25 Years of ZEW – ZEW's Contribution to Incisive Scientific Discourse in Europe

On 8 December 2016 the Mannheim-based Centre for European Economic Research (ZEW) celebrated its 25th anniversary with a ceremony attended by around 300 guests. Partners and patrons from the worlds of politics, science and industry used their welcoming speeches to pay a resounding tribute to the institute's achievements as an outstanding research institution which has spent the last 25 years conducting research at the highest level.

"ZEW's expertise is respected by both the general public and the scientific community," said State Parliament Member Theresa Bauer, Head of the ZEW Supervisory Board and Baden-Württemberg's Minister of Science, at the beginning of the event. "I would like to encourage ZEW to continue along this path and to shape economic discourse." Bauer added that, particularly in these times in which the public mood seems to be driven by fear and emotion, the people of Germany and Europe were in great need of this kind of fact-based expertise and academic analysis as well as the ability to translate this expertise into a comprehensible and effective contribution to the debate.<o:p></o:p>

She listed examples such as the trade agreements CETA and TTIP with Canada and the USA respectively, to illustrate how difficult it can be to explain and make economic policy transparent for the public. Researchers therefore should not shy away from providing brief and concise answers on the basis of complex empirical analyses, she said. "ZEW is already making well-informed and intelligent contributions to the discourse at both the national and European level," added the Minister. "The institute can be sure of the continued support of the government of Baden-Württemberg as it continues in its efforts to consolidate its position in Europe and strengthen its international outlook," stressed Bauer.<o:p></o:p>

"ZEW is initiating important debates surrounding economic policy"<o:p></o:p>

Alongside the Minister of Science, both Dr. Alexander Selent, Chair of the ZEW Sponsors' Association for Science and Practice and Professor Dr. Ernst-Ludwig von Thadden, President of the University of Mannheim, paid tribute to their many years of trustworthy cooperation with ZEW in their welcoming speeches.  Dr. Alexander Selent emphasized how fruitful the dialogue between science and practice had proven to be. He said, "ZEW has and will continue to initiate important debates surrounding economic policy." Professor Dr. Ernst-Ludwig von Thadden laid great emphasis on the palpable "spirit of academic curiosity" to be found at ZEW to this day. He also highlighted the need to adapt to the changing values of modern society. "Looking toward the future, we must increasingly learn from one another and grow together," he said.<o:p></o:p>

Similarly, in his opening address ZEW President Professor Achim Wambach, PhD stressed that a separation of science and values is a balancing act. "Without the freedom of research, there can be no rational debate." Wambach also added that this rational debate, this striving towards the best ideas, has always been a distinguishing feature of Europe. "ZEW thus has the obligation to make its contribution to the European culture of markets and ideas," concluded Wambach.<o:p></o:p>