Let's start off our tour with a brief description of our primary aims and responsibilities.
Put simply: We network experts and technologies. Our ultimate goal is to ensure the ongoing development of various technologies and encourage their applications in a wide variety of industries. We do this by promoting the national and international transfer of technical know-how; by supporting the education and training of new generations of talents; by participating in political decision-making on education and research; and by backing educational and career development with a broad program of conferences, symposia and seminars.
At the same time, we work to improve the general public's understanding - and acceptance - of technology. We believe that innovation is one of the strongest assets of German industry - and the one factor that can secure our global competitiveness however tough the markets may be.
And on the practical side - the side that the public most frequently sees - we make sure that the electrotechnical products sold in Germany and worldwide are safe, and guarantee this with strict testing certified with the famous VDE Mark. Today, more than 200,000 types of products worldwide carry VDE Certification Marks. So in the end, everyone benefits from our work - either directly or indirectly.
And why all this?
Because information-, energy-, micro- and nano technologies and life sciences play paramount roles in modern society, and will open up enormous opportunities to Germany in the coming years. We must help secure and further build up our capacities in these fields. First: by working to see that existing knowledge is transformed into innovative products. And second: by helping ensure that our country's educational system - in particular our universities - continues to attract young people to our technical fields and keeps them state-of-the-art.
In short, we are committed to generating support for future-oriented technologies in politics and in society. Our aim is to improve the climate for innovation in Germany - and the educational system that breeds, nurtures and sustains such innovation.
What kind of activities does this involve?
The VDE works on a number of levels to pursue its aims. This ranges from running five scientific organizations and organizing international technical symposia and conferences, to operating an internationally renowned testing and certification institute for electrotechnical products, components and systems.
We'd like to summarize these activities briefly in the next page or two. If you would like further details on any section, just click the appropriate link.
Let's start off with the technical and scientific societies that serve as our windows to scientific and professional communities as well as the general public:
Technical and Scientific Societies
Medical Technology
The umbrella organization of Medical Technology (DVMT) deals with research, development and user-oriented matters as well as with standardization, safety and further education in medical technology. The VDE is a founder member and manages the secreteriat.
Symposium Service
The VDE organizes international technical symposia and congresses and offers a wide range of seminars.
Electrotechnical Standardization
The DKE German Commission for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies of DIN and VDE prepares electrotechnical standards and regulations.
Testing and Certification
As a neutral and independent institution the VDE Testing and Certification Institute carries out testing of electrotechnical products, components and systems and awards the VDE test mark which is recognized worldwide.
Publications
The VDE publishing house, based in Berlin and Offenbach,prints the Association 's technical scientific publications. In particular, these are the VDE standards and regulations series, electrotechnical books and both German-language and European technical journals.
Technology Promotion
The VDI /VDE Technology Center for Information Technology supports technology companies with trend analyses, technology marketing and consultancy.