Topic YMC 2002
This year's conference topic is
POLITICS AND AEROSPACE: INDUSTRY AND WORLD AFFAIRS INTERACTIONS.
The aerospace industry and the world of politics have always had close relations. Two seemingly separate worlds, one of world affairs and one of private industry companies have indeed ever had interactions on social, economical, diplomatic and strategic levels.
The civil air transportation industry for example is very much dependent on governmental and international institutes. Governmental support for airlines, flag carriers, fair trade regulations, air traffic control measures and airplane manufacturers’ regulations are only a few examples. The defence and space sector is another explicit example of these politics and industry interactions. New types of international conflicts alter the needs in armament and therefore have an important impact on the development of the industry. Moreover global diplomatic and political affairs request support from space and defence developments. Subjects as national security, foreign policy and military strategy of countries are often dependent on technological strength.
All of these, at first hand, implicit relations have become explicit and a “hot topic” in the wake of the 11th of September 2001 incidents.
The Young Managers Conference 2002 on the theme of “Politics and Aerospace: Industry and World Affairs Interactions” wants to give a deeper insight into the relations between these two interacting worlds. Speeches and panel discussions will be focused around two major topics: the interactions of politics with the defence and space sector will be discussed in one part of the conference, its relations with the civil air transportation sector during a second part. The conference wants to investigate how these different ever-existing and on-going interactions have developed in the past and are going to play a further important role for the future of the aerospace and defence industry.
Politics and Defence & Space Industry Interactions.
This part of the conference is focusing on the relations between the defence and space industry and the world of political affairs. An emphasis is put on the geopolitical and strategic importance of both industry sectors. To give a broad perspective on this subject expert guest speakers are invited to cover some critical topics.
One topic is the creation of a joined European army and the influence it will have on the shape of the aerospace and defence industry. How is a change in the European military policy to be reflected in the defence and space industry?
Another main topic addressed during this part of the conference is the influence of new types of conflicts on defence developments and military procurement. Post cold war conflicts as Kosovo and Afghanistan have brought up new armament needs. How is this going to influence the future strategic development of the industries concerned?
These new types of conflicts also influence the future of the space industry that will be addressed in this part of the conference. More precisely, what will be the strategic importance of space developments in navigation, reconnaissance and communications systems?
Politics and Air Transportation Industry Interactions.
This part of the conference is dedicated to the relations between the civil air transportation industry and the world of politics. The main focus is placed on the evolution of the air transportation industry and its importance from an international economical development perspective. To cover a broad range of aspects on this subject, guest speakers from major aviation companies and regulating institutions are invited to cover some current hot topics.
A first one is the relation between the evolution of air traffic and international transportation policies as well as air traffic control. How will international institutions and governments regulate societal aspects as airport development, environmental issues, employment and airspace congestion related to the evolution of air traffic?
Another major topic in this part of the conference is governmental support to airlines, the issue of fair trade and the related topic of the national pride that pushes countries to have their own flag carrier. What is the role of governments in the evolution of airlines from state-owned flag carriers to private companies? How is fair trade regulated internationally in this context? How does this influence the strategic view of aerospace industry companies?
In addition to speeches, an interactive panel discussion has the intention of directly confronting key actors in the world of air transportation (airlines, airports and regulating/governmental organizations representatives) for an open debate on the future of the civil air transportation sector and its influence on the aerospace industry.
