The International Students' Committee, organizers of the annual International Management Symposium in St. Gallen, Switzerland, is urging more Japanese business leaders and students to take part in the gathering. Organizers say the symposium has become one of the prime occasions for leaders and top students from around the world to meet. Marco Hoffleith, a committee member from St. Gallen University, said Thursday in Tokyo that out of 250 students selected from the world's top universities, only about five students from Japan attend, partly because of language barriers. "The Japanese market is difficult ... because there is a very limited circle of people who can speak good English," Hoffleith said. The International Management Symposium, which marks its 30th anniversary with this year's gathering May 25-27, is held in English, with simultaneous German and French translation provided. Along with 700 leaders from business, political and academic circles, students who have passed an English essay screening attend keynote lectures by high-profile leaders as well as panel discussions and workshops over topics such as financial markets and information technology, Hoffleith said. Invited speakers for this year's forum include Michael Camdessus, Managing Director of International Monetary Fund; Romano Prodi, president of European Commission; and Gerhard Schroeder, German Chancellor. Japanese representatives at previous gatherings include Yotaro Kobayashi, chairman of Fuji Xerox Co.; Toyoo Gyoten, president of Institute for International Monetary Affairs; and Sadako Ogata, head of the UNHCR. "What's special about this forum is that it's all informal ... leaders and students can speak freely in a very relaxed atmosphere," Hoffleith said. Hoffleith has contacted business organizations and corporations in Japan to look for this year's speakers. "We are hoping to invite young innovative business leaders from Japan," he said.
