„Dass Essen – stellvertretend für das Ruhrgebiet – zur Kulturhauptstadt Europas 2010 wird, ist eine besondere Auszeichnung für das Ruhrgebiet und zeigt, was da geschehen ist und dass so manches Klischee über das Ruhrgebiet verfehlt ist.“
Initiativkreis Ruhr
The Initiativkreis Ruhr, or IR, is an association of 61 large international and German companies which assume responsibility for the future of the metropolitan Ruhr area, Germany’s economic and industrial heart. Since 1989, one common interest has united the members of the IR: guaranteeing and developing long-term prospects for the future of the Ruhr area and its people. Our goal is to position this European heartland as an innovative center for industry, trade, research, and service among international competitors. The IR actively promotes investments and implements projects in the sectors of business, science, and culture, while marketing the region. The member companies together employ approximately 2.25 million people worldwide and represent sales of almost 630 billion Euros.
The Ruhr Region looks to the future – working together for success
Since 1988 the "Initiativkreis Ruhr", consisting of representatives of the Rhine and Ruhr Region's leading concerns in trade and industry and public institutions, has been working to promote the region's development. And with great success: their commitment has lent significant momentum to structural change in the Ruhr Region and is making a substantial contribution to radically improving the region's image.
The members of the Initiativkreis Ruhr have a common goal: to sustainably safeguard and stimulate the future prospects of this core region of Europe and its people. The tasks to be accomplished are set down in the foundation document of the Initiativkreis: the promotion of innovation and investment, the support of measures undertaken in science, sport and the arts and the improvement of the region's image. The overall objective is to position the Ruhr Region as a centre of innovation in trade and industry, research and services on the national, European and international markets.
In its role as an ambassador of the Ruhr Region, the Initiativkreis aims to empower projects of symbolic value which will create a unique profile for the region and promote a Ruhr Region that can look to Europe with confidence, strength and assured expertise. The Initiativkreis Ruhrgebiet is resolved to meet the challenges of the future – a common effort for the new Ruhr Region.