Michael Diekmann opens “The Future of Jobs” forum

“The subject of today’s conference could not be more timely,” said Michael Diekmann, CEO of Allianz SE in his opening speech. The recession Europe is in has underlined the urgency of developing more jobs and bringing more young people into the workforce. “How we tackle the job crisis in the euro zone could be decisive for the whole project of European integration,” adds Diekmann.

At the conference participants were invited to examine various aspects attached to the future of jobs, including the impact of migration, the demands of a diverse workforce, the lack of competitiveness in a number of European countries, and the role entrepreneurship plays in shaping people’s careers.

The conference focused not only on government policy but also on business management. Panels were organized to explore the competitive environment of high performers, define the roles of future leaders, and examine the way these changes will influence executive development in the future.

“Migration is not only a challenge for policymakers,” Diekmann said. “There is also a corporate responsibility to make it work – in our own interest: How successful companies are in managing a diverse workforce is a decisive factor for being competitive in the marketplace.”

The conference agenda also includes ESMT conferring this year's ESMT Responsible Leadership Award to the president of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi. According to the ESMT: “The award honors extraordinary leadership in promoting responsible business practices and is bestowed annually to an outstanding business figure who has demonstrated a deep commitment to the principles of sustainability and whose actions have inspired others.” The award was accepted on Draghi’s behalf by Benoît Cœuré, member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank.

Petra Krüll
Allianz SE
Phone +49.89.3800-2628
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