The aim is to provide decision-makers and the public with scientifically sound information about the mechanisms and implications of globalisation and to present new answers to current challenges in global trade. Today, a return to protectionism that might not have been considered possible is becoming tangible, threatening the established order of global trade with a dangerous crisis and putting future growth and prosperity at risk. The new protectionism thrives on the fertile soil of skepticism about globalisation, which has been increasing steadily since the economic crisis of 2008/2009 and is now even spreading through countries that have traditionally been trade-friendly. Calls to turn away from global processes are becoming louder, to the point that global trade is now at risk of reaching a stalemate.
In turbulent times like these, thought leaders are needed to bring sound, reliable information to the globalisation debate, thereby lending it greater objectivity, and to identify new approaches to master the challenges of global trade. For this purpose, the Kühne Foundation in cooperation with the Department of Economics at the University of Zurich initiates the “Kühne Centre for Sustainable Globalisation”, with the “Professorship for International Trade” at its core.
Prof. Dr. h.c. Klaus-Michael Kühne, President of the Board of Trustees of the Kühne Foundation: “As a logistics entrepreneur and donor, I have experienced that the entire global economy benefits substantially from globalisation. However, there is a real need for information and for action given that there is, at present, an increasing move away from free trade. Regulations on the movement of goods, capital and services and on commercial law that have become unworkable need to be reformed. With the University of Zurich and its renowned Department of Economics, the Kühne Foundation has found an ideal partner to identifying solutions for sustainable globalisation.”
“With its research, the University of Zurich aims to contribute to the discussion about the critical issues of our times,” explains Prof. Dr. Michael Hengartner, President of the University of Zurich. “Globalisation shapes our daily lives in many different ways. Thanks to this collaboration, we will be able to further expand the research field of international trade at the Department of Economics and lay the foundations