With a diverse, intergenerational and interdisciplinary community, the Forum influences key actors throughout the European continent to facilitate their learning and decisions.
When the European Forum Alpbach was founded in 1945, it was created with a dream – a dream about the future of Europe. The Forum’s initiators agreed wholeheartedly on the foundations of their dream: the fight against Nazism and Communism, and the dream of democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity, as well as the nurturing of science and education. They agreed to meet in Alpbach for a couple of weeks each year to discuss the content of their dreams and to convert this content – if they found an agreement – into reality.
As is always the case, the founders of Alpbach discovered that in the pursuit of a common dream, opinions diverged about how to make it come true, with respect to both content and procedure. Out of these discussions however grew a platform with a think tank populated by European intellectuals and doers, who had a profound influence on the shaping of Europe in the decades to come. Left or right was not the criterion; instead it was liberal or antiliberal.
The following decades brought about an astonishing development of the European integration project — politically and economically – and much more profoundly than the Forum Alpbach’s founders could have ever dreamed of. In 1958, several years after the first Forum Alpbach meeting, six countries founded the European Economic Communities with the goal of creating a common European market. When this task was completed, in 1992 a new treaty set the stage for the European Economic and Monetary Union, characterised by a deepening political integration. By 2013, the European Union had expanded to 28 states including 11 members of the former communist bloc. Such an achievement was probably far beyond the dreams of any Alpbach founder.
Europe’s role in world history was by no means flawless; it ranged from aggressive to destructive, from very brutal to just brutal. Rare were the times when Europe assumed a role that brought peace and prosperity to other parts of the world. Also because of its history, the European Union had never attempted to achieve military power, however the rapid development of its economic strength gave it a chance to defend its values of democracy, rule of law and a socially-oriented market economy on the world stage.
During the past 75 years, Europe has demonstrated to the world that the pursuit of peace, democracy, and the creation of a strong civil society, in combination with strong economic and scientific performance, can create something very valuable, not only for Europe but for the entire world.
Still today we ought to be worried about Europe’s future. Twenty years ago, the European Union was growing and so was Europe’s economic position in the world. Today, the EU is shrinking and so is Europe’s economic power. For the first time our Union has lost a member, our economic strength seems to be fading away, our defence systems appear weak, and political tensions are rapidly on the rise. In short, Europe’s position as a strong influencer in the world is at risk. Europe is about to lose its global scientific and economic edge in a rapid manner, while the values of its societal strengths diminish.
In this new context, the Forum Alpbach is as important for Europe today as it was in 1945. The Forum Alpbach’s purpose for today and beyond is therefore quite simple:
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The European Forum Alpbach is a space and place for the emergence of reflection and action. It brings together the most innovative minds from politics, business, civil society, culture, and science to drive ideas for a strong and democratic Europe. With this diverse, intergenerational and interdisciplinary community, the Forum influences key actors throughout the European continent to facilitate their learning and decisions.
The Forum Alpbach offers transformational encounters between unlikely actors to create action that allows Europe to strengthen its global role as a responsible force for good — a leading role that not only benefits our continent but also the world and its joint prosperity and peace; a leading role that creates an environment allowing science and business to thrive and reassume equal footing with other geopolitical actors while also promoting and protecting civil society and the values we stand for.
This requires a major boost and changes in Europe’s education system, scientific environments as well as its financial and capital markets. Europe is required to further align its legal frameworks, rules and regulations as well as its political institutions to preserve the promise of open borders, cooperation and a good life for all.
Today the EU is shrinking and so is Europe‘s economic power. Europe‘s position as a strong influencer in the world is at risk.
Courage – is more necessary than ever in times of multiple crises. Decisions in politics, economics, science, civil society and culture require more confidence and determination. And above all, we also need a place, a platform that offers space for discourse and new perspectives; a space to discuss and develop new solutions across generations. This is exactly what the European Forum Alpbach (EFA) offers – year after year for many decades.
Courage – also signalled by the EFA’s annual theme for 2023: “Bold Europe”. In our view, Europe definitely needs more boldness to shape the world in order to position itself more strongly and more united in the future.
However, for us “Bold” also means having a clear plan. For three years, we have been working on making the EFA more innovative, open and international: Cross-disciplinary tracks form the content focus, the daily structure of the event is more strongly orientated towards the participating target groups and new formats ensure greater internationality and diversity among visitors and contributors. A new event app and a new website have been designed and our visual identity has been given a makeover.
However, the concept of being bold will remain with us in the coming years, because there is still a lot to do to strengthen Europe’s position in the long term. We are ready for it!
EFA23: Bold Europe
Andreas Treichl EFA President
Michaela Fritz Vice President
Florence Gaub Vice President
Katja Gentinetta Vice President
Katarzyna Pisarska Vice President
Marie Ringler Vice President
A dialogue to strengthen Europe is today more important than ever. The European Forum Alpbach is the proper place for it.
Opening EFA23
In his opening speech on 19 August 2023, Andreas Treichl forges links between the past, the present and the future and expresses his wishes for a proud and strong European Union.
“When the founders of the European Union started to build it in the early 50s, the purpose was clear and the task was bold. All founders of the EU had lived through two world wars – in which they had fought against each other. Just a few years later, they founded a union together.
Before 1945, Europe had lived through 500 years of wars. They took three shapes:
➊ Europeans killed each other.
➋ Europeans killed people on other continents to exploit them.
➌ Europeans did the first and the second simultaneously.
But since 1945, the European Union lived through 78 years of peace within the EU. Its founders wanted to build a peaceful, united and economically successful Europe. They had a clear and bold purpose.
And for a very long time, until well into the 1990s, Europe was incredibly strong: in politics, business, science and culture. We became the largest exporter in the world, the largest consumer market on the planet, we had leaders in almost every industry and we built the most socially balanced society the world has ever seen. We brought down the iron curtain and we brought the European East into the free world. Peacefully we unified Germany and peacefully we separated Czechoslovakia. Outside the Union, we experienced a terrible war in former Yugoslavia, and now also in Ukraine. Within the Union, we had conflicts in Ireland and Spain. And still: Until today, the EU lives up to its promise to bring peace.
What were the consequences? The side effects? The choices we made? We did not fly to the moon, and we did not produce the most advanced military equipment, but instead we built a strong social fabric, an unparalleled health system, and we built the best cars on this planet.
We dreamt of a world without violence, a world in which borders would never ever be changed by force again. A world that would live in peace forever, in which the rich were willing to share with the poor, in which everybody, who was able to work, did their best to support those who could not work. A world in which education was available for everybody.
We hoped that what we had worked for in Europe could be copy pasted around the globe. We were proud and we were confident, but somewhere along the way we lost it. Europe was still bold in its announcements, but it became weak in its accomplishments.
Economically, we started to fall back in the early 90s. Politically, we continued with bold actions into the 2000s with the EU’s enlargement into the East. Luckily, we had some residual energy left from 1989. In my view, Europe has shown no signs of boldness for more than 15 years now. Every union, whether in private or public life, requires constant nurturing, not only to advance, but also to maintain stability. So, where has the EU lost its ground?
Take the European Union as a peace project: What has happened over the last 15 years?
Croatia became a new member, but with the UK we lost a member because of outrageous populism! A couple of mainstream politicians in one of the most democratic countries of the world decided to manipulate the entire population with false facts and false interpretations of national pride and sovereignty out of fun or the aspiration to gain power. Brexit is a warning sign for all countries in Europe because it demonstrates what can happen if national politicians blame everything that goes wrong on Brussels.
We have left the whole Western Balkans hanging! Why?
At large, because we believe that there is too much corruption. But: There is corruption in many states within the Union, but every state within the Union is less corrupt now than it has been before entering the union.
So, what is the acceptable level of corruption that would allow a state to be part of a peace project?
In my view, it is just a reasoning to justify that we do not move ahead. We have lost confidence that we can manage and therefore we are not bold anymore. Accepting the Western Balkans as full members of the Union would of course be very, very bold – but, in my view, not doable unless the EU’s constitution and the EU Treaty are changed and the rule of unanimity is abolished. Unanimity
has no place in a democratic union, and if it is not abolished, the Union will fail one day.
When I talk to members of the Commission about it, they tell me that they are working on it via the passarelle clause and that, for certain issues, unanimity can already be circumvented, but changing the Treaty is too complicated and too risky and will take too long anyway. Being bold means taking on the complicated, doing it at speed and taking risks. Change the Treaty. Nations that will not accept it – let them go. And you will see, they will not go. But accepting the Western Balkans as new member states will give them and the Union a great chance for long-term peace and prosperity.
Take another aspect of the European Union as a peace project:
30 years ago we learned that we were not capable of containing a genocide on European soil without outside help. Europe’s reaction to that was to engage in endless discussions, but in reality, not much has changed, as we can see since February 24th last year. The Union’s defence spendings are the 3rd largest in the world, behind the USA and China. We spend more than twice as much on our defence than Russia, but we are still not able to defend our borders. That is not bold, that is shameful and absurd. Let us change it.
Take the European Union as an economic project, what has happened over the last 15 years?
Our Union has not kept up with the digitisation of the business world, we remained stuck in the industrial age. We have no data union; we have no capital markets union. We are great at regulation, but we still allow too many differing local regulations which hinder our energy systems to become one, our trains to run across borders in a well-connected railway system and our telecom networks to adapt to our new needs quickly. This kind of regulation limits our economic power. We have outstanding scientists and entrepreneurs, but not enough capital and too complex rules to keep them in Europe.
And when we take steps towards more integration, we don’t see it to the very end: We started a banking union, but we haven’t finished it, because European
states cannot agree on a European deposit insurance. We started a currency union 21 years ago, but today, seven out of 27 states are still not members. We issued a huge recovery and resilience fund after the pandemic, but don’t strive for true cross-border projects. We aspire to be the world champion in decarbonisation and we have the most powerful automobile industry on the planet, but as of today, China produces more electric cars than Europe.
The European Union as an endeavour was very bold. The people who created it were bold. But it needs generations of bold politicians both in Brussels and in the nation states to nurture it, to cultivate it, to maintain it, to grow it or to contain it, where it gets out of hand.
The founding mothers and fathers of the Union were brave politicians, bureaucrats and entrepreneurs who had a dream, a vision and a strong purpose. We still have some like these today, and some of them are here in Alpbach. They need our support, they need it desperately to keep the upper hand. Some years from now, India might be able to challenge the US and China, but for the time being, Europe is the only challenger that has the means to turn our bipolar world into a multipolar world.
To really deliver on this, we need to invigorate our dream, our purpose to create a peaceful, united Europe that can offer prosperity to all its citizens. There are many leaders in Europe who share this dream, this purpose, but obviously they have not been strong enough for the last 15 years to deliver. To implement change requires a lot of energy, but to implement change in times of complacency is even harder and requires even more energy. Complacency always ends up in deterioration, and deterioration sometimes ends up in disaster. Let us not wait for that.
We are here in Alpbach to discuss the four most important issues for Europe and our planet: climate, technology and economic prosperity, security, as well as democracy and the rule of law. In Europe, we are advanced in some points – but have fallen back on many others. We will need a lot of pressure from everyone so that our leadership regains focus and determination to follow up on what we started many decades ago. We need to raise our voices with speed and vigour. The young generation has demonstrated what it can achieve in the past. They overcame political and ideological barriers to fight for a
common cause. Fridays for Future is really effective, so I am asking you to develop the same kind of passion to fight for technological leadership, prosperity, security, freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
Next year’s EU elections do not look very promising, the forces that take no interest in a stronger European Union are gaining momentum. Christian and social democratic parties all over Europe are adopting nationalistic and antiEuropean views in an ill-guided attempt to gain votes. The BRICS are getting stronger, autocracy is on the rise on many continents and who knows, what the next US elections will bring.
There is an enormous urgency to create a peaceful, united and economically strong Europe now. This will require huge determination and the willingness to fight for it with all our might. LET US GET ROLLING!”
EFA President Andreas Treichl
EFA President Andreas Treichl at the opening speech of the Europe in the World Days module.
The EFA modules
Five modules were directed towards a broad range of participants: people of the EUREGIO region, international scholarship holders, experts’ communities as well as European and Austrian politics, businesses and civil society.
SAT 19
SUN 20
MON 21
TUE 22
WED 23
THU 24
FRI 25
SAT 26 SUN 27
MON 28
TUE 29
WED 30
THU 31
FRI 01
SAT 02
EUREGIO DAYS
ALPBACH SEMINARS
LAB DAYS
EUROPE IN THE WORLD DAYS
AUSTRIA IN EUROPE DAYS
The EFA23 programme adressed the following four tracks:
Rallying for Climate Action
Fighting for Europe’s Economic Sovereignty
Securing Europe in a Multipolar World
Reinforcing Democracy in Europe
Thematic Tracks
The event took place from 19 August to 2 September 2023 with the annual theme Bold Europe. Four thematic tracks shaped its contents.
Facts & Figures
Participants
The EFA23 brought together international participants from all generations. Adding to this success, the gender distribution was well balanced and the digital tool “EFA app” became widely accepted. 4.200
Contributors
Sessions in total
Seminar Sessions
Enjoy the interplay of scientific creative and skill-oriented seminars.
Chats
Join the circle, discuss complex challenges and spark action and reflection.
Networks
Get to know the other participants and exchange views on the EFA topics.
Works
Deep-dive, explore and engage in interactive group sessions with our high potential speakers.
Hikes
Explore ideas on the go – Walk, listen and debate in inspirational surroundings which stimulate both mind and senses.
Lab Sessions
Closed and curated groups work together to find a solution for a specific challenge.
Stages
Listen to great thinkers and doers who debate and trigger your curiosity at the main stage events.
Rituals
Cleanse your mind and take some time to enjoy a moment of silence or physical exercise for your daily energy.
Happenings
Enjoy being part of the EFA community in a relaxed atmosphere with inspiring performances for special occasions.
Socials
Get together over drinks and snacks, mingle with the crowd and share your insights of the day.
Formats
Alpbach is not an ordinary conference, and neither are its formats. At EFA23, participants chose between ten different formats.
Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, President of the Republic of Kosovo (left), and Oleksandra Matviichuk Head of the Centre for Civil Liberties (right) were part of the opening ceremony of the Europe in the World Days in Alpbach.
Securing Europe in a Multipolar World
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine was again a major topic of the EFA Security Track.
Track Highlights
Lessons of the present war on European soil were discussed from a military perspective and in regard to the European security architecture as a whole, as well as the Austrian security policy in particular.
The EU’s future neighbourhood and the enlargement policy were another point of discussion, as well as the EU’s immediate neighbourhood: Oby Ezekwesili, CEO of Human Capital Africa, scholarship holder Hager Eissa and the former Foreign Ministers of Ecuador and Spain, Arancha Gonzalez and María Fernanda Espinosa critically reflected on Europe’s relations with developing countries, which are becoming increasingly important in a multipolar world.
Our new pitch format challenged the notion of multipolarity, contrasting it with other perspectives on the world order. The use of technology in global competition was another topic, especially in the areas of semiconductors and outer space. Several sessions adressed how Europe can avoid falling behind in critical sectors, as well as the potential of technology for peacebuilding.
Labs
The impact of the war on Ukrainian nation-building and on state-society relations were examined by a curated group of experts in “Rebuilding and Reuniting Ukrainian State and Society” . Ultimately, policy recommendations regarding the non-economic aspects of reconstruction were developed.
In the Lab on “Digital Sovereignty”, participants discussed about data sovereignty and its meaning for society and the European citizens. They approached solutions on how our societies and economic sectors can improve their infrastructures with emerging innovative concepts, such as the Digital Commons, data spaces and Gaia-X.
In 2023, around 4.200 participants discussed Europe‘s most pressing challenges in various formats in Alpbach.
Indy Johar, Co-Founder of Dark Matter Labs, was part of the stage Grow-Green-
Digital: Which Role for Capital Markets? during Europe in the World Days.
Rallying for Climate Action
The Climate Track was marked by the need to speed up climate action and drive it more purposefully than ever.
Track Highlights
The track’s sessions centred around the three main topics:
➊ designing climate action in a way it brings about a truly sustainable and socially just transformation, ➋ the structures, innovations and mindsets needed for this and ➌ the exact role of each stakeholder in climate action.
Discussions ranged from the future of nuclear fusion to activism’s role in climate policy and from the powerful role of imagination to the equally crucial mobilisation of capital for the transition. One of the highlights was the chat session “From Momentum to Climate Action”, from which – above all – it became clearthat we need strong narratives across fields to bring everyone on board for the transformation process. We must be bold and build radically new alliances to master the greatest transformation since the Industrial Revolution.
10x100 Cities Lab
A group of about 20 key actors from multiple governance levels came together at the “10x100 Cities Lab” to develop sets of action at the intersection of three currents: the polycrisis we find ourselves in, the urgent need for food systems’ transformation and the great significance of cities in that context. In designed action sprints of 100 days each, members of the group continue driving forward ideas from the Lab and involving stakeholders and decisionmakers across sectors and governance levels to work towards democratic and resilient transformative change at the city and regional level.
Every year‘s highlight? The famous EFA hikes: More Green, Less Grey was a hike to Zirmalm covering innovative urban solutions for cooler, greener cities.
The high abstention rate of young people in European elections was addressed at the Lab Youth as Key for Democratic Renewal
Reinforcing Democracy in Europe
The Democracy and the Rule of Law Track treated democratic resilience, citizens’ participation and democratic leadership.
Track Highlights
Women leadership was one of the focal points at EFA23, taking shape in multiple forms, including one of our Labs on female political leadership. One of the main stages with the provocative title “Why Women Should Run the World” brought together inspiring women leaders in their differing professional fields. The success of the women leadership focus became more than visible in the popular EFA World of Women* initiative (see page 39), through the strong female leaders at the opening of the Europe in the World Days, such as Oleksandra Matviichuk, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Oby Ezekwesili, and of course with an overall of 53.2 % female speakers.
Labs
Participants of “Delivering on Gender Representation in Political Leadership” discussed what works and what does not to increase gender parity in politics at all levels of political representation in Europe, also finding new ways to more quickly close the gap. With “Youth as Key for Democratic Renewal – Impacting European Elections”, the main topic was the next generation and its motivation to engage in political activities and processes. The “Civic Foresight – Anticipating and Counteracting Disruptions of Democracy” Lab provided a learning space for how to enhance democratic resilience through building bottom-up preparedness for upcoming disruptions.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, Opposition Leader of Belarus and Head of the United Transition Cabinet, discussing How can the EU Become a Geopolitical Actor in its Eastern Neighborhood.
High-class panel at the opening of the Austria in Europe Days: Ralph Hamers, Former UBS manager, Alexander van der Bellen, Federal President of Austria and Nataša Pirc Musar, President of the Republic of Slovenia (from left to right).
Fighting for Europe’s Economic Sovereignty
A strong focus on innovation and research, a robust digital architecture and sound capital markets can secure European independence.
Track Highlights
Europe’s impressive post-war success has stalled in recent decades, leading to economic imbalances, the erosion of competitiveness and increased social inequality. The pandemic and the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine have exacerbated these challenges. The Finance and Economy Track discussed the need for Europe to act quickly to tackle them.
The role of larger and more liquid capital markets in securing Europe’s future prosperity was a key topic, discussed by Ingo Bleier, Indy Johar, Signe Krogstrup, Stephan Leithner, Kaidi Ruusalepp and Michael Rüdiger. Of major concern were Europe’s economic lessons learned from Russia’s war against Ukraine. In an interactive hiking session, high-level speakers Tinatin Akhvlediani, Jacob Kierkegaard and Anne Ruth Herkes engaged in a lively debate on how Europe can assume a position of strength while dealing with the huge adjustment costs. Beyond the mere definition of interest rates and numbers, an interactive workshop with Joseph E. Stiglitz broadened the audience’s perspective on the need to foster our competencies to make sound financial decisions and to improve our overall financial well-being.
Labs
At “Boosting the Entrepreneurial Growth Cycle – through Capital Markets” European capital markets along the financing cycle of companies were examined. The group discussed the journey of a European company from birth to maturity; why some countries have fared better than others; and what role deeper and wider capital markets can play. In the “MEGA Hackathon on financial and economic literacy”, different projects were developed together with international experts to foster financial and economic knowledge among Europe’s youth. The “360° University Spin-offs Lab” brought together an international group of people to examine the process of spinning out companies from academia. The aim was to deliver a white paper on spinoffs’ core principles, taking into account the objectives of the relevant stakeholders in the process.
Nobel prize winner Josef E. Stiglitz (left) in conversation with one of the 600 scholarship holders.
One of EFA23‘s arts & culture projects: The photo exhibition Chairs by Elena Subach.
Arts and Culture
Artistic approaches offered a different perspective at EFA23 and managed to link a broad range of topics.
Guest curator Yana Barinova’s programme provided an important intellectual and emotional perspective at the 2023 EFA event. “Fractured Futures” showed works made by eleven international artists.
Prompting questions about the condition of refugee camps in the idyllic surroundings of Alpbach, Deborah Sengl presented a UNHCR tent, accompanied by a sound installation from Angélica Castelló. Similar themes were explored in photography by Elena Subach (on the Ukrainian-Slovakian border) and Shabana Zahir, Zohre Mussakhan and Masoumeh Tajik (in the Diavata refugee camp in Greece).
Soli Kiani’s rope sculpture, prominently displayed in the CCA’s glass funnel, highlighted the human rights situation in Iran, while visitors created their own slogans of resistance and freedom as part of Rivane Neuenschwander’s participative installation, presented with Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein.
Focusing on the human impact on the environment, Natalia Domínguez Rangel turned two CCA bathrooms into immersive installations of ocean noise pollution, while Jonas Staal’s painted posters showed scenes of natural disaster using the slogan “redistribute extinction”.
For the first time in EFA’s history, the SPAR underground parking garage was the site of a memorable performance by sound artist Rojin Sharafi. Beyond the curated programme, theatrical and musical performances from the arts scholars of RADA and MUK were enthusiastically received.
“Art permeates everything in Alpbach.”
EFA23 guest curator Yana Barinova
A rope sculpture by the artist Soli Kiani was displayed at the Congress Centrum Alpbach during the event.
EFA Board Members Michaela Fritz (left) and Caroline Hornstein Tomić were one of the hosts of the daily Networking hour for Women*
World of Women*
EFA strives for bringing together different voices and perspectives. An extra effort for equal gender representation successfully payed off at the 2023 event.
Feminist perspectives have been missing for far too long at the European Forum Alpbach: The first official record of a working group on gender questions dates back to 1986 – and it took until the 1990s for a woman* to be represented in the EFA board (Elisabeth Herz-Kremenak).
With the “EFA World of Women*” (WoW*) initiative, we increased the visibility of women* at the EFA event to achieve a more nuanced understanding of the challenges Europe is facing. In addition, professional networking opportunities for women* were created in Alpbach, including a daily Networking Hour. “‘This is a great opportunity for female* participants to connect”, says EFA Vice President Michaela Fritz, one of the initiators of WoW* at the EFA. “It started with one table and a spontaneous, inspiring speech from Yuriko Backes, Minister of Finance in Luxembourg.”
A series of programme sessions put female* points of view on stage, including a hike on Feminist (Counter-)Revolutions with the student Shadi Mandani and EFA Board Member Irene Giner-Reichl on how women* in Iran and Afghanistan continuously push for change.
The initiative is carried by all female* board members and was led by women* from the EFA Board and Council, the Forum Alpbach Network, partner organisations and members of the EFA Association. The 2023 event applied the diversity criterion “gender equality” to everything taking place on site. In the aftermath of the annual event, the success of this effort became visible: The gender distribution among the participants was 42 % women*; 53 % of this year’s speakers were female* as well as 55 % of all scholarship holders! The WoW*@EFA initiative is set to continue with key partners as a multi-year effort to systematically involve and amplify female* voices. Part of it will be a special scholarship programme for Women* in Tech and MINT subjects at large.
EFA had an exceptional women‘s* quota with 53,2 % female* speakers at this years‘ event in Alpbach.
Some of our sessions with a focus on women* at the EFA23 event
Feminist Approaches to Security Seminar (five days)
Reimagining Politics – Empowering
Women* Political Leaders
Lab (three days) – supported by Apolitical & Multitudes Foundations
Why Women* Should Run the World
Stage with Margot Wallström (former Swedish Foreign Minister), Jana Degrott (co-founder WeBelongEurope), Sandrine Dixson-Declève (co-President Club of Rome), Yana Barinova (guest curator)
Smash Patriarchy – Reduce Emissions?
Gender, Diversity & Climate Crisis
Workshop supported by Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Patent Cocktail: Women* Patent
Social supported by Österreichisches Patentamt
The Next Generation is Female: How are women* shaping the EU?
Chat supported by Federal Chancellery
Feminist (Counter)Revolutions
Hike
Oppression of women* in Iran
Hike with Soli Kiani (Iranian-Austrian artist)
Female Voices in Politics
Chat/Workshop
Jana Degrott, WeBelong Co-founder at the stage Why Women Should Run the World.
From 24 to 27 August 2023, Alpbach in Motion (AIM) convened professionals from different fields of work. The AIM participants - all between the age of 30 to 40 - are future leaders who are willing to shape and transform Europe.
By stimulating peer-to-peer learning and out-of-thebox thinking, the programme created a space for the emergence of reflection and action and empowered its leaders to think in new categories. In line with the EFA mission to shape a stronger Europe for the good of all, AIM encouraged its professionals to facilitate change in their industries, ecosystems and the broader context.
The 2023 AIM Leadership Lab was led by the facilitators and coaches Elsabeth van Overbeeke and Manuel Güll. They guided the group through varied and unexpected hours – from intense groupwork sessions and decelerating hikes to networking sessions, an unforgettable dinner discussion and fireside chats with Zen Buddhist monk and social entrepreneur Bart de Weetjens. 44 European leaders between the age of 30 and 40, coming from corporate institutions, startups, NGOs, social ventures, arts & culture and academia joined Alpbach in Motion at EFA23.
44 young leaders from institutions, startups, social ventures, arts and culture.
44 European leaders between the age of 30 and 40 joined the 2023 AIM Lab.
Alpbach in Motion
For the 10 th time in a row, outstanding young professionals gathered for a one-of-a-kind leadership experience.
“EFA23 was an educative, eye-opening and transformative experience which challenged me to move out of my comfort zone and embrace all sorts of possibilities to make Europe a better place for us all.”
Persis (UK)
The Scholarship Programme
Around 600 young talents from all over the world were awarded with a scholarship for the EFA23 event.
Students, young professionals, change-makers and curious minds –outstanding individuals in general – participated in the European Forum Alpbach (EFA) event in August 2023. They were given the opportunity to attend the entire programme, including five days of scientific and skill-based seminars, and got to engage in thought-provoking discussions, enjoy unique session formats and build meaningful networks.
Starting in February 2023, we reached out to talents and change-minded graduates between the age of 18 and 30/35 to apply for a scholarship. In our efforts to reach as many promising applicants as possible, the call for applications was shared within the larger EFA network via newsletter, social media and targeted mailing to its communities (EFA boards, FAN, AIM, partner institutions, former contributors). It was also promoted by universities, cultural institutions, think tanks and student unions.
Applications opened on 1 March 2023. By the end of March, we had received around 4,000 applications from 140 countries of residence through our online application tool and around 1,000 additional applications through Clubs and Initiative groups of the Forum Alpbach Network as well as partner institutions. After the end of our selection procedure, we awarded around 600 scholarships, spread over 81 nationalities. Among them, we welcomed 389 first-time scholarship holders.
Scholarship holders stayed throughout the entire forum (19 August – 2 September 2023). The formal kick-off happened in the evening of 19 August with a Welcome Ceremony in the Congress Centrum Alpbach’s HerzKremenak Saal. Opening speeches were held by Andreas Treichl and Feri Thierry, while two students of the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna performed musical interludes. The scholarship holders were given an overview of the programme and social activities, as well as information on how to make the most of their two weeks in Alpbach. They got to know their peers through interactive games and build first connections that should be deepened in the upcoming days.
The participation of the next generation at EFA was a source of inspiration and impetus for the countless discussions that decisively shape the European Forum Alpbach since 1945.
“My time at EFA23 was invaluable; furnishing me with a wealth of knowledge, fresh perspectives and invaluable connections that I am confident will benefit my future endeavours.”
Evelin (Belgium)
Physician and astronaut Carmen Possnig shared insights on the future of space travel during a Brown Bag Lunch with the Austrian journalist Philip Pramer (Der Standard).
Selection process
After initially screening for the formal criteria (age, English proficiency, firsttime application), a selection committee of 80 members read the applications and graded them along the candidates’ educational and professional background, their extracurricular activities and their motivational essay in which they had to answer questions concerning their track interest and their ability to contribute to the success of this year’s event. Every application was anonymised and read by two members of the selection committee to ensure the objectivity of the process. After each application was awarded two sets of points, the jury of the EFA, consisting of Klaus Poier and Almina Besic, decided on the selection of scholarship holders. At this stage, it was our aim to reach a fair regional, academic and gender distribution, while ensuring to adhere to our set criteria and target regions.
Based upon our target regions – predefined between the EFA and the FAN board – special focus was set on the Western Balkans and on countries where there are active but not yet self-financed Clubs/IGs (e. g. CA Belgium Brussels, IG Romania) or newly established clubs (CA France, CA Poland) in Europe. To enhance diversity among EFA participants, we also gave special consideration to applicants from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, to members of ethical or religious minorities, as well as to members of the LGBTQIA* community, to people with disabilities and to refugees or displaced persons.
The EFA is therefore particularly proud of the diversity of its scholarship holders, who came from four continents and 81 different countries.
“EFA23 was a whirlwind of experiences, thoughts, perspectives and moments. It was unforgettable. Eye-opening. Enriching. I know I will cherish it all.”
Roni (Israel)
Scholarship Holders at EFA23
Gender and diversity
Background
Region of Residence
21,7 % International 53,5 % Europe excl. Austria 24,8 % Austria
Applications
3.969 applications via European Forum Alpbach Foundation from 140 countries ~ 1.000 applications via Forum Alpbach Network’s Clubs and Initiatives
Seminar participants of A Deep Dive into the Global Fashion Industry exploring sustainable flax fibers.
Seminars
Artistic, scientific and skill-based seminars for scholarship holders from around the globe.
Alpbach
Five days of seminars for the scholarship holders are the heart of the European Forum Alpbach and mark its lively engagement with young talents from all over the world. Each scholarship holder had the opportunity to choose two seminars from the 30 on offer, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Every seminar was embedded in one of the four thematic tracks, with the morning sessions set in a scientific environment, and the afternoon seminars being more skills-based.
In the mornings, groups of 30-45 participants discussed how to involve younger generations in policy-making processes (“Giving Voices to Future Generations”), developed a vision for a net-zero continent (“Imagining a Bold, Independent and Sustainable Europe”) or debated the strengths, weaknesses and implications of alternative financial systems (“Envisioning the Future of Money”). After a lunch break, the scholarship holders had the opportunity to create campaigns for climate activism (“Keep It in the Ground: Diffusing Carbon Bombs”), to acquire essential negotiation skills (“Re-Imagine Cooperation”) or engage in improvisation exercises (“The Art of Being Spontaneous”).
The common denominator of these diverse topics was their participatory approach, as some took place in the open air, others had the participants build models of sustainable houses or used Lego bricks in order to convey knowledge. What also distinguishes these seminars are the people who lead them. Like the scholarship holders, the seminar chairs are characterised by their diversity and interdisciplinarity. At EFA23 they came from France, UK to Peru where they work in economic research institutes and universities, from activist groups or were still students themselves (peer-to-peer seminars).
An integral part of the Seminar Days are the Food for Thought sessions that take place during the lunch break. Food for Thought takes the form of an open space, following the concept of a ‘Speaker’s Corner’, where anyone is invited to propose a topic of their choice and facilitate a discussion on it. We are confident that the participants of the seminars left Alpbach with plenty of inspiration and equipped with new tools to take action and drive positive, sustainable change.
The seminar How to Become Financially Literate raised young peoples’ awareness for economic challenges.
The International Day Bazar provided a journey through food, music, and art from cultures all around the globe.
FAN programme at the EFA23
More than 40 official sessions at EFA23 were organised by the Forum Alpbach Network (FAN) and its boards.
Invisible University: Pursuing Education in Times of War
25 August 2023
The chat was hosted by IG Wien and Kyiv Initiative Group Alpbach and discussed how to preserve the Ukrainian culture, urban heritage and education in the face of Russian shelling of cities, museums and schools in Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion of its territory, the global interest in Ukraine has exploded. However, most know little about the role and condition of culture and education in the war. Founders and participants of various initiatives shared their experiences in upholding the Ukrainian identity.
International Day hosted by the Forum Alpbach Network Committee
26 August 2023
No other place captures the idea of a global village like Alpbach does during the EFA. With the International Day, the diversity of cultures represented by international scholarship holders was celebrated. The international evening was centred around the topic “defying labels”.
Towards a more Resilient Value Chain of the Blue Economy and Marine Environment Preservation
28 August 2023
This chat hosted by Club Alpbach Croatia explored how EU’s Mission Starfish 2030 framework and the Digital Twin of the Ocean open data system leverage policy and science in efforts to green the blue economy by making ocean knowledge available to citizens, entrepreneurs, scientists and policymakers.
Geopolitical Awakening of Central and Eastern Europe
29 August 2023
The chat was hosted by Club Alpbach Poland and discussed the shifting gravity of geopolitical agency towards the eastern flank of the European Union and the growing relevance of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) in terms of EU policy-making and its strategic outlook.
Fireside chat with Paschal Donohoe, President of the Eurogroup, organised by FAN.
Unheard Voices: Women’s Rights, Displacement & the European Failure
30 August 2023
The chat was hosted by the Forum Alpbach Network Board, Club Alpbach Tirol, Club Alpbach Südtirol Alto Adige, Club Alpbach Salzburg, Club Alpbach Vorarlberg and Club Alpbach Senza Confini. Bereft of their voices, young women in a refugee camp used photographs to tell their stories of displacement and forgottenness at the borders of Europe.
How the Security of the Western Balkans Impacts Europe’s Security
31 August 2023
The discussion was hosted by Club Alpbach Macedonia and focused on the main challenges to the Western Balkan (WB) countries’ transition process including political instability, corruption, inter-ethnic tension, organised crime and autocratic tendencies.
Bringing together Young Changemakers with Current Stakeholders
Throughout the Forum, we encourage scholarship holders to participate in small fireside chats with heads of state and high-level speakers. These informal chats are often facilitated by FAN members. For instance, fireside chats with personalities such as Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu, Alexander Van der Bellen, Catherine Ashton, Othmar Karas and many more were organised at the EAF23.
Activism at the Forum
The Fridays for Future demonstrations have become a regular event in the annual conference over the past years. Furthermore, the Forum Alpbach Network together with the EFA team worked on the safety and inclusion campaign that aims to make the conference a safer and more inclusive space for all participants. IG Wien and the Forum Alpbach Network invited all participants to the third edition of the Alpbach Pride Against the backlash of anti-LGBTQIA+ policies in many parts of the world.
Every year, the Forum Alpbach Network organises a pride parade during the event in Alpbach.
How was your experience?
Which statement describes the Forum best? (Multiple answers allowed, no ranking!)
A platform to meet bright minds and decision makers
A social networking event or platform
A place that you leave inspired
A learning and knowledge exchange platform
A plattform to develop ideas together
An incubator of joint action and initiatives
Looking back on your experience in Alpbach - What was the most particular added value of the Forum for you? (Maximum 3 answers, no ranking!)
To meet amazing people and learn from them
I got a better understanding of other people’s perspective
I learned something new
I listened to extraordinary speakers
I got a better understanding of the idea of Europe/the EU
I was able to develop ideas together with others
I felt heard and was able to share my perspective
I saw where I can contribute to a better Europe
How do you rate the quality of speakers?
Did the forum inspires you to take action?
Participants Survey
The feedback from 596 answered surveys shows participant’s overall satisfaction with the 2023 event programme.
The Forum Alpbach Network (FAN) consists of over 30 Clubs Alpbach (CA) and Initiative Groups (IG) that operate on a voluntary, non-profit basis across Europe, the Caucasus and Africa. Amongst others, their activities span running and funding their own scholarship programmes, hosting socials, organising events and cooperating on international initiatives beyond the annual event. Members of the FAN regularly host get-togethers, seasonal happenings or excursions. For their work together, they meet monthly online and convene in person twice a year to exchange knowledge, prepare the upcoming Forum, initiate joint projects, and strengthen the Alpbach community. In the past year, the network’s conference was invited to Rust (Austria) and Debeli Rtič (Slovenia) by CA Burgenland and Senza Confini. Other FAN highlights of the past year:
Travelling Exhibition and Event Series
Young women from a Greek refugee camp took pictures of their lives which have become an award-winning photo exhibition called “They Took away our voice”. From 2023 to 2024, FAN members are hosting this exhibition (also shown at EFA23) in regional museums while curating discussion rounds on migration, the the humanitarian system or women’s rights.
FAN Events: Thinking and Discussing outside the Box
In 2023, the FAN hosted more than 100 events on EFA’s thematic tracks and beyond. The Kyiv Initiative Group Alpbach and CA Iraq hosted a workshop on psychosocial support for people in armed conflicts while CA Salzburg reflected on the colonial heritage of Austria. CA Netherlands, CA Südtirol, CA Steiermark, CA London and CA Poland invited to discussions and fireside chats on regional politics with renowned politicians and diplomats. While IG Vienna and CA Trentino tackled public health topics such as cancer and STDs, CA Macedonia and CA Niederösterreich discussed financial literacy and inclusion of disabled people on the job market. CA Croatia focused on the blue economy, CA Belgium Brussels discussed solar energy and CA Tirol invited an activist and a right-wing politician to a panel on climate action. CA Montenegro, IG Sarajevo and the Africa Alpbach Network convened interdisciplinary networking events for young professionals.
Every year, FAN representatives meet to exchange their ideas. One of the 2023 conferences took place in Salzburg.
FAN activities during the year
The forum’s network of former scholarship holders carries insights and inspiration from Alpbach to the world.
With close to 200 members out of 400+ former participants, the AIM Alumni Club is an independent association which organises events and social gatherings for continuous peer-to-peer exchange.
2023 Highlights
Besides other regular activities, the AIM Alumni Club focused on community events on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of AIM and the 5th anniversary of the AIM Alumni Club.
10 YEARS AIM: Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Two Decades in Europe
9 May 2023, TTTech AG Office, Vienna (hybrid)
On Europe Day, Georg Kopetz (TTTech AG, AIM13), Kelsey Beltz (The Good Lobby, AIM22) and EFA Secretary General Feri Thierry provided a thought-provoking 10-year review and a preview on key developments in Europe and exchanged their views with alumni from various generations.
AIM 10 Years Anniversary Community Lab
24–27 August 2023, Alpbach
Alumni from the past ten AIM cohorts were invited for a transformative community lab to (re)think how young leaders can become bolder in shaping Europe. Two alumni-only peer-to-peer sessions and a joint dinner focused on systems transformation and inner development for outer change, while the group also immersed in the broader EFA programme and connected with the AIM23 cohort.
Alpbach in Motion Alumni Club Executive Board and Financial Auditors
Christoph Wenna (President), Kelsey Beltz, Jordan Georgiev, Harald Kollmann, Janet Kuschert, Bettina Nahajowski, Slaven Stekovic, Paul Varga
AIM Alumni Club
Former Alpbach in Motion (AIM) participants organise events for change-makers in different professional fields and support their community throughout the year.
In 2023, the AIM Alumni Club celebrated its fifth anniversary.
Continuous activities throughout the year foster dialogue for a stronger Europe.
EFA365 Activites
Through various initiatives and events, the EFA community approaches pressing challenges not only at the annual event, but during the course of an entire year.
Ideas for Europe
This initiative boosts political participation by developing solutions for and with citizens living in peri-urban and rural areas. Ideas for Europe (I4E) will combat the growing disenchantment with politics and abstention by promoting European values and inviting the public to contribute their ideas. I4E has three focal points: education (generating ideas that further citizenship competencies and specifically media literacy), empowerment (inviting citizens to discuss ways to promote active citizenship and sharing insights in trainings with local authorities) and engagement (co-creating prototypes strengthening democratic participation).
The following events and workshops took place in 2023 as part of Ideas 4 Europe:
Inclusive Debates
13 April & 20 April, Mons, and 27 May, Welkenraedt (Belgium), hosted by The Dandelion Group
Local Academy Training
Local Academy Training, 20–21 June 2023, Vicenza (Italy), hosted by ALDA – the European Association for Local Democracy
Train the Trainers against Disinformation
Train the Trainers against Disinformation, 10–11 May and 13–14 November, online workshops hosted by the Alliance4Europe
Alpbach IDEAS Camps and Democracy Track sessions during the European Forum Alpbach, among others on the European Parliament Elections 2023; Citizens’ Assemblies; Fact or Fake – How to Spot Misinformation
How can European civic educators contribute to citizenship skills in rural and peri-urban areas?
30 November, Madrid (Spain), hosted by THE CIVICS Innovation Hub
Alpbach Ideas
The yearlong journey – initiated by the European Forum Alpbach and funded by the European Union – aims to tackle pressing challenges with innovative approaches. Alpbach IDEAS provides aspiring changemakers and innovators of all ages and backgrounds with a space to experiment, learn and cocreate ideas for a bolder Europe and offers its participants support through collaborative workshops, access to tools, mentorship or simply by asking the right questions.
At the EFA23, the new cycle of Alpbach IDEAS was kicked-off with three IDEAS Camps, where an inspirational and international group of participants learned how to articulate their visions and aspirations and delved into different approaches to problem-solving, while also having the opportunity to put the learned framework into practice.
The final highlight: Ten IDEAS teams individually produced a short video reel, pitching their ideas for a bolder Europe – ranging from a catalogue for sustainable building materials to an innovative EU voting advice app for young people. By public vote and with the evaluation of a jury, four winning teams were chosen to participate in three bootcamps which started in November 2023.
We are excited to see how the Alpbach IDEAS journey will continue: At the European Forum Alpbach 2024, the IDEAS teams will present their finalised ideas for a bolder Europe.
Your support makes it possible
Various types of financing enables the organisation to continuously pursue its mission of strengthening the European continent.
Budget sources
Sponsoring (Corporates, Public)
Grantmaking foundations
Public grants
Scholarships of clubs
Endowments to share capital
Membership fees
External
Operating Expenses (sum of the following positions)
Depreciation and
Sponsorships, funding foundations, ticket sales, public subsidies, donations, talent development, membership fees and scholarships from the clubs ensure the work of the organisational team throughout the year and enable us to work independently.
Budget and expenses
How are the projects and the annual event of the European Forum Albpach financed?
Executive Board
The boards of the European Forum Alpbach Association and the European Forum Alpbach Foundation consist of 17 dedicated people with one goal: to positively contribute to the future of Europe. The Foundation and Association are chaired by Andreas Treichl, who is elected president since 2020. Together with a team of international experts, he is responsible for the orientation and strategy of the European Forum Alpbach.
President Association and Foundation
Andreas Treichl
Vice Presidents Association
Michaela Fritz*, Florence Gaub*, Katja Gentinetta*, Antonella Mei-Pochtler**, Katarzyna Pisarska*, Marie Ringler
Other Members Executive Board Association
Andreas Bierwirth (Treasurer), Irene Giner-Reichl*, Klaudie Mrkusová (FAN), Thomas Wieser *, Howard Williamson*, Werner Wutscher *, Jennifer Zeller (FAN)
Other Members Executive Board Foundation
Caroline Hornstein-Tomić, Winfried Kneip, Boris Marte*, Karl Sevelda*
Members of the Forum Alpbach Network (FAN) Board
Andreas Maierhofer, Klaudie Mrkusovà, Philipp Mendoza, Jennifer Zeller, Dorotea Neuberg, Florian Boschek
Honorary President of the EFA
Franz Fischler, Heinrich Pfusterschmid-Hardtenstein
Jury of the EFA Foundation
Almina Bešić, Klaus Poier
Auditors
Max Kothbauer*, Günther Schrems, Karl Sevelda**
* until December 2023 ** from December 2023
Arbitration Board
Katharina Scherke, Matthias Strolz, Franz Zöchbauer
Substitute member: Michael Neider
Council
The Board of Trustees follows the activities of the association and supports the compliance with its aims. It sets the principal guidelines for the functions of the association’s bodies and the preparation of the programme. It is composed of people who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment towards the association.
Chair Irene Giner-Reichl**
Vice Chair Werner Wutscher **
Martin Bernhofer*, Brigitte Brenner**, Jürgen Busch*, Cathryn Clüwer Ashbrook**, Verena Ehold, Lisa-Marie Fassl**, Erich Gornik, Wolfgang Habermayer, Michael Haider, Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger*, Valerie Hengl**, Günter Hillebrand*, Bruno Hofbauer, Herwig Hösele, Michael Ikrath, Beatrix Karl*, Sabina Kasslatter Mur, Wolfgang Knoll*, Georg Kopetz, Monika Köppl-Turyna** , Elisabeth Krainer-Senger-Weiss, Larissa Krainer**, Kathryn List, Ulrike Lunacek*, Christian Macek, Bernhard Marckhgott, Josef Margreiter, Sophie Martinetz, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Patricia Mussi-Mailer*, Dieter Natlacen, Bernhard Niessner**, Leonard Novy**, Ewald Nowotny*, Wolfgang Petritsch**, Klaus Poier, Sophie Pornschlegel**, Filip Radunović, Reingard Rauch*, Wolfgang Renner*, Verena Ringler*, Rupert Sausgruber**, Sabine Schindler*, Christoph Schneider*, Rainer Schrems, Agnes Streissler-Führer**, Matthias Strolz, Alexandra Terzić-Auer* , Stefan Wallner**, Christoph Wenna**
Association and Foundation
Many committed people support the EFA and make the annual event possible. Most of them are volunteers, except for the full-time organisational team.
Scientific Advisory Board
This is one of the central bodies of the European Forum Alpbach with regards to content programming: It proposes the general themes for the annual main event, prepares the Alpbach Seminars and provides the Board with advice and recommendations regarding the programme content. The Scientific Advisory Board consists of 30 renowned scientists and eminent representatives of the cultural sector, who elect one chairperson within their group.
Chair Michael Fritz** Vice Chair Howard Williamson
Nadia Al-Bagdadi, Brigitte Bach, Felix Creutzig **, Maria Demertzis**, Anna Durnova, Gabriel Felbermayr **, Franz-Stefan Gady **, Irene Giner-Reichl*, Katharina Gassner ** , Philipp Gerbert **, Misha Glenny **, Ian Goldin**, Berhard Haslhofer **, Hermann Hauser, Markus Hengstschläger, Sabine Junginger, Winfried Kneip*, Mark Leonard**, Dominik Markl, Katja Mayer, Josef Mitterer, Manfred Nowak, Barbara Prainsack, Michael Reiterer, Keywan Riahi**, Diemut Schilling, Nona Shepphard, Leena Srivastava**, Georg Steinhauser, Katrin Suder **, Kavita Surana**, Ulrike Tappeiner, Velina Tchakarova**, Nathalie Tocci**, Renata Uitz**
Members Representing the Forum Alpbach Network (FAN)
Andreas Maierhofer, Dorotea Neuberg, Jennifer Zeller
Former members and corresponding members of the Scientific Advisory Board* Matthias Beck, Petar Bojanić (corr.), Johann Frank (corr.), Martin H. Gerzabek, Irene Giner-Reichl (Co-Chair), Maja Göpel (corr.), Maximilian Jösch, Hedwig Josefine Kaiser (corr.), Lisa Kaltenegger (corr.), Peter G. Kirchschläger (corr.), Sylvia Knapp, Winfried Kneip (Co-Chair), Thomas Mayr-Harting (corr.), Andreas Meierhofer, Gero Miesenböck (corr.), Berthold Molden (corr.), Hanns-Christoph Nägerl, Elisabeth Oberzaucher, Daniela Pollak, Friedrich B. Prinz (corr.), Peter Purgathofer, Dirk Rupnow (corr.), Anya Schiffrin (corr.), Margit Schratzenstaller-Altzinger, Tobias Schumacher (corr.), Sarah Spiekermann-Hoff, Alma Steger, Harald Stelzer, Ulrike Tappeiner, Miriam Unterlass, Michael Wagner, Otmar D. Wiestler (corr.), Andreas Wimmer, Rudolf Zechner
* until December 2023 ** from December 2023
International Advisory Board
It unites outstanding international personalities who know Alpbach and have already prominently participated in its activities. Central tasks of the board are consultations regarding the selection of topics and speakers, but also the support of the Forum in expanding its international network.
Chair Thomas Mayr-Harting Vice Chair Thomas Wieser
Catherine Ashton, Carl Bildt **, Anna Maria Corazza Bildt **, Franz Fischler, Florence Gaub**, Katja Gentinetta** , Eamon Gilmore, Arancha González Laya, Hermann Hauser **, Jean-Claude Hollerich, Wolfgang Ischinger **, Ivan Krastev **, Miroslav Lajcák, Pascal Lamy, Philippe Narval, Katarzyna Pisarska**, Geneviève Pons, Daniel Sachs** , Jeffrey Sachs*, Anya Schiffrin**, Karel Schwarzenberg (†), Martin Selmayr, Bruno Stagno-Ugarte, Joseph Stiglitz**, Cédric Villani, Alois von Liechtenstein, Margot Wallström**
Organisational Team
The team manages the overall organisation of the main conference and the further events during the year. It ensures that all events are adequately financed, professionally
coordinated, and appropriately covered in the media. The team is also in charge of coordinating the annual scholarship programme.
Secretary General & Managing Director Feri Thierry
Elnara Abdalla, Theodora Danek, Gerlinde Ehrentraut, Evamaria Freinberger, Robert Galambos, Caroline Gossler, Markus Hafner-Auinger, Maximilian Handl, Carla Maria Hartwig (maternity leave), Dagmar Hengl, Péter Hunya, Kevin Kaiser, Hannah Kickert, Kivatkivska Maryna, Anna Köhler, Evgeniia Korkeshko, Thomas Lackner, Sophie Langer-Hansel, Bibimaya Larice, Elke Lerch, Judith Mehofer, Sandra Moreira-Weitgruber, Christoph Müller, Vinzenz Müller, Bettina Nahajowski, Sven Nelander, Melissa Német, Ankica Nikolić, Johannes Piller, Jasmin Praschberger, Annalise Rapo, Jasmina Retschitzegger, Clara Rosa RindlerSchantl, Manuel Saliger, Leopold Schmertzing, Anna Stockhammer, Clara-Maria Stonawski (maternity leave), Johannes Schneeberger, Bogdan Scintea, Leonie Sommer, Mirta Surlina, Fransisca Tan, Anna Takacs, Ekaterina Tenner, Annamaria Toth, Katia Wissinger, Paulina Wörnhör, Axel Zahlut, Bernadette Zimmermann
Partners, thank you!
Thank you for being a loyal contributor to the European Forum Alpbach. Together we will continue to build on the very fundaments of democracy, European unity, solidarity and dialogue. Let us stay strong together, help those in need and show the world what the Village of Thinkers is about. The European Forum Alpbach is not “just” a conference: Alpbach is wherever you are and wherever you act in the name of a united Europe and global solidarity.
Alpbach Circle
In order to ensure the long-term existence of the European Forum Alpbach and to enable the expansion of its network, the Alpbach Circle was founded under the leadership of Karl Sevelda. The Albach Circle is an exclusive group of people who support the Forum out of personal belief.
For further information, please feel free to contact our Senior Stakeholder Manager, Dagmar Hengl, at dagmar.hengl@alpbach.org
Main Partners
Premium Partners
A. Sochor & Co GmbH
AMCS Privatstiftung
Alois Steinbichler
AustrianStartups
AVL List
Berndorf Privatstiftung
B & C Industrieholding
Club Alpbach Steiermark
Dr. Éva Kahán Foundation
EDIZONE
EVENTORY Lab
European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
Ewald Nowotny
European Investment Bank
European Region Tyrol South Tyrol
Trentino
factor-D Diversity Consulting
Fallings Walls Foundation
Finders & Company GmbH Humanocare
Media Partners
Franz Rauch
Gebrüder Weiss
Guntard Gutmann
Gemeinde Alpbach
Georg Kopetz
Gertrude Tumpel-Gugerell
Gesellschaft Österreich - Ungarn
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
I.E.C.T. - Hermann Hauser
Impact Hub
Institut Français d’Autriche
Dr. Strohmayer Stiftung
Krieglstein & Company
Katalin und Walter Cornelius
Lenzing Papier
Martin Grüll
Michael Havel
Kovar & Partners
Lung Yingtai Cultural Foundation
Martin Grüll
Mayr-Melnhof Karton
Miba
Multitudes Foundation
NECE Labs
Oesterreichische Kontrollbank
Aktiengesellschaft (OeKB)
Petrus Advisors
Peter Kunz
Porr
Polisphere
Privatquelle Gruber
The Innovation in Politics Institute
Schindler Attourneys
Schachinger Logistik
Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment
Sigma Squared Society
Speedinvest
Wolfgang Pospischil
Picture Credits: Bogdan Baraghin, Philipp Huber, Elisabeth Mandl, Marko Risović, Andrei Pungovschi
