For over 20 years<\/strong> now I have been both professionally<\/strong> and privately<\/strong> committed as an active globaliser<\/strong> and long-standing networker<\/strong> in the fields of business, media, culture and politics.<\/p>\n Four years travelling on a German diplomatic passport \u2219 50 cities \u2219 15 nations \u2219 6 continents \u2219 <\/strong>already as a child I attended school in many different countries. My experience shows \u00a0\u2026<\/p>\n Cities have always had a great impact on our networked global events<\/strong>. For over 1,000 years<\/strong> cities have driven our international trade<\/strong> forward.<\/p>\n For a long time now, we have observed the key links that exist between our urbanisation<\/strong>, our international relations<\/strong> and our globalisation<\/strong>. From the old oriental trade routes<\/strong> to our densely networked world of today<\/strong>.<\/p>\n From the 1980s to the 1990s our world was dominated by just one country. The \u201cUnited States of America\u201d<\/strong>. Only after this did other key powers follow, like \u201cEurope\u201d<\/strong>, \u201cChina\u201d<\/strong>, \u201cIndia\u201d<\/strong> and \u201cJapan\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n But with today\u2019s billions of global links <\/strong>and the worldwide democratisation <\/strong>of data, information and news<\/strong> we have created our joint \u201cgeopolitical marketplace<\/strong>\u201d where just one law prevails …<\/p>\n Many cities have developed over the past few years into urban archipelagos<\/strong>. At times, the great cityscapes boast more international importance<\/strong> and greater economic value<\/strong> than many states<\/strong><\/p>\n For instance, currently we would consider the \u201cPearl River Delta\u201d<\/strong> in China<\/strong> among the 20 most important industrial nations in the world<\/strong> [G20<\/strong>] if it were an autonomous country.<\/p>\n With their huge cultural diversity and constant rise in population numbers these urban archipelagos will heavily accelerate our globalisation.<\/p>\n Cities can even be very successful within failed states. A country, on the other hand, has no chance of survival without a city capable of surviving<\/p>\n Governments spend money on defence. But when we compare figures we immediately realise that by far the top priorities<\/strong> of almost all countries are huge investments<\/strong> in our shared global infrastructures<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Almost all nations<\/strong> of today spend large sums of money<\/strong> on our global telecommunications networks<\/strong>, transport networks<\/strong><\/strong>, traffic networks<\/strong> and supply chains.<\/strong><\/p>\n For this reason, our countries will no longer risk destroying their costly infrastructure investments by engaging in banal wars. In future, we can certainly also expect politicians and entrepreneurs to stage \u201ctrials of strength\u201d. The main aim of this will be to retain control on global supply chains.<\/p>\n We are sure to also see one or the other aggressive manoeuvre here. However, I am convinced these will constitute fairly acceptable alternatives compared to our previous wars.<\/p>\n Our digital networking<\/strong> today opens up joint chances and opportunities<\/strong> for us globally.<\/strong><\/p>\n In our economies<\/strong>, politics<\/strong><\/strong>, culture<\/strong>, environment<\/strong> and communication<\/strong> between all people<\/strong>, cities<\/strong>, companies<\/strong> and institutions.<\/strong><\/p>\n As a euphoric fan of \u201cThe Cluetrain Manifesto<\/strong>\u201d I enjoy our close global connections.<\/strong><\/p>\n People <\/strong>have moved a great deal closer together <\/strong>since the turn of the millennium.<\/strong><\/p>\n The near future awaits us with attractive urban progress<\/strong>. For instance, there are two interesting developments<\/strong> in the field of \u201curban mobility<\/strong>\u201d:<\/p>\n In a many cities<\/b>\u00a0we are testing the \u201cDriverless Car<\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n In the Finnish capital of Helsinki <\/strong>we have discovered that young people <\/strong>in this city are no longer buying private cars<\/strong>. The reason for this is the city\u2019s highly developed public transport network<\/strong>.<\/p>\n I am grateful<\/strong> for the confidence placed in me, and the honour this brings<\/strong>, to provide effective support <\/strong>amongst others to the Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg<\/strong> Ministry of Finance and Economics <\/strong>with my<\/strong> personal and reliable network of contacts with key international figures and media houses<\/strong>.<\/p>\n It is, in particular, the close diplomatic links between our cities and regions<\/strong> that will pave the way<\/strong> to our sustainable joint internationalisation of the future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n For instance, cooperations<\/strong>\u00a0between the regions of \u201cBaden-W\u00fcrttemberg<\/strong>\u201d and \u201cCatalonia\u201d <\/strong>in the field of job mobility.<\/p>\nOur Cities play a Key Role <\/span><\/h5>\n
in our Internationalisation.<\/h3>\n
![\"06_b_jp_globalisierung_frank_mendel_en\"](\"http:\/\/www.frankmendel.de\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/06_b_jp_globalisierung_frank_mendel_en.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nTotal Globalisation:<\/span><\/h5>\n
From the Unipolar 1990s to Our Geopolitical Marketplace of Today.<\/h3>\n
Every Market is Important.<\/span><\/h5>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nMy Forecast: <\/span><\/h5>\n
In Future our Superpowers will be Spearheaded by Cities.<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nA New Global Power:<\/span><\/h5>\n
Urban Archipelagos.<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/h4>\nMy Forecast:<\/span><\/h6>\n
Through our Common Global Links we will Prevent Wars. Because…
\n<\/span><\/h6>\nThe Top Priority of all Nations:<\/span><\/h5>\n
Infrastructure.<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nOur Joint <\/span><\/h5>\n
Global Perspectives.<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nUrban Progress:
\n<\/span><\/h5>\nUrban Mobility.<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nUrban Internationalisation:<\/span><\/h5>\n
Successful Diplomacy of Cities.<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n