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February 6, 2007 |
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 CONSUL
GENERAL HANS-JORG BRUNNERGermany 2007: European and Global Challenges By Rick Jackson German Consul General, Hans-Jorg Brunner delivered at fact-filled, all encompassing view of the new German/European economic model to The Charlotte Rotary Tuesday and with it, much to ponder. With a diplomatic background covering many years and different locations including Ivory Coast and French appointments, Mr. Brunner is currently the Federal Republic of Germany Consul General to the United States representing the 810 German companies already established in the southeast region - and other German interests who may locate here. Mr. Brunner now lives in Atlanta. To help us better understand the nature and impact of these German companies and to provide vision as to the engine driving the economic machine, Mr. Brunner takes us back to Germany and the European Union. In Germany and much of Europe, there is an ongoing reformation of the labor market. Parliament is working to create more harmony for those who suffer low wages and social benefits that seem to encourage more unemployment. Economic growth of 2% in Germany, which is solid by their economic standards, still trails US growth of 3.7% in 2007. Employment figures for the same period were 8%. The Finance Minister has called for a forced reduction of employment and seeks to balance social benefit reform. If some of this sounds familiar - welcome to a global economy. I found Mr. Brunner's correlation of early American history and current proceedings in the European Union fascinating while he related the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the creation of the U.S. Constitution as somewhat analogous to the 27 countries the European Union currently represents. Over 500 million people reside in the Union, a population 100 million greater than we find in America. It is one of the two or three most powerful economic unions in the world. The European Union also has a constitution and many of the ideas expressed in this doctrine will be reviewed and ultimately ratified in an important Union meeting this June. Meanwhile, focusing more on his native country, Mr. Brunner related the plight of the German Republic and their dependence on Russian energy supplies, which have become too expensive and unreliable. To counter their dependence on foreign energy supplies, German scientists, in cooperation with the government and business interests are working vigorously on alternative fuels, and renewable energy resources. Again, for his audience, a different but familiar story. Mr. Brunner believes that Europe is a good distance ahead of America in developing better energy programs and we could benefit from their expertise as we continue to move more quickly in this direction. In summary, Mr. Brunner believes that relations between Germany and America are rapidly improving and opportunities for our country to cooperatively create solid, new businesses that mutually benefit the U.S., Germany and the European Union are quickly evolving. It is in fact imperative, from his view, that the American economy strongly associate with our closest cultural, social and economic global partner - the European Union. Head Table: Elsie Garner, Powell Majors, Luther Moore, Kurt Waldthausen, Mrs. Brunner, Helmut Deussen; Invocation: Matt Joyner Visitors & Guests: George Robinette; Health & Happiness: Don Steger; Song: Alan Barnhardt; Piano: Thomas Moore
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Revised: January 24, 2008.