Dear Readers,

Since the beginning of the year, people throughout the world are increasingly alarmed about the spread of a new flu strain. In an interview Austrian scientist Norbert Bischofberger, who is one of the inventors of the most effective and  well-known antiviral drug, Tamiflu, talked about the threat that swine flu currently poses and the scientific innovation and entrepreneurial spirit which he found so attractive in the U.S. 

Other topics in this issue include Austrian Holocaust Memorial Service volunteers serving at distinguished U.S. institutions of Holocaust remembrance, the 60th Anniversary of the Sister City Partnership of the cities of Graz, Austria, and Montclair, New Jersey,  and the contributions of Austrian ski racers and pioneers Tony Sailer and Emo Henrich to the development of the sport and culture of skiing. 

Finally, we are pleased to bring an article on the  significant academic contributions of Austrian scholars in St. Louis, Missouri, including Professor Egon Schwarz, one of the world’s leading university academicians in German Studies with the Washington University in St. Louis. 

Year 2009 presented enormous challenges for Europe and the United States, particularly in view of the global economic situation and its impact on both sides of the Atlantic, also in Austria. The recent ratification of the EU Lisbon Treaty and, subsequently, the recent appointment of a President and a Foreign Minister of the European Union provides new opportunities for an enhanced and more effective cooperation in transatlantic relations. Furthermore, this year Austria is serving for the third time as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council for the years 2009/10, and we were honored to assume the chairmanship of the U.N. Security Council in November this year. 

I wish you a peaceful Holiday Season and a Prosperous New Year! 

Yours sincerely, 

Wolfgang Renezeder

Editor-in-Chief