January 2015
The Second International German Forum was held at the Federal Chancellery on 19 and 20 January 2015, under the heading of What matters to people – innovation and society.
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Für die Kanzlerin ist die Frage der Innovationsfähigkeit nicht nur auf die Technik begrenzt, sondern es gehe auch um soziale und gesellschaftliche Innovationen.
Photo: Bundesregierung/Kugler
The key question of the second Forum addressed the prerequisites for wellbeing: "How do our societies generate innovations that improve wellbeing in a time of complex challenges and digital opportunities?" Participants discussed how the ability to innovate was a key determiner in developing solutions to global challenges. The starting point for the dialogue was a broad interpretation of innovation, encompassing social and systemic change as well as technological and economic advances.
Experts from around the world came to Berlin, to discuss innovation for quality of life, prosperity, and progress.
Peter Altmaier, Head of the Federal Chancellery, welcomes all participants to the opening session.
Chancellor Angela Merkel called for the will to embrace new ideas and new ways of resolving problems.
The International German Forum was spawned by the Chancellor's Dialogue on Germany's Future.
Suneet Singh Tuli has set himself the goal of giving the poorest three billion people in the world access to digital technology - with tablet PCs costing around 35 dollars.
Juliana Rotich from Kenya reported on her non-profit company Ushahidi. It develops open source software, but also hardware including an internet modem, which ensures a secure energy supply in spite of frequent power cuts.
International experts discussed the fundamental question, "What matters to people?"
John Kao, Chairman of the Institute for Large Scale Innovation, urged for worldwide support for young people to help them become innovators and contribute to social change.
For the Chancellor, the ability to innovate is not limited to the technical sphere; social innovation is also important.
The Chancellor said tolerance and mutual respect are important. "Tolerance is a major value, that must probably be learned within society."