Delegation to Hanoi: Legal Dialog on Digital Rights & Assets in Vietnam & Germany

In mid-November 2024, I was invited by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom to take part in two workshops in Hanoi as part of the rule of law dialog between Vietnam and Germany.

Our discussions revolved around key topics of the digital space such as fundamental and property rights, digital assets and intellectual property. The dialog we had with academics, publishers, authors, entrepreneurs and government representatives on the balance between freedom of expression and copyright was particularly exciting.

I always enjoy discussing the order of the digital world. With this occasion and format, however, it was a very special and valuable opportunity to gain insights into the perspectives and challenges of both countries. Once again, it was striking that the conflicts of (digital) coexistence are quite similar in Vietnam, Germany and across the world.

Many thanks to the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Thekla Ebbert and Vanessa Steinmetz for the invitation and the opportunity to be part of the Rule of Law Dialogue.

Continue Reading

Speaking at European House in Berlin: The “Brussels effect” alone is not enough.

In October, I was invited by Sergey Lagodinskyto discuss the geopolitical dimension and effects of technological competition with Dr. Janka Oertel and Dr. Dimitrios Argirakos at the Europa Haus in Berlin. Even in the preliminary discussion, the panelists quickly agreed on what has been lacking in Europe in recent years. In recent years, Europe and Germany have rested too much on their own (economic) dominance in the tailwind of US and US-influenced rule-based globalization and must now enter the competition more confidently.

In my contributions, I have repeatedly emphasized that regulation alone will not take us forward. The paper-based financial system in particular will lose influence in the competition between systems in the long term and the new financial world will be increasingly determined by code. If Europe wants to maintain its position as an economic power, it needs innovation and we must offer the world a reliable financial infrastructure that is based on the rule of law and, above all, open.

The digital age is not determined by legislators, but by the code that is written and used.

Continue Reading