AVL-Vorsitzender Helmut List wird Ehrenbürger der Stadt Graz - On The Grid Ep: 420

Thank you very much for this high award. It fills me with joy and pride. I am deeply connected to the city of Graz. I grew up here, went to school, studied here, and live here with my wife Kathrin. Our children were born and raised here. I have special memories of Graz. As a student, I often walked with my father to the university and office, discussing AVL and his travels. This experience was formative. It is nice that my father was also an honorary citizen of Graz. Graz provides a special living environment, a mix of scientific spirit, creative impulses, and international flair. People who come here feel comfortable with the pleasant climate, infrastructure, art, culture, and landscape. This mix of professionalism and life feeling, goal orientation and calmness, is found in Graz. For qualified employees, an attractive environment is crucial. For AVL, it was a conscious decision to remain in Graz. As an internationally oriented company, we engage with people from over 50 nations. Imagine an orchestra: no one can play a symphony alone. It requires musicians who master their instruments and work together. People must network, collaborate, share ideas, and leverage individual strengths. Together, unique things can be created. This diversity exists not only in a company but also in a region like Graz. Science, education, art, culture, politics, and others work together towards common goals. I have always felt good collaboration in Graz. Over the years, a diverse innovation ecosystem has developed here, with a dense network of research institutions and applied technology development. For 75 years, AVL's headquarters has been in Graz. We bring the spirit of Graz to over 90 locations worldwide, and also bring input back. We work globally as AVL. This international interplay is a great strength we continue to develop. Styria has one of the highest research quotas, contributing to the scientific and economic location of Graz, Styria, Austria, and Europe. We have given and received much. We work in the European research and information space, particularly in e-mobility. I have been actively engaged in Brussels for many years in various committees, focusing on European industrial research and later in mobility. This was a special experience, highlighting Europe's strength through its diversity and complexity. In all these roles, especially in mobility, the focus is on linking technological questions with societal applications and sustainability. Sustainability has gained new dimensions due to climate change, requiring a comprehensive rethinking in all industrial sectors. We must think differently about movement, questioning what was fixed. This opens up new possibilities. We are grateful for cooperation with institutes like TU Graz, Karl Franzens University, and Fachhochschule Joanneum. The broad education and science landscape enables access to qualified employees. Many current employees are also involved in teaching. The fertile Styrian innovation ground has allowed universities, research centers, and startups to settle, enabling valuable knowledge gains and cooperation. Startups provide perspective shifts and new viewpoints. Innovation arises from combining different technology sectors and scientific disciplines. AVL sees itself as part of this network, having contributed as founding members or partners. We bring our future with experiences, expertise, international perspectives, and long-term vision. We engage because significant challenges stand before us, which we can only master together. In AVL, we want to contribute to creating a climate-neutral world with sustainable, safe, comfortable, and affordable mobility for all. We should not only look at current technological limits but also those set by science, opening new horizons. We must face the unknown courageously with new spirit. As AVL, we want to be open to all important areas. Many things are connected, and the best performance is often a combination. We must preserve the ability to think and act differentially, recognizing the complexity in every major transformation. Innovations come from all areas, and technology must be combined with solutions that add value for users, society, and the planet. We must proceed in parallel, using all energy and creativity to utilize the advantages of all future paths. This is what we owe our planet. I want to thank you, Mayor, for the honorary citizenship, your openness to research, and your support. I have always stood in trusting exchange with the Mayor, and I thank you for your long-term support and shaping the city's spirit. I thank all employees; the symphony only sounds through their dedication, motivation, and passion. Especially, I thank my wife Kathrin for always supporting me and enriching us with her creativity. Thank you very much, Kathrin. Again, thank you for this high award, and I look forward to further good collaboration in the orchestra of the beautiful city of Graz.