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Applications now open for the EU- Australia Leadership Forum’s 2018 Emerging Leaders Forum

The EU-Australia Leadership Forum has announced a Call for Applications for the 2018 Emerging Leaders Forum which will take place in Brussels from 18-22 November 2018.

Applications are invited from young (35 years and under) Australian and EU citizens/permanent residents who have proven their potential leadership ability in diverse professional backgrounds including government, business, civil society, academia and the media.

Successful applicants will have their flights, accommodation, transfers and other forum expenses fully supported by the EU-Australia Leadership Forum.

For more information, including detailed eligibility requirements, please visit www.europeaustraliaforum.eu

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Insights from Queensland University of Technology Breakfast in Frankfurt

How can we live better while living longer? Members and friends of the German Australian Business Council had the opportunity to hear some of the latest research and insights from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Faculty of Health’s Professor Ross Young, Executive Dean; Professor Greig de Zubicaray, Assistant Dean (Research); and Professor Remco Polman, Head of School.

Professor Young started with an overall introduction to QUT’s strengths in clinical health, biomedical and health technology research. He then spoke about his own research around genetic testing to provide early detection and care for mental health, which has become a priority for many governments and communities in recent years. Professor Zubicaray, who specializes in the neurobiology of language and memory, highlighted that policies and regulations have yet to catch up with the increased number of self-help health devices and apps. Greater collaboration between government, institutions and organizations will need to be in place to ensure consumer privacy and security while establishing efficacy and safety. In addition to mental health, Professor Polman emphasized that it was important to ensure physical health across all ages from adolescence to old age. Much of his research has centred around behavioural change and understanding motivations and fears, such as fear of falling among the elderly.

 

It was a mentally active and simulating morning for participants as they learnt about the latest health research developments in Australia. Wwe look forward to hearing more about QUT’s collaboration and work in Germany next time!

 

 

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Corporate Member Austrade: Vacancy for Passports and Consular Officer in Frankfurt

German Australian Business Council corporate member, Austrade, currently has a full time position for a Passports and Consular Office available in Frankfurt.

For more information, please go to:

https://austradejobs.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.listJobs&JobCategoryID=472992D2-DF83-2E9D-155E-6DB0CEBC1C97&BrandID=8B5941B9-D67D-4B0C-933D-9DB401353EDE

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/625517832/

 

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German Australian Business Council meets International Business Councils Munich

In 2017, the International Business Council Munich (IBCM), a business networking forum that brings together members of 16 international business organizations active in the Munich area was launched. The IBCM’s mission: “To combine the strengths of the participating IBCM groups in joining for business events of mutual interest and in addressing topics of common interest.  An umbrella organization, the IBCM provides an organizational interface, supports the sharing of ideas, facilitates making new business contacts, and stimulates learning.”

The International Business Council Munich (IBCM) held a Kick-off Event on Tuesday, 13th March 2018.

The event featured Keynote Speaker Dr. Wolfgang Hübschle, Executive Director, Invest in Bavaria with “Disruptive Technologies and the Effects on Local Marketing”.

Afterwards each IBCM organization provided a 2-minute elevator speech on its group’s key features and upcoming events. GABC board member Elisabeth Opie gave an excellent overview of our business council, including its mission statement and outreach.

More than 100 guests enjoyed a buffet dinner with networking in the foyer. In parallel, members of each organization were available for informal discussions on their respective groups.

The currently participating 16 IBCM organizations are:

Anglo Bavarian Club (ABC)

American-German Business Club Munich (AGBC)

Chinaforum Bayern e.V.

Deutsch-Französischer Wirtschaftsclub in Bayern / Le Club

Deutsch-Japanische Gesellschaft (DJG) in Bayern e.V.

Deutsch-Japanischer Wirtschaftskreis e.V. (DJW)

Deutsch-Kanadische Gesellschaft e.V. (DKG)

Deutsch-Niederländisches Geschäftsforum e.V. (DNG)

German American Business Association (GABA-California) – Munich Chapter

German Australian Business Council e.V. (GABC)

German-Indian Roundtable (GIRT)

German Malaysian Round Table (GMRT)

Irish Business Network (IBN)

Münchner Kreis (MK)

Österreichisch-Bayerische Gesellschaft e.V./Austrian-Bavarian Club (ÖBG)

Professional Women’s Network (PWN)

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Luncheon with Australian cyber security delegation in conjunction with Austrade- Munich

Some members  and friends of the German Australian Business Council had the pleasure of participating in a luncheon meeting with a cyber security delegate group from Australia on the 16th of February, 2018 in Munich.

As the Australian delegates were in Germany to attend the Munich Cyber Security Conference 2018, they also took the opportunity to engage in a wider program of briefings and customer engagement opportunities  in both Munich and Berlin. These visits included meetings with government and policy stakeholders, corporations, academics and R&D institutes with an interest in the areas of cyber policy, financial services, artificial intelligence, future mobility and defence supply chain.

Over the informal lunch, guests had the opportunity to build new networks and to discuss both the German and Australian business and policy environment for cyber security companies and strategies for business from a bilateral perspective. Special guest Dr Tobias Feakin, Australian Ambassador for Cyber Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) was present to discuss these issues with the attendees.

The German Australian Business Council is very grateful to Kelly Sims and the team from Austrade for providing the opportunity to attend such an interesting event.

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New .AU Top-Level Domain Name

Top level domain name xxx.au is likely to be available soon. The .AU Australian Domain Administration Ltd is completing a policy review which has suggested one of the most significant changes in the registration system. Currently, Australia does not enable a domain name registration with simply the company name extension. Businesses register using the so-called “second level domain” .com.au extension and other extensions, such as .org.au are available for other types of entities and personal websites. This is different than Germany or Europe, for example, which both allow direct .de or .eu registration for a domain name.

Other countries have changed over the past few years. France, for example, changed its system many years ago to allow top-level registration in the form of the .fr domain name registration.

The biggest issue on starting the .au top-level domain name will be the initial allocation. How will this be achieved – on a first-come-first-served basis? Or will users of the corresponding .com.au get preference? Or could it be a lottery? What about currently registered trademarks or business names? AUDA has recently issued a policy document outlining options, which can be read here.

The rules for foreign entities with no presence in Australia are also being discussed. Should the .AU domain name be generally available or only open to those who have a trademark registration, for example?

Whatever the final decision on how the registration process is carried out, the opening of the namespace is a significant and long overdue step in modernising the registration system for domain names.