IncrediblEurope

by Muhamed Mesic

A few days ago, aboard a plane to Zurich, I remembered how the first website I ever opened from my home PC, back in 1997, was that of the Swiss Tourism Board. It was a tribute of sorts to my grandma, an avid fan of Swiss landscapes, who donned the most glamorous of her robes and hiked along to the central post office, where Bosnia's pioneer dial-up internet access had just become available. Waiting for the pictures to load was a lengthy ordeal, but it ultimately worked. There wasn't that much on the website, but at least it was there.

Almost twelve years later, the website's still there (in fact, it's become part of a major branding strategy). We've come a long way, and it's only gotten bigger and more functional, just like anything else on the internet. The internet - and our own experience with it - have grown to almost unimaginable dimensions. It's incredible! With 2700 friends on Facebook, a monthly average of 3240 mails on five mail addresses, 140 Facebook groups, 170 new YouTube favorites every month, two blogs and a website, the internet isn't just the way I communicate. For me, it's a key part of the way I live.

The internet is just one of the heralds of the global age. In times of global commerce, competition, communication and challenge, it's also a tool which is pushing together a space as small and as diverse as Europe, closer than ever before. From Azerbaijan to Iceland and Finland to Portugal, the ideas, thoughts and visions on the world wide web represent an entirely new generation of Europeans, eager to live in a sustainable, knowledgeful, shared world. And a world which - thanks to the incredible progress online and offline - will truly progress with creative and innovative potential.

Forty years ago, mankind set foot on the moon. Now, we're setting foot on different horizons, facing challenges and solving them. As time zooms by, it seems like an obvious question: where are we heading to? What will Europe be like in 40 years? Where will we and our children live in 2049?

That's just one of the topics for the upcoming IncrediblEurope Summit in Vienna. Stay tuned as we keep working on Europe 2049 and beyond. Together.

1. I do all things that can be done in 2 minutes, in 2 minutes.
2. I can spend hours in a boat on the water doing nothing and feeling happy.
3. I like to live like a vegetarian, but when I smell meat on a bbq, I am lost.
4. I used to sing and dance in musicals. Now I only sing in the car.
5. I am good company for a dinner; I enjoy food and never forget to compliment the cook.
6. My French is better then my German.
7. I cry when I look at tv shows where people meet each other after 20 years.
8. I have everything I ever dreamed of; except enough time.
9. I like to listen to other people and observe if they listen too.
10. I read 25 newsletters a day to keep up to date.
11. Breakfast served in a hotelroom is my idea of pure luxury. And then go back to bed.
12. My mobile is always on. Except in an airplane.
13. I like to share what I've learned to the new people inside JuniorSenior.
14. I am a bit addicted to chips with mustard flavour. But I do not smoke.
15. I am happy to be at Incredible Europe in Vienna.
16. I learned how to drink Pastis with ice in France.
17. I am never afraid for the future.
18. I visualise every year what I would like to achieve.
19. I get energy from a 21 minutes Chi-Qong exercise.
20. I am a reliable person for my friends, for my clients and for the rest of the world.
21. I have a memory like an elephant; I never forget things.
22. I like all the books of Lee Child.
23. I can think out of any box.
24. I believe life is an adventure and I like to get the most out of it.
25. I believe in the Buddha principles.