Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 3, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The Association of the German Internet Industry (eco) and the German Association for the Digital Economy (BVDW) are announcing their cooperation on the occasion of CeBIT 2008. The cooperation agreed by Prof. Michael Rotert, Chairman of eco, and Arndt Groth, President of the BVDW, provides for closer collaboration between the two associations on training and continuing education, online content, political advocacy and networking.
Prof. Michael Rotert of eco comments: “In our contacts with politicians, we repeatedly find that there are considerable gaps in knowledge about the Internet. At least a basic technical understanding would actually be indispensable for many political decisions. Many politicians also form only an incomplete picture of the Internet industry’s economic importance, its business models and its prospects when, on IT matters, they primarily consult equipment manufacturers and traditional telecommunications providers. Through our cooperation, we want to join forces to convey a more realistic picture of the industry and its potential in Germany.”
“On the Internet, content is what matters,” emphasises Arndt Groth, President of the BVDW. “As a result of the trend towards convergence, access routes are receding into the background, access itself is becoming a matter of course for users, and attractive content is becoming the decisive factor in competition. In this country, people have only just begun to recognise the importance of games, for example, for Germany as a business location, because the debate revolved exclusively around risks for far too long. Companies that create high-quality information and entertainment on the Internet deserve support and protection from the typically German tendency towards overregulation.”
The BVDW brings its experience and wide-ranging commitment to training and continuing education to the cooperation. Only in December last year, the BVDW established an Academy of the Digital Economy. It also awards scholarships to young professionals who want to train as a Fachwirt Online Marketing BVDW. Business, too, is called upon to help combat the shortage of skilled workers. eco and BVDW are doing their part to fulfil this obligation.
To better bring together and represent the industry’s interests, the two associations will also use the excellent networking opportunities, particularly at local level, that eco brings to the cooperation. With an effective infrastructure of working groups and topic-focused industry meeting places, both eco and BVDW offer excellent forums for exchange and platforms for business success. While preserving the independent identities of both organisations, the existing networks are now to be strategically linked to give the interests and the industry greater weight and better meet companies’ specific needs.
Further information:
- eco
BVDW
