Yesterday Germany's former Minister of Finance, Peer Steinbrück, gave a speech at the German Symposium, organised by the German Society of the LSE. In his speech on “Challenges in the second decade of the 21st century – A German point of view” Mr Steinbrück put special emphasis on the financial crisis but also highlighted the issues of social inequality and demographic change. Afterwards the audience was able to ask questions which were broadly answered by the former minister.

If you are interested in listening to the entire speech, please contact the press office of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in London.

Enlarge image Ambassador Boomgaarden giving the inaugural address at the German Symposium (© German Embassy London) On Monday, the German Ambassador, Georg Boomgaarden, gave the opening address at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel.

The topic of the evening was “Agenda 2020: Visions for pressing issues”. The organisers invited representatives of five political parties to take part in a panel discussion: the Greens (Claudia Roth), the Conservatives (Erwin Huber), the Left (Klaus Ernst), the Social Democrats (Dr Wolfgang Thierse) and the Liberals of the European Parliament (Dr Jorgo Chatzimarkakis). An hour long debate was followed by questions from the audience.

Further events this week:

Thursday, 4 Feb 

6 pm - 7 pm LSE, NAB 2.04

Speech: Perspectives on the German economy after the crisis

Frank Mattern - CEO McKinsey Germany

Friday, 5 Feb 
2 pm – 3 pm LSE, Room D202
Speech: The influence and responsibility of the media

Ulrich Wickert - Journalist/author and former anchorman of German Public Broadcasting (ARD)

5 pm – 6.30 pm LSE, Room NAB2.04
Panel discussion: German entrepreneurship 

Alexander Straub - Straub Ventures
Felix Haas - amiando
Lukasz Gadowski - Team Europe Ventures

8 pm - late Underground Bar
Oktoberfest at LSE
(Tickets can be purchased on Houghton Street during the week)

For further details visit:
http://lse-germansociety.de