8th BMBF Services Conference, „Creating the Future with Services, April 22–23, 2010 at the bcc Berlin

Greeting

At the beginning of the new decade, we are facing great global challenges. That is why we are continuing our High-Tech Strategy, focusing on health and nutrition, energy and climate protection, security, mobility and communication. Intersecting all these fields, services play a vital role. In order to tap the potential that services have for sustainable development in the economy and in society, we have to identify the special contribution of innovative services to dealing with such challenges. This is, at the same time, a key to sustainable growth and to a leading position on the world market for the German services industry.

The 8th Services Conference entitled “Creating the Future with Services” to be held in Berlin on April 22 and 23, 2010 will provide new impetus and open up new perspectives. How do we link new technologies with knowledge about innovative service concepts? How do we establish a basis such that Germany is well positioned at the decisive interfaces to systemically solve global challenges? This requires the joint efforts of all players from science, business and government.

The services conferences have been held every two years since 1996, and allow the Federal Ministry of Education and Research to forge links between business, science, and government. This year’s services conference, “Creating the Future with Services”, offers a platform for interdisciplinary exchange. National and international experts from science and business present current research findings and successful practical examples. Furthermore, twelve panels will also provide a window on the future – looking at new trends, needs and research areas for services research.

I am delighted to invite you to the 8th Services Conference in Berlin. Services provide pioneering contributions to solving global questions for mankind. Let’s create the future together!

Prof. Dr. Annette Schavan, Member of the German Bundestag
Federal Minister of Education and Research