romania's new elite
Most reports on Romania focus on the stereotypes of former communist eastern European
countries in time of transition: such as poverty, underdeveloped rural areas, homeless
children, crime, corruption
Being aware of the fact, that in the West too, you will find similar stories easily, in this report I
wanted to reflect the ambitions, the inspiring energy I found in Romania, regarding a new upcoming
generation, preparing to take over the key positions in politics and economy.
Bucharest is such an energetic inspiring place. In spite of all the burden of the past, you will find
many young people working hard for a better future, going through the hardship of transition from a run
down formerly state owned economy to a modern, democratic, marked orientated system. Some of the difficult
parts for now: the new products are there already, just the money to purchase them is still missing, just
imagine a monthly payment of 200 to 300 dollars for excellent skilled professionals.
The birthplace of old and new talents is the ASE, the state owned Bucharest business school, both a place
of tradition (celebrating it's 90 years anniversary next year) and modernity, presenting some of the youngest
and most talented teachers, teaching 25.000 Romanian and some hundred foreign students business on the highest
competitive level. Three Romanian prime ministers graduated here. The students study abroad, there is a wide
range of interchange with Canadian, German, French and other European universities.
The report portraits some of ASE's youngest teachers and some of it's best students, looking for future
opportunities for their career within Romania or abroad. They all together form a future elite. Speaking
fluently English, German and or French, these young people are already prepared for the EU enlargement of
their country which will not be part of the first countries joining the EU in the east. The Business
Development Centre of the Chamber of commerce in Bucharest is the fist address for anyone planning to
invest in the growing Romanian economy.
I found more opportunities than obstacles concerning a Romanian EU membership after this visit in Bucharest
and besides the cultural enrichment and the historic responsibility the East offers a large field for
investment and potential for the EU economy to grew. We all should speed this process up instead of slowing
it down, especially in times of recession in the western European countries. The high demand for improvement
and the high motivation of young talents should be a wake up call for the west to join the efforts to build
these economies up in favour for a strong united European economy.
This was my second visit to Romania. I know the other side too, but I was happy to bring back some good news
after having had a more depressing impression two years ago [more]
already beeing inspired by the wonderful romanian people.
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