Until August 30th, the European Forum Alpbach brings together scientists, future EU Commission members and leading decision-makers from politics, business, culture and civil society. More than half of the speakers are women.
At the opening, European and global leaders discussed the groundbreaking decisions that have already been made and will be made in the super election year of 2024, not only in Europe but worldwide.
They first took a look at the global connections and opened up an outside perspective on Europe: “There is one Separation between Europe and the Global South”said Marina Vanni from the Forum Alpbach Network. “When it comes to solving the climate crisis on a global level, we should not think in terms of ‘help’ but rather aim to ‘solve the problem together’”said Yemi Osinbajo, former Nigerian vice president and representative of the Climate Action Platform for Africa
James O’Brien, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, cited solving problems together as the top priority of transatlantic cooperation: “Responsible governments solve problems together. She do not resort to one-dimensional narratives, as nationalist governments do.”
In the subsequent discussion, three political personalities spoke about autocracy versus democracy – a development that can be observed both globally and on the European continent:
“We have a threat from outside and a threat from within. “This is a dramatic moment for the European Union,” said former German Vice Chancellor Joschka Fischer about the Russian war of aggression and the nationalist currents in many EU member states. But: “The European Union has always developed in crises”says MEP Svenja Hahn. José Manuel Barroso, former President of the European Commission, is convinced that “The resilience of the European Union is greater than one assumes.”
The Europe in the World Days will take place until August 27th. Numerous prominent personalities are there. The complete program and press photos can be found at www.alpbach.org
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