W.I.R.E. is an independent think tank that curates the shaping of the future at the interface between science and practice. The foundation for this is a systematic early recognition of relevant developments and their translation into long-term strategies and fields of action for private and public organisations and their decision makers.
As an interdisciplinary platform, W.I.R.E. has distinguished itself since its foundation in 2007 through its comprehensive understanding of the economy and society and uses this knowledge to develop long-term decision-making bases, ideas and new approaches to solutions. The thematic expertise of W.I.R.E. focuses on the wider consequences of the digital transformation and the linking of market and societal innovation in various sectors ranging from health and financial services to real estate and media.
In addition to the analysis and classification of new technologies, business models and social trends, W.I.R.E.'s competence includes a multidimensional information architecture as a basis for tailor-made multimedia publications, event formats, exhibitions and keynotes. In the tradition of alchemy, the think tank develops tangible concepts in the form of "real-life labs" or prototypes for the 21st century. The think tank has an international network of thought leaders and decision makers as well as partnerships with leading companies, universities and designers.
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WALTER THURNHERR
Walter Thurnherr is the Federal Chancellor of Switzerland since January 2016. Previously, Walter Thurnherr has been Secretary-General of the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC), the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Federal Departement of Economic Affairs (FDEA). After studying theoretical physics Walter Thurnherr began his political affairs at the FDFA, working during his training in Bern and Moscow. Further postings were his work for the Foreign Policy Planning Staff in Bern and support for Ambassador Edouard Brunner in his role as Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General. In connection with the Chairmanship of the OSCE, he represented Switzerland from 1994 to 1997 in the mediation of the Nagorno-Karabach conflict. From 1995 to the spring of 1997, Walter Thurnherr worked at the Swiss embassy in Moscow with the rank of Minister. In the following two years he was personal advisor to Federal Councillor Flavio Cotti, subsequently serving as minister and deputy head of Political Affairs Division VI until he was appointed ambassador and head of the division in May 2000.