Innovation Is at Center of SPD Goals 2004

Social Democratic leaders plan to meet Tuesday in Weimar to set the course for the new year. The party wants to make education, research, innovation, family and childcare key policy focuses for 2004. Seeking ways to encourage innovation is one of its main goals. Participants will also discuss the possible creation of an elite university in Germany, which would be modelled after those in the United States. Meanwhile, Bundestag President Wolfgang Thierse urged his party leadership to make education a priority – and he warned that more money would be needed to improve research and innovation in Germany.