Paul Rübig

Emergency Preparedness: my book about #energy #water #food #sustainability #future

Earlier this year I personally edited a publication that brought together numerous experts in water sanitation field. We need to realize that billions of people around the world still cannot take for granted the access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation. But we can learn to do better. This and more related topics we have explored in our book, that was also presented at the United Nations .

InvestEU

The InvestEU program is the successor to the successful Investment Plan for Europe (Juncker Plan). It brings together the European Fund for Strategic Investments and 13 EU financial instruments under one roof.

The InvestEU program will unleash additional investments of more than EUR 372 billion in the period 2021-2027 and is intended to provide an additional boost to sustainable investment, innovation and job creation in Europe.

EU budget

As one of the chief negotiators of the European Parliament for the EU budget, a negotiation with the then Commissioner Günther Oettinger and the Austrian Finance Minister Hartwig Löger (Austria had the EU presidency) reached almost one billion euros in fresh money for a clear improvement in the future areas of youth (Erasmus +), education, research and SMEs.

Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity Competence Center

In the age of digitization, cybersecurity is playing an increasingly central role. By 2024, up to 22.3 billion devices worldwide could be connected to one another via the Internet of Things. Every EU citizen will be affected sooner or later. This not only shows how urgent cybersecurity is, it also illustrates the market opportunities in this area. The Cybersecurity Competence Center will be built up in Bucharest.

European Science Media Hub

The “European Science Media Hub” I proposed is becoming a reality. Democracy needs facts. The research community and the media community are not sufficiently networked with one another. Even research results financed by taxpayers’ money are not generally accessible. At the same time, in a time of fake news, it is important to have quick and uncomplicated access to independent and correct sources. Scientists, students, political advisors, journalists and interested citizens should be given the ‘Science Media Hub’ the opportunity to quickly check how the facts really are.

STOA - Panel for the Future of Science and Technology

(Office for Scientific and Technological Option Assessment) As Chair of STOA from 2009 to 2012 and 2014 to 2017 (deputy chair 2012-2014, 2017-2019) I had the opportunity to shape the scientific service of the European Parliament (EPRS) as well as the future of STOA. Two important areas for me were the “silo and pipe” strategy and the “MEP-Scientist Pairing Scheme”.

EU budget and Horizon 2020

I was a member of the negotiating team between EU countries and the EU Parliament, the so-called mediation committee, which has to find an agreement if the Council and Parliament cannot reach an agreement in the first reading. In November 2013, after almost 16 hours of negotiations, we reached an agreement on the EU budget for 2014 and the multiannual financial framework up to 2020. Three programs were particularly important to me in these negotiations: the research funding program “Horizon2020”, the exchange and education program Erasmus and the program called “COSME” for the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises.

Paneuropean Working Group of the EPP

The Paneuropean Working Group in the European Parliament was established in 1985 by Otto von Habsburg. It aims at bringing Members of the EP together, who follow the vision and principles of Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi. After several years as Vice-President I was elected as President of the Working Group from 2009 to 2018.

Erasmus for young entrepreneurs

On February 19, 2009, on my initiative, the new EU exchange program for young entrepreneurs started, which was initially endowed with two million euros. Young entrepreneurs and company founders are supposed to convey new experiences and a new, European approach to a successful business life by offering internships and training courses all over Europe. The home market of Europe offers particularly fascinating opportunities for SMEs if you dare to step beyond your own borders. The Eurostars program with EUREKA was also a great success.

Roaming - Digital Single Market

In 2007 I began to campaign for a digital single market (among other things as chief negotiator), I achieved my first success with the implementation of Roaming I, followed by Roaming II in 2009, the next step with a regulation for data roaming. In 2012 I pursued the idea of “Roam like at home” and advocated fair wholesale tariffs as part of Roaming III. Now my successor in the European Parliament, Angelika Winzig, is already working on “Roaming IV”.

Foundation of SME Global

To support small and medium-sized businesses around the world, I founded SME Global with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard and former US Congressman Donald Manzullo.

Election to the European Parliament

Right from the start, my focus was on business (especially small and medium-sized enterprises), research and budget. In more than 23 years of my work in Europe, I have been able to implement many initiatives.

Elections to the Upper Austrian regional assembly

My political career began on October 6, 1991 with the elections to the Upper Austrian regional assembly. I was a member of the state parliament for 5 years and was appointed as chairman of the EU integration committee. From 1991 to 1996 I was trustee of WIFI OÖ, that is the Institute for Economic Promotion of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, specialised in Education and Training.

Foundation of several companies

By working in my parents’ business, I was an “entrepreneur” at heart right from the start. It was therefore a logical step for me to found some companies myself, including a marketing agency and sales agencies in Germany and France.