Report on the seminar ” Globalization & Market economy”

(The report is available in English only)

Date : 6-18. September 2009

Participant: Reuben Yanir – Project Manager, Economic Department of the Peres Center for Peace

I was given the opportunity by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation to participate in a seminar entitled: “Globalization & The Economic Crisis” that took place between the 6th – 18th of September. The seminar was held in a very interesting and unique global atmosphere: collapsing of banks, reservations regarding generations of successful economic methods, countries bailout plans and rising questions of new world order etc..

The group of participants consisted of 24 persons from around the globe, mainly from developing countries. The seminar was held at FNF’s International Academy for Leadership located nearby the town of Gummersbach, not far from the city of Cologne.

Welcoming:

I arrived at the seminar on the eve of September 6th and was greeted by the foundation staff (on which I will later elaborate). We had an opening dinner in which we were introduced to the other participants. As an Israeli it is always a special experience meeting people from other countries and cultures who are very much interested in my country’s politics, the ongoing Palestinian Israeli conflict and many other matters.

On the first day of the seminar we were given an introduction to the course schedule and logistic issues. The staff which consisted of Dr. Freier (facilitator), Ms. Gulmina (facilitator), Ms. Lamm (The Academy’s Director) and Ms. Dennis (course administrator), were always very much attentive, professional and added a lot of value to the course content.

The course tried to answer the question of what is Globalization in this age and time, from the different cultural perspectives of the participants. The Foundation invitees consisted of persons from all over the globe, which allowed maximum exposure to different attitudes.

Regional Globalization:

On the first day of the seminar the group was divided into a regional one, that means, each of the participants joined a group that consisted of members from his or her region. As an Israeli, without any doubt it was an amazing experience. For two hours I had the chance of sharing experiences and ideas with people from Jordan, Palestine, Morocco and Algeria. Although from time to time the conversation was difficult, it was one of the best lessons I had in the class. More important, at the end of this session the amazing thing was that we indeed managed to reach a document that consisted of all our similarities, hopes and views.

Globalization???

At the beginning of the seminar we were given a very big question, what is globalization mean. For us as individuals and for us as a group. Through out the 12 days of the seminar we all enjoyed lectures from leading academy researches, excursions in the city of Cologne and the port of Hamburg, different discussions in class etc’.

If you are looking for an answer, well, I am not sure yet. But from what I could see, globalization to me means getting closer to different cultures, different people. When I arrived to the seminar, I was afraid that the language of the people will be very different. Saying language does not mean in the literary manner but more in the identity. What I had found was amazing. We all managed to preserve our culture and heritage, but in a modern way, that enables each and every one to connect with the other. And that is what globalization means to me. Preserving ones past while embracing the modernity of the presence.

The seminar was conducted in a very interesting time of global economic depression. The participants described how this situation affects their countries, but we were given the chance by our hosts to see how the situation affects Germany. In an excursion to the beautiful city of Hamburg we were taken to the city’s port, one of the biggest in Europe. There we were given a lecture by a city guide who showed us the port but also the effect of Globalization and the economic downfall in the ports activity.

Participants:

As mentioned above the participants of the seminar were mostly from developing countries worldwide. It was an amazing experience to meet people with different attitudes and views regarding the effects of globalization on each culture and heritage. It was especially, for me as an Israeli, a rare chance to meet with people from Arab countries, who later became close friends of mine. The foundation, with no doubt, showed very good outcome in bringing high quality people that contributed immensely to the discussion.

Accommodation and Conditions:

We stayed at the Academy facilities in the city of Gummersbach. We were given full board. The facilities at Gummersbach were very good. The rooms were private and clean, we were given meals three times a day, and all of our needs were supplied.

Staff:

I cannot even begin to describe the high quality of the academic staff. From extensive knowledge in the field of globalization to excellent facilitation skills, without any doubt their contribution to the seminar was un-debatable. Alongside with them acted the logistic staff that attended our daily needs, at any time of the day and always with a smile.

Personal Words:

Without any doubt the experience I had at the seminar in Gummersbach was one of the best I participated ever. It will assist me a lot in my line of work to identify better the needs of a changing society both internally and worldwide.

I would like to thank the Academy and the staff here in Israel for giving me this opportunity, and hope to take part in the Stiftung’s future activities.