26-29 August 2025
Austria in Europe Days
The Forum for those shaping the EU’s future from a national perspective.
Marking the start of Austria’s political season, the Austria in Europe Days focus on the role of EU member states in Europe and internal EU challenges. Key figures from civil society, business, and parliament engage proactively with the next generation in Alpbach and broaden their networks.
Impressions
Othmar Karas, EFA President and former First Vice-President of the European Parliament at the European Forum Alpbach 2024.
Boris Vujčić, Croatian economist, university professor, and the Governor of the Croatian National Bank in a spontaneous session.
Panel discussion with Shalini Randeria, President and Rector of CEU, Alexander Soros, Chairman of the Open Society Foundation, Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for EU and Constitution in Austria, Sergei Guriev, Provost at Sciences Po and Ivan Krastev, Permanent Fellow at IWM.
President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, at the opening of "Austria in Europe Days" 2023.
Karoline Edtstadler, former Austrian Federal Minister for EU and Constitution, in the chat session "Rebuilding Ukraine" with Anna Derevyanko, Executive Director of the European Business Association.
Social get-together with food and drinks.
Chat Session "Emotions vs. Facts - Can "Factfulness" Help Change the World?" with Willibald Cernko, CEO of Erste Group Bank and Anna Rosling, co-founder of the Gapminder Foundation.
Chat Session with Oby Ezekwesili, President/Founder/CEO, Human Capital Africa (HCA) / School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG).
Hike Session "Time for a „Zeitenwende“ in Austria?".
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Line up of our highlight sessions
Opening: Austria in Europe Days
Thirty years after Austria’s accession to the European Union, the opening of the Austria in Europe Days will reflect on what has changed - and what still holds true. As Europe faces internal and external challenges, the session asks: How can Europe recharge from within? What new incentives for EU membership are needed today?
Hike | A Union of People and Generations: Teaming Up for Europe’s Green Future
Tackling the climate crisis requires intergenerational alliances. Uniting long-term wisdom with innovative solutions can drive inclusive climate action, strengthen social cohesion, and ensure that no one is left behind in Europe’s green transition.
Towards a European Defence Union: Strategic Realism in Practice
Europe’s shift towards realpolitik is reshaping its security strategy. This session analyses the lessons of past European defence initiatives, the future of deterrence, and the way Europe must strengthen its military posture to protect its sovereignty and alliances.
Making European Climate Action Great Again: A Culture Shock
Fear alone will not drive climate action. Culture, creativity and new narratives can inspire agency, overcome division, and turn climate action into Europe’s most powerful and unifying movement for hope and leadership.
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About the European Forum Alpbach
The European Forum Alpbach is a space and place for the emergence of reflection and action.
It brings together young people from Europe and from all over the world with the most innovative minds from politics, business, civiI 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.