Johann Schneider-Ammann at the Vontobel Impact event
A video interview with the former Federal Councillor and successful entrepreneur
Already during his time as Federal Councillor, Johann Schneider-Ammann stepped up to address the country’s innovation gap. In the wake of the Bitcoin and blockchain hype, he declared that the digitization of Switzerland was a top priority. He emphasized the urgency of this issue at the Vontobel Impact event on July 1, 2019 which addressed the theme "A Europe of Regions – Model for the Future?"
Johann Schneider-Ammann in a video interview. On July 1, 2019, the former Federal Councillor visited the Vontobel Impact event on the theme "A Europe of Regions – Model for the Future?" © Video: Vontobel 2019
Follow a focused approach, instead of setting up too many works in progress all at once: This is the only way Europe can close the gap with the USA or China, says former Federal Councillor Schneider-Ammann. He sees this focus above all fixed on the field of digital education. Young people need to be able to approach digital technologies without anxieties, he said. They need to grow up with them. This applies to Switzerland as well as to Europe. The Swiss system as a model for the EU In our video interview with Johann Schneider-Ammann, you’ll learn where the former Federal Councillor sees opportunities for Europe. And what, if he were President of the European Commission, he would prescribe as the EU’s top priority.
About Johann Schneider-Ammann
From 2010 to 2018, Johann Schneider-Ammann served as Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs. In 2016 he was elected Federal President. An electrical engineering graduate, he held numerous board appointments before his time as a politician, mainly in the engineering, electrical and metal industries, whose association "Swissmem" he presided over for a decade.
Who are we? How do we live today? And how will European policy change our lives? How the future will unfold is preoccupying society more than ever, with engineers, doctors, politicians – each one of us, in fact – seeking answers. This interview with Johann Schneider-Ammann is one of many contributions that shed light on the theme “Digitized Society” from a new, inspiring perspective. We are publishing them here as part of our series “Impact”.
