Demography, Education, Training, Employment

18 Oct Stimulating innovation

Belgium Academies (ARB)
2009
Innovation is now generally considered as an important prerequisite for a prosperous and expanding economy. As a consequence, any government anxious to boost the economic growth in its region should consider innovation as a priority. International comparative studies have repeatedly shown that, with regard to innovation, Flanders is lagging behind its neighbours despite the considerable financial means which are being spent to invigorate the innovation process. CAWET has followed with profound interest the innovation performance of the Flemish industry, and has regularly published its findings and recommendations (the last report was published in April 2001). In the present report an evaluation is made of the current innovation policy and the impact of the engaged financial means. Indeed, on the one hand injecting huge amounts of money in the economy is by no means a guarantee for a strong development of innovation. On the other hand, though, it is encouraging that progress has undoubtedly been made: innovation is now generally considered important and the government has given a high priority to innovation incentives.
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18 Oct Interaction between high school education and private enterprise

Belgium Academies (ARB)
2009
There is a gap between what students are taught in secondary schools and what the business world demands. The first part of this paper looks at the problem itself. There are several reasons why this gap exists, despite the high quality of our educational system. In the second part we look at the somewhat difficult relationship between the business world and the educational system. The business world is extremely heterogeneous and changes rather rapidly, while the educational system tends to be rather sluggish and is not able to respond immediately to all needs of the business world. The third part deals with the information given to our youth about technology, the possibilities of a career in the business world, and what obstacles remain in deciding to choose a job in the business world. In the fourth and last part suggestions are put forward for changing the organisation and structure of our educational system. Changes however must also be carried by society, including: parents, the business world, administration, youth movements and sports clubs. An all round education is certainly not the responsibility of the school only.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 8: Aging: Family, Civil Society, Policy

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
Demographic aging not only brings burdens and challenges to the family and civil society, it also offers new opportunities and chances. The volume on hand elucidates which problems policy—and the social state—have to solve and are capable of solving in societies with aging populations. German, English, American and Italian scholars and practitioners present new findings and perspectives.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 7: Aging and Health

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
The volume discusses the multifarious health problems entailed in increasing age and their repercussions for the individual, society, labor market and the care systems. The main focus is on lifelong prevention (nutrition, physical exercise, avoidance and/or treatment of risk factors), the rehabilitative care for older people as well as worksite health promotion.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 6: Aging and Technology

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
The volume illuminates, from a psychological, medical and engineering perspective, the way technology can ease the transition from middle-aged to advanced age and increase day-to-day competency. Technology that lends flexible support can make a contribution to the training of mental capacities, the support of day-to-day competencies and the monitoring of vital functions. Modern technology can reduce both health costs and the costs for social security as well as create growth potential.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 5: Aging in Community and Region

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
The focus of the volume is on the question as to how the location can exert an impact on aging and which conditions shrinking and growing, rural and urban, central and peripheral areas offer for quality of life and opportunities of aging. An overall perspective is developed on topics that are mutually fruitful for research on aging and research on cities and regions and constitute an intriguing interface for political activities. Spheres of activity on a local and regional level (work, education, health, participation, environment) are presented in great detail. The findings are supported by extensive graphical material and numerous examples so that a great deal of stimuli with respect to a policy sensitive to questions of aging is given.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 4: Productivity in Aging Societies

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
The volume deals with the issue of “productivity, competiveness and human resources in aging societies.” It contains contributions from an economic perspective but also investigates non-monetary aspects of productivity. In addition, it investigates the impact that demographic change has on the productivity of the economy, against the backdrop of international interdependencies. Measures are developed that are necessary in order to maintain and increase both productivity and the standard of living under the conditions of demographic change. Such measures should relate to the careful approach to and systematic further development of the human capacities on hand, i.e. the wealth of experience on the part of older employees. The situation in Germany takes center stage; but the experience gathered in other countries is also drawn upon.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 3: Aging, Work and Companies

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
The volume summarizes the state of knowledge in terms of the demographic change. In the process, it focuses on the topic of “work, aging and companies” from the perspective of business management. Effects in terms of employment, wages and productivity in companies are investigated; and the impact of institutional regulations is compared on an international level. Gaps in knowledge are closed by dint of new studies. The findings provide initial feedback on the question of which regulations and measures will serve to ensure and improve both the employment of older employees and corporate productivity in Germany.
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18 Oct Aging in Germany Volume 1: Images of Aging in Flux. Historical, intercultural, theoretical and current perspectives

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
The volume concentrates on the topic of “Images of Aging in Flux.” It contains contributions from a historical and comparative intercultural perspective and discusses the theoretical principles of images of age, stereotypes of age and discourses about age in the past and present as well as in various countries and cultures. Beyond that, the latest developments in the media and corporations, in Germany in particular, are given consideration. Social developments and long-term as well as current processes of change and the changeability of images of age are examined on a contextual level.
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18 Oct Results Report: Young Professionals Barometer – Engineering Sciences

National Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech)
2009
Many pupils in Germany have mistaken ideas about the engineering professions, as the findings of the “Young Professionals Barometer—Engineering Sciences” monitoring study show. On behalf of acatech, which is the German Academy of Science and Engineering, and the Association of German Engineers (VDI), scholars at Stuttgart University have collected extensive empirical evidence on technology socialization, technology education and factors of influence on the academic and occupational choices in Germany. The Young Professionals Barometer—Engineering Sciences confirms a number of the assumptions, some clichés among them; it also provides several downright surprising findings on questions that are keenly discussed in Germany.
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