Donnerstag, 01.10.2020 – The Digital Evolution

01 Donnerstag, 01.10.2020 – The Digital Evolution

Industrial and Digital Leadership – how Germany stayed ahead in the 21st Century and shaped the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Germany emerged post World War II as one of the world’s largest economies known for its productivity and quality standards. With a highly skilled labour force, a commitment to a rules-based society and a focus on engineering-driven innovation, it became a leading export nation admired for its automotives, machines, chemical goods and pharmaceuticals among others. However, the global transfer from an industrial age to a digital age and a stronger focus on ecological matters is not only creating opportunities (Industrie 4.0, renewable energies), but also a series of challenges for Germany.

On 1 October the opening event of Brisbane German Week 2020 was held at Queensland Parliament.

The event was co-organised with and hosted by the Australian Institute of International Affairs (AIIA) Qld. It was attended by 110 guests and almost 50 online viewers. Prof Michael Rosemann spoke on the topic outlined above followed by a discussion with the AIIA Qld State President The Honourable Paul Lucas MPIA, FAICD.

The joint discussion was followed by a mouth-watering Germany inspired BBQ at Parliament House featuring Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Bratkartoffeln, Gurkensalat and other traditional German specialties. Four string musicians from the Queensland Youth Orchestras provided musical entertainment.

Prof Michael Rosemann, Honorary Consul

Prof Rosemann took on his role as Honorary Consul of Germany in 2016 and established Brisbane German Week that year. In his presentation today, Prof Rosemann described four reasons as fundamental for Germany’s success story: the Marshall Plan and the EU, the principle of social economics, decisive leadership and “Industrie 4.0”. He outlined the four ongoing challenges to be experience design, platform economics, digital government and modern payment solutions. The script of his speech: “Industrialisation and Digitisation in Germany”.

The Hon Paul Lucas FAICD, AIIA Qld President

Honourable Lucas served as the Queensland Attorney-General and Minister for Local Government and Special Minister of State during the Bligh Government. He was the Local Member for Lytton from 1996 until his retirement in 2012. was held at Queensland Parliament co-hosted by the AIIA Qld with two presentations.