German Ambassador delivers Inaugural Annual Lecture of the School of Government & Public Policy

The challenges facing sustainable economic growth in Europe were the subject a speech by the German Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Georg Boomgaarden, who gave the Inaugural Annual Lecture of the School of Government & Public Policy (of which the European Policies Research Centre is part) on 26th November. In his lecture entitled 'Europe's future after the crisis- political and economic perspectives'. Mr Boomgaarden spoke about several international challenges, including: building efficient institutions for EU-wide financial regulation; establishing a permanent mechanism for crisis resolution - with investors sharing the cost of support measures; and agreeing on treaty amendments to strengthen the stability and growth pact. Professor John Bachtler, who chaired the Lecture, said: 'We had great pleasure in welcoming Mr Boomgaarden to Strathclyde. He is greatly experienced in international affairs, and we heard with considerable interest his views on the current and future economic picture. The financial and economic crises have revealed deep-seated problems in financial regulation and economic management across the European Union. This is a critical period not just for the future of the eurozone but for the EU itself. As one of the world's largest economies and pivotal member of the EU, Germany is central to European economic stability and global recovery, but all EU Member States will need to collaborate for an effective strategy to succeed. Mr Boomgaarden's lecture offered valuable insight into how this can be achieved to deliver a secure economic future for Europe and the rest of the world.' In delivering the vote of thanks, Professor James Mitchell (Head of the School) commented that 'the theme of Mr Boomgaarden's speech was highly appropriate for this Inaugural Annual Lecture of the School. Our School specialises in European research on a wide range of contemporary public policy issues, advising many EU governments and European institutions on economic development. The School is internationally recognised for its teaching and research in international politics, governance and public policy'.