Stage

Come and listen to great thinkers and doers debate on stage to trigger your curiosity at the main stage event of EFA.

Stages on the Schedule 2023

Saturday, 19 August

Starting times
Early morning
Euregio Young Researcher Award 2023
240

Six finalists from different scientific disciplines will present their high-level research work on the topic of energy. With various research questions ranging from the topics of energy transition to security of supply, the finalists were selected from a total of 35 submissions. The overall winners will be awarded by the jury from the Euregio universities at the Tyrol Day.

Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Schrödinger-Saal
08:30 - 12:30 Euregio Young Researcher Award 2023
Afternoon
Euregio Innovation Award 2023
240
During the Euregio Days, entrepreneurs, inventors and researchers from the Euregio region Tyrol-South/ Tyrol-Trentino, will present their innovative products, processes and services concerning the field of energy. The best projects are selected by a top-level jury led by Josef Margreiter and will be awarded at the Tyrol Day which follows Sunday, 20 August. 
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Schrödinger-Saal
14:00 - 18:00 Euregio Innovation Award 2023
Evening
Alpbach Seminars: Opening and Welcome Ceremony
120
Join the European Forum Alpbach 2023 kick-off for scholarship holders and participants of the ALPBACH SEMINARS! Meet your group, see an art performance and inform yourself about everything you need to know to successfully navigate through the days ahead.
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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18:00 - 20:00 Alpbach Seminars: Opening and Welcome Ceremony
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+10

Sunday, 20 August

Starting times
Morning
Tyrol Day 2023: Euregio Summit on Energy Transition and Security of Supply
90

Crisis as an opportunity for the energy transition: Rising energy prices and the disastrous dependence on Russian gas made us aware of our vulnerability in the energy sector as a result of the war in Ukraine. What potentials does the Euroregion Tyrol/South Tyrol/Trentino have in the field of renewable energies? How does climate change influence the energy transition? How can cross-border security of supply be improved? The Tyrol Day 2023 provides answers!

Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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10:45 - 12:15 Tyrol Day 2023: Euregio Summit on Energy Transition and Security of Supply
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+3

Friday, 25 August

Starting times
Afternoon
How Will AI Shape Humanity and Vice Versa?
English 60
Artificial intelligence both augments and disrupts human capacities and activities. Due to the speed and process of the AI revolution, humanity might struggle to adapt. Changes due to AI might be perceived as new freedoms or dangerous dependencies. As this coexistence of humanity and AI becomes the new normal, how will our lives change? What will it mean to be human in the age of AI?
 
Session objective: Building understanding – Build your understanding by learning about personal insights and experiences as well as developments in science, society, politics or world affairs. 
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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17:00 - 18:00 How Will AI Shape Humanity and Vice Versa?
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+3
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Evening
Pitch: Europe – Who is the Future?
English 60
In this time of polycrisis, Europe must ask 'Who are we?' and 'Who do we want to be?'. Knowledge and information alone are not enough to improve our actions; we need new practices of collaboration between generations, disciplines, experts and European citizens. Emerging from the “Youth as Key for Democratic Renewal” Lab initiated and funded by ERSTE Foundation, we will hear divergent visions of who will lead tomorrow, assessing how to engage the "Next Generation” in political activity and processes.

Session objective: Imagining new possibilities – Get inspired and foster new ideas by imagining bold solutions to complex challenges and imagine disruptively new ways of thinking.
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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18:30 - 19:30 Pitch: Europe – Who is the Future?
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+3
Dem

Saturday, 26 August

Starting times
Afternoon
Why Women Should Run the World
English 60
Women have historically been underrepresented in leadership roles and have faced various forms of discrimination and barriers to accessing high-ranking positions. Studies have shown that women bring collaborative leadership styles and a focus on social issues that can lead to more equitable and inclusive policies. How do they overcome the obstacles they face? How can women set their own agenda and shape their respective fields?
 
Session objective: Building understanding – Build your understanding by learning about personal insights and experiences as well as developments in science, society, politics or world affairs. 
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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17:00 - 18:00 Why Women Should Run the World
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+5
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Evening
Pitch: Empowering the Youth Through Sustainable Financial Education
English 60
Young people’s level of economic knowledge and financial management skills is strongly influenced by their social environment. This leads to unequal opportunities as they enter adulthood. In this year’s competition, MEGA Education Foundation invites you to vote for the best ideas tackling financial and economic equity in our society. Join us at this crowd voting event to elect the winners who will receive seed funding to turn their ideas into reality!
 
Session objective:  Making progress visible – Be surprised by current progress, witness the establishment of new good practices and find hidden treasures of transformation. 
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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18:30 - 19:30 Pitch: Empowering the Youth Through Sustainable Financial Education
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Fin
International Evening: Stage
90
The International Stage is a vibrant event showcasing the cultural diversity of the participants from 100 different nationalities. With interactive elements and engaging activities, it creates an immersive experience celebrating global unity and fostering cross-cultural connections.

INFO: Please feel warmly invited to attend the International Day in your traditional clothing.
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
20:00 - 21:30 International Evening: Stage

Sunday, 27 August

Starting times
Afternoon
Opening: Europe in the World Days
English 120
With the multiple crises our continent is still facing, Europe needs to become bolder in shaping the world. It must accelerate its green transition, regain its technological competitiveness, take its security into its own hands and defend its democratic values. A Bold Europe is not an option, it is a necessity.
 
First Part: Europe's role in the World and a Bold Europe - European Neighbourhood and Geopolitics
 
Speakers: 
- Alexander Schallenberg
- Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu
- Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya
- Oleksandra Matviichuk
 
Second Part: Europe's role in the World and a Bold Europe - Democracy and Climate
 
Speakers: 
- Reinhard Bütikofer
- Kirsten Dunlop
- Oby Ezekwesili
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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16:30 - 18:30 Opening: Europe in the World Days
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+9

Monday, 28 August

Starting times
Afternoon
Grow – Green – Digital: Which Role for Capital Markets?
English 60
A sustainable and resilient economy is the foundation of Europe’s future prosperity. To achieve this, Europe needs to provide sufficiently diverse sources of finance for the ecological and digital transition, and for financing the structural shifts in our economies, including those caused by recent geopolitical events. What is the role of larger and more liquid capital markets? How can they help secure Europe’s future prosperity? How can these sources of finance be increased and efficiently used? 

Session objective: Imagining new possibilities – Get inspired and foster new ideas by imagining bold solutions to complex challenges and imagine disruptively new ways of thinking. 
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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17:00 - 18:00 Grow – Green – Digital: Which Role for Capital Markets?
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+6
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Evening
Pitch: Falling Walls in Science and Society
English 60
Falling Walls promotes visionary ideas and connects creative minds. In this year's competition, outstanding young scientists and entrepreneurs have exactly three minutes to convince the Alpbach audience of their innovative ideas, research, and business projects. Join the crowd voting and choose the winners who will receive a ticket to the renowned Falling Walls Conference in Berlin in November!
 
Session objective: Making progress visible – Be surprised by current progress, witness the establishment of new good practices and find hidden treasures of transformation. 
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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18:30 - 19:30 Pitch: Falling Walls in Science and Society
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+6
Fin
The 17th Annual Speakers Night at the European Forum Alpbach
English 105
Club Alpbach Styria organises this popular public speaking contest as a platform for scholarship holders to showcase their oratorical skills on the big stage. The format offers a select group of bright young minds the ideal opportunity to share their ideas and perspectives on a pre-determined general topic with a larger audience, all while receiving valuable feedback from a distinguished panel.
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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20:15 - 22:00 The 17th Annual Speakers Night at the European Forum Alpbach
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+4

Tuesday, 29 August

Starting times
Noon
TU Austria Innovation Marathon - the Results
English 30
24 hours of product development: four tasks, 28 scholarship holders and 24 hours of time. That is the recipe with which the "TU Austria 
Innovation Marathon" finds solutions to real tasks set by companies. In this informative, inspiring and simultaneously entertaining plenary 
session, the teams present the solutions they have developed in 24 hours in Alpbach.
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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12:30 - 13:00 TU Austria Innovation Marathon - the Results
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Afternoon
Democracy vs. Autocracy – How can Democracy Succeed?
English 60
There is not only a global competition between liberal democracies and autocratic regimes as systems of governance, which is intensified by the War in Ukraine. But in all our societies, authoritarian forces are increasingly gaining ground. Europe is no exception in facing both internal and external threats to liberal democracy. How can we strengthen liberal democracies in Europe? How best can the challenges of authoritarian rule be met? What role could Europe play in ensuring the success of democracies worldwide?
 
Session objective: Challenging assumptions – Have your beliefs and assumptions questioned, broaden your perspective and critically reflect on old and new questions and challenges.  
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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17:00 - 18:00 Democracy vs. Autocracy – How can Democracy Succeed?
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+4
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Evening
Pitch: The New Energy High Potentials
English 60
The world is buzzing with innovations in the energy sector - which ones do you believe tick the most boxes and are already underway to kick off the next large-scale trend? Is it green hydrogen, is it deep geothermal energy or is it small modular reactors (SMRs)?
 
Session objective: Making progress visible – Be surprised by current progress, witness the establishment of new good practices and find hidden treasures of transformation. 
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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18:30 - 19:30 Pitch: The New Energy High Potentials
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+3
Cli

Wednesday, 30 August

Starting times
Afternoon
Opening: Austria in Europe Days
English 120
With the multiple crises our continent is still facing, Europe needs to become bolder in shaping the world. It must accelerate its green transition, regain its technological competitiveness, take its security into its own hands and defend its democratic values. A Bold Europe is not an option, it is a necessity.
 
First Part: What can Central European States contribute to a Bold Europe?
 
Speakers: 
- Alexander Van der Bellen
- Natasa Pirc Musar
 
Second Part: How to strengthen Europe's Economic and Financial Sovereignty
 
Speakers: 
- Paschal Donohoe
- Othmar Karas
- Maria Demertzis
- Ralph Hamers
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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16:30 - 18:30 Opening: Austria in Europe Days
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+7

Thursday, 31 August

Starting times
Afternoon
The Future of Transatlantic Relations after 2024
English 60
In recent months, the two sides of the Atlantic have drawn closer together in the face of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. However, first cracks are already visible in the transatlantic front, for example when it comes to industry subsidies or relations with China. Next year could bring another challenge to the relationship as both the EU and the United States will be heading to the polls. What would a Republican victory mean for EU-US relations and how should the EU prepare for all possible outcomes?
 
Session objective: Imagining new possibilities – Get inspired and foster new ideas by imagining bold solutions to complex challenges and imagine disruptively new ways of thinking. 
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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17:00 - 18:00 The Future of Transatlantic Relations after 2024
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+4
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Evening
Pitch: The Clash of World Orders
English 60
In February 2022, the leaders of Russia and China announced their intention to build a new world order more in line with their interests and less dominated by the West. Is this the beginning of a new Cold War or are we moving towards a multipolar system with multiple centres of power? Alternatively, one could also argue that Russia’s setbacks in Ukraine and China’s failed COVID-19 policy mean that the United States will remain the sole superpower for the foreseeable future. Three speakers will present their views on the current world order and the future one in 2040.
 
Session objective: Challenging assumptions – Have your beliefs and assumptions questioned, broaden your perspective and critically reflect on old and new questions and challenges. 

//INFO: Listen to three different perspectives on the topic, challenge the speakers with your questions and comments, and vote on which pitch you found the most compelling.
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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18:30 - 19:30 Pitch: The Clash of World Orders
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+3
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Friday, 01 September

Starting times
Afternoon
How to Strengthen Resilience in the Face of Polycrisis?
English 60
Pandemics, climate disasters, war, inflation, food and energy shortages – all of the current global crises continue revealing the profound interconnections and dependencies we face on material, geopolitical, environmental and social level. The global target of a net-zero world by 2050 adds further urgency for action. How can we increase the resilience of our states and societies in the face of so many complex challenges? Is the EU’s strategic autonomy the key to getting ahead of future crises?
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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17:00 - 18:00 How to Strengthen Resilience in the Face of Polycrisis?
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+5
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Evening
Pitch: Visions for a Bold Europe
English 60
The need for Europe to become bolder is the focus of discussions at this year’s European Forum Alpbach. What does a ‘Bold Europe’ entail and how do we get there? On the final evening of the Forum, the top three speakers of the Speakers Night will present their visions for a Bold Europe. Join the discussion, challenge the speakers and share your perspective on a Bold Europe.
 
Session objective: Imagining new possibilities – Get inspired and foster new ideas by imagining bold solutions to complex challenges and imagine disruptively new ways of thinking.
Congress Centrum Alpbach , CCA Herz-Kremenak-Saal
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18:30 - 19:30 Pitch: Visions for a Bold Europe
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+3
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Sec