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| from left to right: Chairman of the board Deutsche Bank Foundation and member of the initiatives’ steering committee, Federal President Horst Köhler, Jürgen R. Thumann, President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and Chairman of the initiatives’ steering committee, Mike de Vries, CEO Marketing für Deutschland GmbH |
2008/01/15
“Germany – Land of Ideas” Initiative Hosts Its Annual Reception
Berlin, 14 Jan 2008 – Speaking to some 400 guests from business, politics and society, Federal President Horst Köhler commended the “Germany – Land of Ideas” initiative for its efforts. The joint nation-branding initiative between Germany public and private sectors presented the activities of the past year at its Annual Reception in Berlin.
President Köhler, the initiative’s patron, thanked everyone involved and interested in the initiative’s success for their support and great dedication during the past year: “Germany - a land of ideas! Ever since I conjured up this image in my inaugural speech, I have witnessed that there is no lack of ideas – only of support for them. The ‘Germany – Land of Ideas’ initiative provides an outstanding platform for motivation and encouragement, as there are people everywhere who want to make a difference. That is why I am grateful to German business that it has chosen to partner with the public sector in this initiative. It was a good idea to continue ‘Germany – Land of Ideas’ beyond the year of the 2006 Football World Cup. The ideas show no signs of running out – quite the opposite, as the ‘365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas’ contest demonstrates. My thanks, appreciation and respect to everyone involved.”
Jürgen R. Thumann, President of the Federation of German Industry (BDI) and chairman of the “Germany – Land of Ideas” steering committee, gave 2007 a positive scorecard: “The initiative’s projects and events positioned Germany with a clear message on international level. It helped Germany to increasingly see itself as an innovative and viable country. Our message of inventiveness and innovation is a good match for our new self-image. It has met with recognition. And if the message is credible to people in the country, it will persuade people beyond the country’s borders as well.” Thumann added that the “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” event series plays a major role in this.
Federal President Köhler spoke to representatives of the “2007 Landmarks” about the projects and ideas in the “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” contest. The popular event series, implemented in partnership with Deutsche Bank, is now in its third year. President Köhler ceremoniously accepted the latest book published to accompany the series, which presents the “Landmarks” of the year 2008. The German-language publication is now available in bookstores.
“365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” forms the core of the initiative’s activities in Germany this year. A focal point of the international activities is the three-year event series “Germany and China – Moving Ahead Together”, which is being organised by Germany’s Foreign Office in cooperation with the Goethe Institute, the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business, and the “Germany – Land of Ideas” initiative.
Slideshow from the event.
High-Resolution picture for Download
The Initiators
“Germany – Land of Ideas” is a joint nation-branding initiative by the German government and German business, represented by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Germany’s Federal President Horst Köhler is the patron of the initiative, which aims to convey a positive image of Germany at home and abroad and emphasise the country's strengths as a place of business. The core message of all activities pursued by the nation-branding initiative is “Germany – leading through innovation.”
Jürgen R. Thumann, President of the Federation of German Industry (BDI) and chairman of the “Germany – Land of Ideas” steering committee, gave 2007 a positive scorecard: “The initiative’s projects and events positioned Germany with a clear message on international level. It helped Germany to increasingly see itself as an innovative and viable country. Our message of inventiveness and innovation is a good match for our new self-image. It has met with recognition. And if the message is credible to people in the country, it will persuade people beyond the country’s borders as well.” Thumann added that the “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” event series plays a major role in this.
Federal President Köhler spoke to representatives of the “2007 Landmarks” about the projects and ideas in the “365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” contest. The popular event series, implemented in partnership with Deutsche Bank, is now in its third year. President Köhler ceremoniously accepted the latest book published to accompany the series, which presents the “Landmarks” of the year 2008. The German-language publication is now available in bookstores.
“365 Landmarks in the Land of Ideas” forms the core of the initiative’s activities in Germany this year. A focal point of the international activities is the three-year event series “Germany and China – Moving Ahead Together”, which is being organised by Germany’s Foreign Office in cooperation with the Goethe Institute, the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business, and the “Germany – Land of Ideas” initiative.
Slideshow from the event.
High-Resolution picture for Download
The Initiators
“Germany – Land of Ideas” is a joint nation-branding initiative by the German government and German business, represented by the Federation of German Industries (BDI). Germany’s Federal President Horst Köhler is the patron of the initiative, which aims to convey a positive image of Germany at home and abroad and emphasise the country's strengths as a place of business. The core message of all activities pursued by the nation-branding initiative is “Germany – leading through innovation.”
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