Jürg Stahl hosts meeting of parliamentary presidents of the German-speaking countries in Winterthur
The second annual meeting of the parliamentary presidents of the German-speaking countries was held in Winterthur from 14 to 15 July 2017. At the invitation of National Council president Jürg Stahl, the president of the Bundestag, Norbert Lammert; the president of the Landtag of the Principality of Liechtenstein, Albert Frick; the president of the Chamber of Deputies of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mars Di Bartolomeo; the president of the National Council of Austria, Doris Bures; and the president of the Parliament of the German-speaking community of Belgium, Alexander Miesen, took part in the conference.
In the course of informal discussions, the conference participants – inspired by the history of Winterthur – exchanged views on the «opportunities and challenges of structural change and the related parliamentary questions». The first day of the conference included a discussion among the parliamentary presidents and an exchange of experiences gained in their respective countries. Participants were given a guided tour of the former Sulzer site, and learned how this former industrial complex had been successfully converted and developed into a heterogeneous living, working and learning environment.
On the second day of the conference, the parliamentary presidents met with representatives from business, education, research and innovation promotion at the Swiss Science Center Technorama. Current challenges related to digitalisation, industry 4.0 and technological development were discussed in open talks. Issues raised included regulation, the emerging digital divide in society as well as other social, economic and environmental implications of the ever increasing speed at which technology advances. At the same time, however, participants also drew attention to the numerous opportunities that should be recognised and tapped into. This will require a certain degree of flexibility and adaptability, since – and here participants were in agreement – technological development is forging ahead and affects everyone.
The conference of the German-speaking parliamentary presidents increases cooperation on subjects of common interest, and also strengthens relations between the six countries. The six parliamentary presidents have again expressed their interest in holding the same conference again next year.