New Europe
Alpbach is not an ordinary conference, it is what you make of it.
With Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine, Europe has changed overnight. We have woken up in a new Europe. And the big challenges of our time have become even more urgent: Under the general theme The New Europe, this year's event took place from 21 August to 2 September 2022 to tackle these topics and take Europe to the next level.
We need voices like yours. Together we can bridge generations and disciplines as well as open up opportunities for more diverse opinions. During the EFA22 participants By gained perspective, built solutions and became part of the alliances on which the future of this continent is based. We thought, talked and walked together – and we worked on Europe’s future. The 2022 event was designed around four thematic tracks:
Securing Europe’s Future in a Globalised World
The increasingly complex geopolitical situation in which Europe has to position itself requires the development of a European response that can effectively address current challenges and anticipate future threats while preserving its inherent values and principles. We looked at challenges for Europe’s security situation, examined the answers presented by key actors and created a framework for the development of innovative ideas.
The Climate Opportunity
At the core of the climate crisis stands a set of opportunities that will allow for systemic change, transformative solutions and innovation. We reflected on how to accelerate the transition towards carbon neutrality through new economic thinking, leadership transformation, the empowerment and engagement of everyone as well as strategic climate finance. Considering currently fast-shifting geopolitical realities in Europe, the interplay of the climate crisis and geopolitics becomes apparent.
The Financing of Europe’s Future
Europe’s impressive post-world-war success story has come to a halt during the last 20 years. The reasons for that are manyfold. The Track addressed some of the major economic and financial consequences of this unfortunate development. However, in the activist spirit of Alpbach, we also examined opportunities to revive the European story within the digital economy of the 21st century and discussed opportunities with key stakeholders on how to further develop Europe into a vibrant capital market.
The Future of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Europe
It is about the rise of populism and authoritarian politics, the failure to deliver on the promise of social advancement, the citizens’ loss of trust in representative democracy and – reinforced by the corona pandemic – a deep distrust in established media, institutional science and information channels. On the agenda: discussions on open society, better governance, participation and (dis-)information.
Watch our video and get inspired
“For more than 75 years the European Forum Alpbach has been fulfilling its obligation to strengthen Europe. With this year’s annual theme The New Europe, we have sent a clear signal that we are now, more than ever, the place where we talk about Europe’s future.” - Andreas Treichl, President of the European Forum Alpbach