event the English title “Return on Globalization“
Also here there were several problems that needed to be dealt with. For example, the question whether the usually planned location could be used arose, since the scientific faculty wanted to hold a bigger event there at the same time. But because the OFW was actively supported by the Cologne professorate, in the end, it was possible to hold the 6th German Economic Congress on the Albert-Magnus-Platz of the University of Cologne. All important information regarding the event were available via the congress-owned intranet. Lasting memories at the end provided the Indian winner of the essay competition who invited all of the participants of the congress to his home.
7th World Business Dialogue
The German Economic Congress on the issue “Rethinking Knowledge – Labour, Education and Business in the Knowledge Society“ was held for the first time under the contemporary name World Business Dialogue in 1999. Nearly 70 nations were represented at the conference. A cultural highlight of the 7th World Business Dialogue was the art exhibit „Arts of Knowledge“. The artworks of six artists who dealt with the subject „Knowledge“ in different ways were displayed in a tent which has been put up just for this purpose. Several German chairmen of large scale enterprises gave a lectures at 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
Because of the many reorganisations in the field of economy – referred to as “New Economy“ - the 8th World Business Dialogue under the heading “Net Planet – Strategist for a new Economy“ aimed to debate the versatile effects and the consequence of this alteration on economy, politics and society, as well as the demands regarding work, educational structures, entrepreneurial and political decisions and strategies resulting from it. To achieve this, the processes of change and the impact of the digital networking on the companies and the economical environment was considered and analysed. The question of the further development of the linked-up economy and a visionary forecast into the future formed the end of the 8th World Business Dialogue.
Speakers at the 8th World Business Dialogue (Selection)
Roland Berger, John R.H. Bond, Rolf-E. Breuer, Marie Livanos Cattaui, Hans Joachim Körber, Martin Kohlhaussen, Klaus Mangold, Heinrich von Pierer, Jürgen Weber.
9th World Business Dialogue
The conference focused on the phenomenon “volatility“, detached from pure considerations of the capital market, and showed possible success strategies in a constantly changing environment. On the one hand, causes and effects in an increasing volatility were analysed and the resulting challenges for economy, society and politics critically discussed. On the other hand, the major topics regarding entrepreneurial success in an inconsistent environment were the center of this conference of strategy.
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
“Transforming the Company – How to face Dynamic Forces“ was the issue of this jubilee conference. The main topic were entrepreneurial changes and developments which arise from a constantly changing environment. The disputes focused the necessity of the radical realignment. In the evening of the first day of the congress, company directors such as Josef Ackermann, Frank Appel, Mark Fields, Manfred Wennemer and Rolf Schmidt-Holtz discussed a new culture of leadership and counted the ability to transform, flexibility, communication, sincerity and team spirit amongst the vital characteristics. Furthermore, lectures on the opportunities and risks of globalisation, the technological progress and the digital world which the company of tomorrow will have to deal with, were given. Despite concerns prior to the conference, the 10th World Business Dialogue was a success - not just in the eyes of the patron Gerhard Schröder. Amongst other the Tagesthemen and the Deutsche Welle reported on the conference.
Speakers at the 10th World Business Dialogue (Selection)
Josef Ackermann, Frank Appel, Mark Fields, W. Chan Kim, John Nailsbitt, Andrew Robertson, Rolf Schmidt-Holtz, Adrian Slywotzky, Manfred Wennemer.
11th World Business Dialogue
“Population Dynamics – Ageing Societies & Megacities – Opportunities for Corporate Growth“ was the issue of the 11th World Business Dialogue. Topical focus was on the development of globalisation as well as urbanisazion and the ageing of the population. The central question was, how companies are able to react to population changes. In megacities, for example, companies are able to improve the living conditions of the citizens with innovations (medical solutions, energy efficiency) and grow along with these innovations as well. Urbanisation as well as the demographic change, the persisting aging of society, cause a necessity to rethink and adjust old business models. Aim of the conference was to draw the attention of the entrepreneurs to the demographic challenges and to encourage them to actively take part in the restructuring. The capabilities of these worldwide changes and ways to use them should be discovered.
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 was about the topic “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,who now works for Georgetown University, Martin Seiwert, Peter Nolan, Richard Hausmann, Richard Pott, Rolf Buch, Steve Welsh, Sven Giegold, Wang Yingming, Wolfgang Hartmann.
13th World Business Dialogue 2010
“Crisis Demands – The End to Anything Goes“ was the topic of the 13th World Business Dialogue, focussing the most serious economy crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s. The conference illuminated the crisis and the requirements for an overcoming from different perspectives and offered a framework for innovative and interdisciplinary solution approaches. Besides a great number of workshops and other supporting formats, especially the main panels provided the topical top priorities. Using profound contribution to the discussion, those panels inspired the participants to critically reflect upon the 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 Kreuz, Erik Hölzl, Robert C. Walscott, Norbert Walter, Michael Träm, Hugh Sullivan, David B. Speer, Oliver Rosenthal, Frank Riemensperger.
14th World Business Dialogue 2011
“Managing Complexity – The Art of Collective Consequences“ was the issue of the 14th World Business Dialogue. Great value was placed on examining markets from all perspectives and discussing developments referring temporal, cultural and enhanced components. Moreover, also changes that are ascribed to the evolution of the digital world were captured.
Speakers at the 14th World Business Dialogue (Selection)
Prof. Dr. Axel Ockenfels, Rolf Buch, Bernhard Mattes
15th World Business Dialogue 2012
The 15th World Business Dialogue was held at the University of Cologne on 14 and 15 March. The main focus was on the issue “Checkpoint Consumption“.
Speakers at the 15th World Business Dialogue (Selection)
Rüdiger Grube, Kurt Bock, Georges Strongylis, Samuel Korfmacher,[1] Harold Krikke
16th World Business Dialogue 2013
The 16th World Business Dialogue took place at the University of Cologne on 13 and 14 March 2013 and dealt with the topic “Next Generation Business Strategies – Finding New Ways to Succeed“. For the first time, there was a student among the entrepreneurs, politicians and scientists on stage, taking part in the discussion the panel “Human Factors“.
Speakers at the 16th World Business Dialogue (Selection)
Daniel Mahler, Bernd Kolb, Lars Feld, Niek Jan van Damme
17th World Business Dialogue 2014
The 17th World Business Dialogue took place on 13 and 14 March 2014 at the University of Cologne. This time, the discourse was about “Disruptive Innovation“ and dealt with the influence of disruptive innovations such as for example artificial intelligence or “Machine to Machine“ communication on existing and new business models.
Speakers at the 17th World Business Dialogue (Selection)
Auma Obama, Prof. Dr. Viktor Mayer-Schönberger, Pascal Finette, Tim Cannon
18th World Business Dialogue
„Power To The People – Redefining Interdependencies In A Trembling World“ was the topic the World Business Dialogue dealt with from 08 - 13 March 2015 at the University of Cologne. Changing power structures in different dimensions, such as between employer and employee, politician and citizen or between companies, were the issue.
Speakers at the 18th World Business Dialogue (Selection)
David Hilton, Robert Epstein, Catharina van Delden, Ksenia Yolkina