Event – ifo Branchen-Dialog (ifo Industry Colloquium)

ifo Industry Colloquium 2023

Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Clemens Fuest

8 November 2023 09:00 - 13:00

IHK für München und Oberbayern, Max-Joseph-Str. 2

Clemens Fuest beim ifo Branchen-Dialog 2020

The ifo Industry Colloquium is a platform for current topics from an industry-specific perspective. Experts from companies, associations, politics, and research explain current developments, trends, and challenges.

At this year’s event, we ask how the German economy and society can cope with and shape the changes brought about by demographic change. Workforces are aging and companies are finding it increasingly difficult to recruit personnel. Demographic change poses questions for our society in many areas, be it in further education, immigration, social security, or infrastructure. At the same time, new opportunities are emerging: older people are more agile than ever before, and their decisions as consumers, employees, and entrepreneurs are becoming increasingly important for the economy and society.p>

The conference, which is regularly organized by the Ifo Institute in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Munich and Upper Bavaria, is sponsored by the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy.

There will be two panel discussions highlighting the topic of “demographic change” across industry boundaries. The event is free of charge.

Programm

08.11.2023
09:00 Uhr	Welcome Kathrin Wickenhäuser-Egger Vice President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Munich and Upper Bavaria
09:10 Uhr	Demographic Change and Germany as a Business Location Prof. Clemens Fuest President of the ifo Institute
10:00 Uhr	Panel discussion „From a Shortage of Skilled Workers to a Shortage of Labor“
11:15 Uhr	Coffee break
11:45 Uhr	Panel discussion „The Economic Potential of Older People“
13:00 Uhr	Lunch buffet

Moderation

Dr. Cornelia Geißler (ifo Institute)

Panel Discussion „From a Shortage of Skilled Workers to a Shortage of Labor“

With the transition of the baby boomers into retirement, the shortage of labor is becoming increasingly noticeable. There has long since been a shortage not only of skilled workers but also of employees at all levels of qualification – whether in care, logistics, industry, or public administration. Our panel of experts will discuss possible solutions and report on best practices from their companies. Various approaches will be highlighted: more flexible transitions between employment and retirement to make better use of the experience and know-how of the older generation; lifelong learning to be able to adapt to the constantly changing requirements of the labor market; and digitalization as a decisive enabler for optimizing processes and freeing up valuable human resources. Last but not least, immigration and the integration of skilled workers from abroad can also counteract the labor shortage.

Experts

Dr. Yvonne Giesing (ifo Institute)
Denise Schurzmann (Managing Director, Krause GmbH)
Markus Keller (Head of Berlin Office, Institute for Municipal Data Processing in Bavaria)
Ralph Linde (Head, Volkswagen Group Academy)

Panel Discussion „The Economic Potential of Older People“

Demographic change requires companies and institutions to pay greater attention to the needs of older people when designing products and services – especially as the retirement of a particularly large number of cohorts is imminent. What economic opportunities will older people have in the future, and what changes in consumer behavior can be foreseen? What potential arises for companies from these upheavals, and how can older people themselves become entrepreneurially active? Moreover, in the future, older people will probably be more agile and more technologically savvy than ever before. What does this mean for quality of life as well as social participation? How can the necessary infrastructure for mobility, housing, and health services be made more “demographically resilient” at the national, regional, and municipal level?