Panorama | EFA22

A Magazine of the European Forum Alpbach

Interviews with and articles by contributors to the European Forum Alpbach 2022: Rana Adib | Franz Eder and Martin Senn | Nebojša Nakićenović | Rolf Strauch | Stefanie Wöhl | and others

August 2022

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OUR STATE OF MIND

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INTRO Statement Alexander Van der Bellen Editorial Andreas Treichl and Feri Thierry

ALPBACH SEMINARS Interview with Howard Williamson Foreign

by Robert Prosser Humanity at the Crossroad

by Jana Ganzmann

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ALPBACH IDEAS Interview with Winfried Kneip Alpbach Ideas: How to Figuring an ideation process

THE WESTERN BALKANS AND CROATIA Interview with Caroline Hornstein-Tomić

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SECURING EUROPE'S FUTURE IN A GLOBALISED WORLD Interview with Irene Giner-Reichl A European Awakening in Foreign ­and ­Security Policy?

by Franz Eder and Martin Senn

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ARTS & CULTURE Sounds of Europe Alpbach Choirs Interview with Theresa Hattinger and Clemens Wenger

AUSTRIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Technologies as the Key to Overcoming Crises

by Martin Kugler

THE FINANCING OF EUROPE’S FUTURE Interview with Andreas Treichl Terms of Trade Shock and the Loss of Wealth - are We Heading Back to the 1970s?

by Rolf Strauch

THE CLIMATE OPPORTUNITY Interview with Marie Ringler Energy Transformation is a Herculean ­Challenge with Multiple Benefits for All

by Nebojša Nakićenović A New Energy Order Rana Adib

THE FUTURE OF DEMOCRACY AND THE RULE OF LAW IN EUROPE Interview with Katja Gentinetta Who Cares for the EU? A Feminist Edge on Less Visible Challenges Ahead Stefanie Wöhl

»The desire for community, unity and peace has brought people to Alpbach for more than 75 years.

Especially now, it is essential that we keep on working on this idea in order to ensure a strong Europe for generations to come.«

Europe has changed overnight. Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine has shaken our continent and inevitably led to an uncomfortable awakening of Europe’s s­ ociety. Con­ fronted with yet another crisis people struggle to hold on future perspectives and start doubting their former beliefs. For many decades, Europe was a guarantee for peace and prosperity. This dream ended abruptly, and we have woken up in a New Europe. That‘s why we have cho­ sen »The New Europe« as our annual theme. A clear signal that we are now, more than ever, the place where we have to talk ­about Europe’s future. But what we need now are ideas and action! Action, as seen many decades ago when young people found the European Forum ­Alpbach. Action, as experienced in an enormous sense of solidarity among the people of Europe as a response the war in U ­ kraine.

Action, as demanded from the participants of this year’s EFA22 event. For this year‘s magazine, we have invited international experts to give us a better impression of the ­themes that the European Forum Alpbach will be addres­ sing this year. Especially what is required to make a sustai­ nable contribution to strengthen Europe.

Let’s build The New Europe.

Join us!

Andreas Treichl EFA President

Feri Thierry EFA Secretary General

Once again, the EFA awarded scholarships to hundreds of outstanding young talents from around the world to parti­ cipate at this year’s event. Students, young professionals and changemakers come to Alpbach and attend not only a high-level conference programme but also seminars and a variety of social and cultural activities. Howard Williamson, himself an insider of the Alpbach Seminars (former Semi­ nar Week), explains what is new about this year’s program­ me. Jana Ganzmann and Robert Prosser both give insights into the seminars that they will be hosting during EFA22.

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AP

with

Interview

What is new about the Alpbach Seminars 2022?

HW Quite a lot is new, in fact. After a decade of steady evolution, during which EFA established a combination of scientific and creative seminars within one rather generic overarching theme, and by taking place in the morning and afternoon respectively over one week, we now have the Alpbach Seminars.

These will take place over two weeks and only in the mornings, thus integrating them more with other dimensions of the EFA programme. They will be anchored within the four thematic tracks of the overall programme: Climate, Finance, Security and Democracy. For each track there will be not only scientific (academic and intellectual) and creative (personal and experiential) seminars, but also what might be called »skill-focused« seminars, in which more practical and applied competencies will be explored and developed.

AP How will the Alpbach Seminars contribute to building »The New Europe« ?

HW A late colleague of mine once suggested that the European learning agenda was akin to cooking »eggs in a pan« – once they had fused together, it would be impossible to separate them again . Clearly, the war in Ukraine and the withdrawal of Russia from the Council of Europe has put this theory

AP Alpbach Panorama HW Howard Williamson, Board Member of the European Forum Alpbach Foundation

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

Interview

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and philosophy to the test. Once more, EFA22 — through its overall programme in general and through the Alpbach Seminars in particular — is a context in which the values that have hitherto shaped Europe have to be revisited, refreshed and reasserted. The four tracks frame that reassertion and endeavour to strengthen their current fragility. COP26 and the recent UN report propel the climate emergency to the forefront of many minds, knowing the urgency of the »green transition«.

This has to be supported, however, with a reappraisal and ­r econstruction of finance arrangements and market relationships within and beyond Europe. And though the concept of security is, currently, inevitably directed towards matters of peace and security in central and eastern Europe, the idea of securing Europe’s future has much broader implications concerned with economic, political and diplomatic relations with other parts of the world. Democracy, human rights and the rule of law provided the underpinning of the »old« Europe since 1945 and now demand their own defence and renewal. Drilling into these four tracks — through expert lectures, dialogue and debate, practical exercises, experiment and experience, performance and participation during the Alpbach Seminars — will equip a cohort of scholarship holders to advocate for a »New Europe« with renewed rigour, vigour, competence and confidence.

AP Why is it important that all generations engage in discussions on the four thematic tracks?

HW The Alpbach Seminars provide a distinctive opportunity for an intensive, intellectual exchange of views and call to action among established individuals and talented young people with diverse but invariably impressive backgrounds. There is not only intergenerational but also interdisciplinary and intercultural cross-fertilisation of knowledge and perspectives.

One might describe this as deep immersive learning, usually led and facilitated by (typically older) experts in their field, but critiqued and challenged by a younger generation who also often have expert knowledge arising from many different cultural and intellectual roots.

AP Why is exchange between European and non-European scholarship holders particularly important this year?

The geopolitical global landscape is in flux. On all four tracks, balances of power and spheres of influence are shifting. As with generations, interdependency, mutuality and reciprocity need to be the watchwords. EFA has already germinated an Africa Alpbach Network, through the participation of a relatively small number of scholarship holders from Africa. There short bio have also been participants from Asia and Latin America. Their presence strengthens intercultural dialogue and provides Howard Williamson is Professor of European Youth ideas as well as more concrete examples drawn from very difPolicy at the University of South Wales in the United ferent political, economic and social contexts. This enriches Kingdom. Previously he worked the debate. The four tracks that inform the Alpbach Seminars at the Universities of Oxford, Cardiff and Copenhagen and this year may be related explicitly to Europe, but they cannot has held visiting positions be meaningfully interrogated and unravelled without reference in Hong Kong, Malta, Zagreb, Beijing, Rennes and Tehran. to other parts of the world.

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Foreign Robert Prosser

For a long time now, I have felt that the Forum away. But then you turned a corner and stumbled has given me the chance to experience a variety upon a funeral procession, a soldier was being of encounters, even unexpected ones. The fact buried, air-raid sirens sounded from the rooftops. that I received the opportunity to conduct a work- With the help of a friend of mine, a journalist reshop — together with Diemut Schilling — to cre- porting from the border area, I intended to do ate a kind of exchange between locals and schol- some research on the refugee situation in Przearship holders makes me very happy, especially myśl, the Polish border town 80 km away from due to the fact that I grew up in Alpbach, and that Lviv; I was interested in the network set up by dialogue with others is at the core of my literary non-governmental aid organisations, volunteers work. No different from many other villages in and idealists. At short notice, three ambulances, Tyrol, Alpbach is heavily characterised by tourism. which were donated by Swedish hospitals, had Holidaymakers were part of growing up when I to be brought to Lviv, and I got a chance to accomwas young. To earn a little more income, my par- pany the vehicle transfer. Weeks previously when ents‘ house functioned as a bed and breakfast. the war broke out, there was a discussion among Birthdays, Christmas and New Year‘s Eve, all of authors as to ways in which the art community the events throughout the yearly calendar, were in Western Europe could take a stand. Fundraising shared with the tourists. This made them very readings were organised, statements of support were posted on social media, efforts were made, yes, but they also seemed helpless. I told myself that it was a reliable fact that literature did not take effect until afterwards. Writing tends to have a very peculiar way of handling time: It takes close to me, and at the same time — hard to ex- time for a text to become readable, literature acts press in words, but inferred from the adults‘ be- by focusing on the past, as a response to a mohaviour — I sensed that my own family acted as ment in which pausing might not have been an a service provider. The foreigners paid for their option; it is a kind of memory store. holiday and expected to have a good time, in other words a fulfilment of Tyrol’s promises. The Unheard Voices magic of the slopes, unspoilt nature, cosiness, That, I thought, may also be the purpose of après-ski, seemingly incompatible opposites literature with regard to the war in Ukraine: in the which increasingly disgusted me the older I be- hopefully not too distant future, to try to talk with came. The feeling grew and evolved into a neces- the displaced people and the survivors, the vicsity for me to get away. tims and the offenders, and to write down the stories; all of the voices that would remain unGetting Away heard, if it were not for means such as literature The classic biographical escape, a desire to make them audible. But maybe, I thought then, to get out of the alpine narrowness, make kilo- this belief in the power of art is just lulling me into short bio Robert Prosser is an metres, no, devour kilometres. To Asia and into a cosy sense of complacency. My acquaintance’s author, performer and cu- the Caucasus for example, whatever could be suggestion that I come to Przemyśl forced me, in rator from Alpbach, Tyrol, accomplished as a student backpacker living on a manner of speaking, to become more active. I where he still resides. His work reflects on his findings money saved up from part-time jobs. It is my be- was happy about this opportunity; at least I would through his travels across the lief that if you catapult yourself into the world, be able to see with my own eyes what was hapworld — ranging from rap to you land in stories. In early April, for example, I pening in the border area, it would be a leap recitation, curatorship and happened to be in Lviv in western Ukraine. It was across the abyss, which the geographical diswriting. cold and windy, snow fell during the nights, and tance and the stereotypical images were creating, a thin layer of ice covered the roofs and the mead- which help us in our attempts to banish everyows in the park. Sometimes the war was very far thing foreign.

»It takes time for a text to become readable, literature acts by focusing on the past, as a response to a moment in which pausing might not have been an option; it is a kind of memory store.«

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

Humanity at the Crossroad — Time for a New Economic System and a New Understanding of Courage Jana Ganzmann

Expert opinion

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our future — and with that I do not mean to use it as a business opportunity. For real hope to emerge, we need systemic change, we need a business and economic system which serves people and the planet, and we need to truly democratise market forces. We need to reframe entrepreneurship as a tool to solve social and/or environmental challenges instead of just maximising profits.

Luckily, this shift is already happening. Innovation and entrepreneurship in its very ­essence have the purpose to bring about solutions for real problems. However, we need to go deeper and change underlying power structures to result in a more just wealth distribution, to counter the accumulation of power, and to go beyond the need for growth in terms of physical resources. In our seminar »Humanity at the Crossroad« — which I have the privilege to co-host with Charly Kleissner – we dive into a systemic vision for the new impact economy as a solution for the 21st century challenges. The European Forum Alpbach provides an amazing backdrop for discussing these questions with young minds with different backgrounds and perspectives from all over the world. Before co-hosting this year’s seminar on »Humanity at the Crossroad«, I had the great privilege to be empowered by the Forum’s unique setting of spaces, formats and people in an interdisciplinary and ambitious environment to become an impact entrepreneur.

With global warming, rising inequality and overuse of the limited resources of our home, planet We need systematic change Earth, the current trajectory of humanity is chalOf course, we need to go further than acalenging at best. Design flaws in our economic and demic and philosophical discussions. We need to financial systems prohibit a healthy and prosper- engage and make hard decisions to accelerate ing future for humanity and the planet. Many see the necessary change. When people in power are capitalism as the root cause for unsustainable asked what gives them hope, I often hear the anshort bio extraction and power abuse. Ever since the be- swer »It is the young people with a new mindset Jana Ganzmann has ginning of capitalism, economists and sociolo- and consciousness who are the new future«. At studied non-profit, social and gists have debated the challenges, benefits and first, this may seem and is even meant to be a health care management spe- opportunities of this system — from inequality compliment. But outsourcing all hope and recialising in innovation and entrepreneurship. She has and the concentration of power to the principles sponsibility to a generation that is not even albeen an EFA scholarship of freedom and autonomy. Capitalism has con- lowed to vote and mostly nowhere close to the holder in 2019 and will be a tributed to growth and prosperity for many, while power brokers and decision-makers of our times, seminar chair at EFA22. She is a co-founder of the Impact also exploiting nature and driving generations of seems frightening at best. people into poverty. The times have ended, when What we need is systemic change pursued Hub Tirol. we needed this type of economy as an instrument by all actors, whilst empowering underrepresentto bring about progress in terms of wealth. ed groups to be part of decision-making processes. Like most people in Alpbach, I myself am an It is time to be bold embodiment of privilege: As a European, I grew We are transitioning into a new era, where up in one of the most prosperous places on earth we need the system to solve new challenges: how with plenty of opportunities in education and to enable all people to live a meaningful and pur- freedom — none of which I created on my own. It poseful life, how to drastically reduce our global is my privilege that drives me into action. As enemissions, and how to ethically deal with power- trepreneurs we need to become true explorers ful new technologies. again and take courage in bringing about a more It is time to be bold and reframe and fun- purposeful and impact-driven economy. And it is damentally change our market economy to a about acknowledging our own privilege — and purpose it has originally been given. To see the harnessing it is a power for positive and systemmarket economy as a positive power to improve ic change.

Generating ideas for The New Europe — this is what the Alpbach Ideas are aiming for.

Winfried Kneip, member of the EFA Board, explains what the new format is all about, which project phases are in­ cluded, what results are ex­ pected and how the Alpbach Ideas will contribute to the future of Europe.

Interview

AP

AP

What are the Alpbach Ideas about?

WK The Alpbach Ideas is a format that generates ideas for the future of Europe and thus concerns the core of the European Forum Alpbach. There is now a place to weigh and evaluate ideas that are formulated by different groups of people and come up in different formats. From there, concrete approaches to current challenges are developed: climate change, the future of democracy, the security and financing of Europe, etc. In all these areas there are extraordinarily many ideas.

But pointed solutions that are supported by different people and groups in an interdisciplinary way are few and far. We want to change that with the Alpbach Ideas.

What is the concrete approach?

WK In Alpbach, there will be an Ideas Camp every afternoon during the Lab Week, in which concrete approaches to solutions are to emerge from previously collected ideas. Ideas, in turn, will be shaped in different ways: on the one hand, moderators will identify topics that received special attention during their own sessions, and on the other hand, scholarship holders and alumni from the Forum Alpbach Network will collect concrete problems in advance. Thirdly, ideas can also be contributed individually and spontaneously at a central location during the event in Alpbach by each and every participant.

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AP Alpbach Panorama WK Winfried Kneip

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

short bio Winfried Kneip, Board Member of the European Forum Alpbach Foundation is Founder and Programme Director of Love Politics in Germany. He also works as a consultant and project developer in the fields of democracy, culture and education. He is board member of the PWC Foundation and was Managing Director of Stiftung Mercator.

Interview

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From all the ideas and problems, clusters will be formed and condensed. The results will form the basis for the Ideas Camp, which will then focus on the development of concrete solutions. The idea is that there will be real cooperation between experts and scholarship holders, between scientists and artists, between decision-makers and activists.

As a result, teams will form to work together on a specific issue until the next Forum or even beyond. To speed up the process, our team in Alpbach will be composed of different experts, especially trained in generating ideas, defining processes and accompanying projects.

AP What could be the concrete results of the Ideas Camp?

WK One result could be a start-up idea. But it could also be an app, for example, or an idea that will take place as an event during the EFA next year. It could be a social movement that acts as a multiplier to get even more people on board. Of course, it is not yet clear what will happen, but we see enormous potential in the cooperation of visionary young people and experts from different fields. We expect a dynamic and motivation that will carry on from Alpbach. »Alpbach all year«, so to speak.

AP Why are ideas relating to the annual theme »The New Europe« particularly important?

WK New Europe is an aspiration. This claim is undefined at first, in the sense that we don’t know what the new Europe will look like: Will it be a Europe that grows closer together and has a stronger union? Or will it be a Europe that remains endangered, where democracy is even more at risk than it is at the moment?

For me, the topic of »The New Europe« is very closely linked to the Alpbach Ideas, because it helps us to concretise the goals of the Forum, which have been identical for over 70 years, especially in difficult times. For me, the question is: Will we manage to find plausible concepts, solutions and ideas for Europe that actually carry the essence of shaping a new Europe and that contribute to strengthening cohesion and democracy in Europe?

AP What distinguishes Alpbach Ideas from previous formats?

WK Alpbach has always been a place of ideas. On the one hand, many things have emerged here informally, but on the other hand, there have also been formats that actively promoted the generation of ideas. The concept of Alpbach Ideas and the Ideas Camp is new in that it creates space to concretise these ideas, to record them and to develop them further for the future. It is a kind of memory of ideas that does not pose problems once but reflects and develops them year after year. The Alpbach Ideas do not end after this year’s event. They will continue to be developed, evaluated by a jury, supported and ideally re-examined, questioned and sharpened during EFA23 — until a solution is not only on the table, but also implemented.

➊ Until EFA22 Collecting Ideas 1

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

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➎ 31 September to 15 October ➊ Until EFA22 Event Announcement of Winners Collecting Ideas 1: Scholarships | FAN A jury, consisting of EFA and FAN members Scholarship holders and members of the FAN are invited to identify specific challenges in as well as partner representatives, will choose their fields of action and formulate ideas on pos- projects according to thematic tracks with priority on innovation. sible solutions.

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➏ 15 October to 31 October ➋ During EFA22 Event Elaborating an Agreement Collecting Ideas 2: All Participants The winning project teams and representParticipants draw their ideas and chalatives of th European Forum Alpbach will hold lenges on a publicly open black board.

Hosts condense ideas and challenges dis- talks to thoroughly discuss each project, includcussed during their sessions and bring ing milestones, deliverables, financing and prothem to the Ideas Camp during Lab Week. cesses.

➐ 31 October to 31 June ➌ As of 27 August Work in Progress Ideas Camp and Project Development The project team, together with its menWhile new ideas can still be handed in also during Lab Week, already identified core topics tors, will elaborate the project and work on delivwill be summarised during the Ideas Camp and, erables and outcomes to be presented and/or under the guidance of process experts, trans- further discussed at the European Forum Alpbach 2023. formed into projects. ➑ EFA23: Project Presentation ➍ 2 to 31 September and Follow Up Project Submission Period The European Forum Alpbach 2023 will After EFA22, project teams will be built and projects will be drafted, describing partici- give room to Alpbach Ideas project teams to let pants and possible outcomes, and identify nec- them both present their outcome and continue working on their solutions. essary partners and mentors.

➍ 2 to 31 September Project Submission Period

➑ EFA23 Presentation and Follow Up

➌ As of 27 August Ideas Camp and Project Development ➎ 31 September to 15 October Announcement of Winners

➋ During EFA22 Collecting Ideas 2

➐ 31 October to 31 June Work in Progress

➏ 15 October to 31 October Elaborating an Agreement

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European Forum Alpbach Panorama

Interview

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Focus Topic: The Western Balkans and Croatia

with

Interview

AP Alpbach Panorama HT Caroline Hornstein-Tomić Board Member of the European Forum Alpbach Foundation

AP What objectives is the European Forum Alpthe first time. Building strategic alliances is critical, bach pursuing with its current focus on the Westnow especially. ern Balkans and Croatia?

AP Why is particularly this geographic region so HT The countries in the Balkans have always important for the European Forum Alpbach? played a major role for the European Forum AlpHT The Forum should be the natural place where bach, especially during the time Erhard Busek was you can speak to partners in Europe about the represident of the Forum. His strong commitment to gion’s development and integration. Unfortunately, the region was significant in the European arena. this doesn’t occur automatically, we need to put in Over the last 10 to 15 years, it led to the establishan effort to make that happen. And the EFA offers ment of a very lively network of clubs in the counthe perfect conditions for it: Austria has something tries of Southeast Europe. The clubs not only colof a pivotal function for Central Europe. Its very laborated very actively with each other, individual close historical ties to the Western Balkans addiones also implemented their own projects, such as tionally put Austria at a competitive advantage. It the Summer School in Belgrade. In recent years, the can draw on a tremendous wealth of knowledge activities lessened somewhat in frequency for a and continuosly grown connections in the region. variety of reasons, the main one being the pandemEven if possible accessions to the EU have come ic, but the generational change within the clubs to a halt: the group of countries has great potential posed particular challenges too. and could make very valuable contributions to the In late 2021, the EFA Executive Board finally Union. resolved to resume its support for the clubs and AP How is this focus going to be reflected in the step up activities in the region. Of course this is not European Forum Alpbach? something that can be achieved in a matter of a HT Our aim is to establish a long-term collabofew months or even a year; it needs to be looked at ration with the region. And, the Western Balkans from a long-term perspective. What we are aiming should be perceived as an entirely natural part of at with this current focus is to secure the clubs’ Europe and not as problem areas. To this end, we activities for the long term, so that young people are planning the integration of a variety of players from the region, who are committed to strengthacross all disciplines: the focus will no longer be ening their countries in a European context, receive limited to politics; instead we want to team up with support. scientists, artists and businesspersons; and espeAP What does the collaboration with the region cially with people who were abroad and are now – specifically look like? back in their home counHT After the board resolution, there were first try — pressing ahead several online meetings with the region’s club repwith developments and resentatives. An initial major meeting took place standing up for a strong in Zagreb. In the run-up to and during the meeting Europe for all of us. This there were talks with Advantage Austria, the Auswill be reflected during trian Ambassador and ERSTE Bank in order to esthe EFA22, when more tablish links to businesses and find sponsors for people from the Western scholarships. For this year this means that more Balkans than ever before than 40 young people from the region can particiwill be taking part in the pate in the European Forum Alpbach. chats, workshops and Meanwhile, another meeting between the stage events. This intenshort bio EFA and the clubs was held at the end of May in sified link to the region Skopje. Representatives of all clubs of the Western will also leave a more EFA Board member Balkans and Croatia as well as Feri Thierry and othlasting mark on the Euro- and Senior Researcher at the Institute of Social Sciences er EFA board members attended the FAN Spring pean Forum Alpbach and Ivo Pilar in Zagreb, co-founder Conference. The team from North Macedonia was will be reflected through- and managing partner of THE an excellent host and created the perfect condiout the year — particular- CIVICS Innovation Hub and the Foundation Znanje na djelu. tions for fostering exchange: exchange among ly due to the collabora- 2016-2018 Deputy Head of each of the clubs, and also among former scholartion with the clubs and the German Federal Agency for Civic Education. ship holders, the EFA and those participating for IGs on site.

Irene Giner-Reichl, EFA board member, emphasises that in order to meet Europe’s current security challenges, it is essential to consider a broad range of views, standpoints, professional and life experiences as well as to involve civil society, artists, ­ scientists and politicians likewise. In this ­Panorama issue, Franz Eder and Martin Senn focus on the EU’s options to secure the future of ­Europe.

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Interview

AP What will the track »Securing Europe's Future in a Globalised World« contribute to the general theme »The New Europe« ?

IG We will focus on security in its multiple dimensions — and given the war of aggression against Ukraine, there is a heightened urgency to our deliberations. Many people feel that we are at a turning point and that the European — and indeed the post-World War II world order — has been shaken very badly, if it has not been obliterated altogether. Europe — first and foremost the European Union — and European citizens need to take part in the quest for a new peaceful order in Europe and globally. That includes scrutinising the adequacy of European defence policy, looking at the situation in neighbourhoods, examining the quality of partnerships, confronting perceptions of self with perceptions by others, and hopefully opening up new avenues of international cooperation.

Security — in the human security lens that I prefer to adopt — is not only about military security, integrity of territory and upholding a state’s sovereignty as clearly important as that is. There are many interlinkages with the other three thematic strands — there is no human security if climate change makes our earth inhospitable for humans; if lawlessness undermines the functioning of communities; if discrimination excludes from the legitimate enjoyments of rights and

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

Interview

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short bio

AP Alpbach Panorama ig Irene Giner-Reichl, Board Member of the European Forum Alpbach

Irene Giner-Reichl is an Austrian diplomate with thematic priority in global development, environment and multilateral cooperation.

Among others, she worked as Austrian Ambassador in China and Brazil. For years she has published and educated people in women rights and sustainable energy.

fundamental freedoms; if the lack of public resources perpetuates inherited disadvantages and social exclusion. Human security is about freedom from fear and freedom from want.

It is about transmitting to the next generation a Europe where people prosper in freedom and diversity, in a vibrant natural environment, enjoying and practicing solidarity with each other and humanity at large.

AP Which topics will the track focus on?

IG Topics will include the war in Ukraine and the future of Russia; the European vision for a re-ordering of peaceful international relations, European military and defence capacities and strategies, including cyber resilience and food security.

Special scrutiny will apply to regions that are of special relevance to the EU, such as the Western Balkans or Asia, and the transatlantic relationship.

AP Why is it important that all generations engage in discussions on these topics?

IG The future of Europe belongs to all generations, to all social strata, to all ethnic backgrounds, to women and men alike.

The questions we are going to raise have no »right/false« answers; there is no black and white. It is more important to bring a broad range of views, standpoints, professional and life experiences to Alpbach, to hear from civil society, mavericks and artists just as much as we hear from holders of public office and the »usual suspects« …

Alpbach has a long tradition of offering »seminars« to young people from many parts of the world. In 2022, we will continue this tradition in a modified version. We also want to empower representatives of the younger generation to engage in all program elements and to bring their particular approaches to the questions under debate.

AP What do you personally expect from the EFA22 sessions within the track?

IG I hope that we are serious and honest with one another.

That we neither fall prey to self-flattering nor to self-flagellation. Europe faces major problems, in particular in the security area. Europe also commands tremendous potential. I expect EFA22 to shine a light on dimensions of Europe’s resilience, international standing, and its capacity to project a positive vision of a future for all.

A European Awakening in Foreign and ­Security Policy?

Franz Eder Martin Senn

When the Treaty of Maastricht estab- of its foreign policy with its strategy doclished the Common Foreign and Security ument »A Strategic Compass for SecuPolicy (CFSP), the European Union start- rity and Defence«. In contrast to the ed promoting itself as a »civilian power«. 2003 EU Security Strategy and the 2016 This was a deliberate counter-concept to Global Strategy, this Council document raw power politics in international affairs. envisions a fundamental change of the In the view of Europe, hard power had lost Union’s strategic thinking. As Josep Borits relevance in a world of economic glo- rell, the High Representative and balisation. Against the background of this Vice-President of the Commission, arworld view, promoting international trade, gues in the foreword, the world is now strengthening the rule-based internation- »shaped by raw power politics«, and the al order, securing energy supplies, and »very principles upon which internationpreventing migration became the top pri- al relations are built« are at stake. orities of EU foreign policy. At the same According to this Strategic Comtime, however, questions of military pow- pass, the EU has »to make a quantum er and questions of how to strengthen leap forward and increase [the] capacity the European security architecture be- and willingness to act, strengthen [the] came marginalised. resilience and ensure solidarity and muRussia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 tual assistance«. In this ambitious forFebruary 2022 was therefore a harsh re- eign and security policy agenda, the Unality check for the European Union. After ion has to reinforce civilian and military a short period of shock, in which single capabilities, build and strengthen commembers states such as Poland and the mon command and control structures, Baltic States but also the United States and foster its relationship with NATO, the of America took the lead in reacting to transatlantic partnership, and selected Russia’s aggression, Brussels retook the partners all over the world. At the same initiative and set out a bold re-orientation time, it has to ensure this transformation

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

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»in a collaborative way and not in a frag- is true for the neutral states in the Union. mented, national manner«.

They have to think hard about how to reIt is still too early to tell whether solve the tension between neutrality and Russia’s war against Ukraine is the begin- (European) solidarity. short bio ning of Europe’s awakening in foreign and Fourth, in the process of thinking Franz Eder is an as- security policy or yet another missed op- about the future of the European secusociate professor for foreign and security policy at the De- portunity. Yet it would not be surprising if rity architecture, the EU and its member partment of Political Science, the current crisis would have a cathartic states have to address the question of University of Innsbruck. effect on the European integration pro- how to shape their relations with the cess. An urgently needed and sustainable United States, Russia, and China in the re-orientation in the area of foreign, se- long term. As far as the United States is curity and defence policy, and especially concerned, Europe has to grapple with a deeper integration in this policy field, uncertainties of its commitment to Euhas to address at least five challenges. ropean security. In view of the domestic First, the EU needs a common for- polarisation and isolationist tendencies eign and security policy that is in sync in the United States, strategic autonomy with the member states and their nation- should become real policy rather than a al interests. The EU must not be seen as mere catchword. Vis-à-vis Russia, Europe a convenient vehicle to further certain has to address the difficult question of national economic interests (first and how to integrate it into a new security short bio foremost Germany), whereas others re- architecture. Even though this may seem Martin Senn is associate professor of international frain from taking foreign- and defence- counter-intuitive at a moment when relations at the Department of policy positions at all (e.g., Austria). Mem- Russian troops commit atrocities in Political Science of the University of Innsbruck and guest ber states have to make up their minds Ukraine and when Western policies are lecturer at the Vienna School about their visions for a future European directed towards the containment of of International Studies. security architecture before they bring Russian aggression, leaving Russia comtogether these visions at the Union level pletely outside this architecture would and search for a common strategy on be a source of constant tensions and how to achieve it. military conflict. Concerning the People’s Second, the member states and the Republic, the EU has to reconsider Union have to clarify what role military whether its policy of change via trade instruments play in foreign and security (that failed miserably in the case of Ruspolicy. How can member states contrib- sia) is the right answer in confronting ute and pool their resources to a com- China on its way to the next economic mon defence? A Europe with 27 separate and military superpower. military organisations that fail to coordiFinally, even if the Union achieves nate military investments, that lack com- to address these challenges, it has to mon command and control structures, avoid the mistake of letting the penduand that put national organisational pol- lum swing too far into the direction of itics over common European interests, power politics. Other pressing challengwill never achieve the necessary military es such as climate change, migration or capabilities needed. poverty that cannot be solved by military Third, in this context, member states means will continue to affect Europe in also have to think about their understand- the near and distant future. Thus, the EU ing of and commitment to the mutual has to manage both — it has to adapt to assistance clause (Art. 42/7 of the Treaty the future of power politics without on the European Union). In particular, this abandoning its past as a civilian power.

International cultural institutions, artists, and local scho­ larship holders conceive and realise experimental and inter­ disciplinary works that are specifically tailored to the EFA. At this year’s event, designer and artist Theresa Hattinger presents an artistic intervention in public space, while mu­ sician Clemens Wenger provides a sound collage with Alp­ bach inhabitants and scholarship holders. Concerts amidst the Alps will be further artistic highlights during the EFA22.

On Sunday, 28 August 2022, several regional choirs will be giving a public performance together in Alpbach. A piece of music (composition and words) will be commissioned especially for the choirs. Ahead of the event, we asked the choir members to get in the mood for their joint performance and confronted them with the following questions.

If you want to let your thoughts run free, what music and what sounds inspire you?

If Alpbach village were a sound, what sound do you think it would be?

What sound do you miss in Alpbach?

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What would the future sound like to you if you compared it to a sound?

How would you describe your choir with just one word?

Interview

ES Right now each of you is developing an art project for the European Forum Alpbach 2022. What we find important is that people who are once again meeting face to face in Alpbach get a chance to start feeling things again, that we appeal to their senses!

Clemens, you’re in the process of developing a soundscape and are pondering the question of how to transform Alpbach village into a sound instrument. Theresa, your installation for public spaces in Alpbach is all about ways in which we can return to making decisions by including our senses. In our interview, I would like to invite you both to reflect on the prevailing mood you are currently in with regard to your artistic process.

You developed your ideas independently, yet they react to each other and will be presented together.

CW I was inspired by something I found in an old Forum Alpbach programme from the sixties: It was called ‘record concerts’. They would set up a record player somewhere, curate a programme and play rare recordings. I can picture it quite well, how everyone sat spellbound around the record player and listened to some recordings that might have been very hard to find back then. I imagine that people used to listen to music and its sounds more closely than we do today. After all, we’re exposed to background music and sounds all day long. I loved the idea of transferring such a nice old-fashioned format, where you play something to others, to the present day. And that’s how we got talking about these ‘listening stations’ and about a mixture of sound installation, collage and lots of recordings from all over the world.

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ES Elisabeth Schack, Arts & Culture Curator at the EFA CW Clemens Wenger TH Theresa Hattinger

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

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TH As for me, I was inspired by two things: one of them was when you told Elisabeth that there was once a visitor of the EFA who kept passing through a huge art installation at the entrance of the Congress Centre Alpbach (CCA) over several days without noticing it once. I realised then that it would have to be something I would not simply be able to walk past. And the second inspiration was something funny that happened to me when I was about to buy two tickets at the museum, just after the ticket office had opened. After a queue had already formed, the ticket seller tried to herd the line of people into a guide rail system. He started setting up those posts, fixing the belts and so on. In the end, of course, the first were the last short bio and vice versa. It was just very amusing. I thought to myself Hattinger is an inthen that I wanted to create something where people had to terdisciplinary artist and voice their opinion on a subject in public. On the other hand, it designer who works with isn’t really the voicing of an opinion as the question itself is typography, textiles, space, and drawings. Primarily, her unspecific. What I want to do is to bring about a discourse. takes place in public CW You know, I’ve already seen drafts of your ‘decision work spaces. She displayed her trees’. That immediately reminded me of the airport: Of pri- works in Vienna, St. Pölten, ority class and other classes. A kind of categorisation for Leipzig, and Havana and colwhich you first pay a price. But it’s good to be able to make laboratively worked on stage design for experimental, perdecisions without having to pay for it. formative theatre and urban TH I want to take advantage of this perceived unambiguexploration projects. She also published a children’s ousness. Normally you know where you have to go. book and lives and works in CW Having to commit yourself to some sort of groups is an Vienna. interesting subject. People are always being manoeuvred into such situations where they are asked very clearly to show their true colours, but very often it’s not that easy.

ES Clemens, with your soundscapes you don’t immediately have to show your true colours, but you gave some thought to the two expressions which also seem to be opposites: listening and hearing. In English (other than in German) there are two totally different words!

CW In fact, the conceptual duality of listening and hearing occurred to me after I saw a draft of your installation, Theresa.

In German we might refer to hören versus zuhören. Actually this is quite an important factor for a forum that is intended to enable dialogue, the fact that you listen actively. This listening is an essential democratic tool in society, and not only where music and our senses are concerned. There are plenty of courses where you can practise your rhetoric and learn how to convince others of your opinion. But far too little consideration is given to active listening, to understanding something without instantly having to react to it. Allowing yourself to be impressed by an opinion or a sound — that’s something which naturally interests me as a musician and a composer. And that’s exactly what we want to offer in our sound installation. Just short bio 30-second to two-minute slots, not a continuous installation.

Wenger lives and works in Vienna as a musician Pieces of music from soundscapes that are somehow dreamed and composer for contempo- up and mixed together to form a collage. We want to invite rary jazz, pop, and electronic people to actively listen and then to keep calm, or calm down. music. He initiated the JazzWerkstatt Wien and acts as TH When you think about the Forum, a lot of head of the Viennese soul charged content comes to mind, much of it is band 5/8erl in Ehr’n for 18 about opinions and forming opinions fast. You hear years. something and you must join in the discussion straight away, and if you’re too slow you’re stupid. Compared to that, the music and the sphere in general which you’re planning are things of beauty, because they immediately draw your attention but remain so informal.

CW Well, something I’d really find beautiful would be if peo-

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European Forum Alpbach Panorama

ple who enjoy doing a lot of talking and are good at it stayed silent for five minutes and put on the headphones. And if you could just watch them doing it, watch them listening. I’ve been to the Forum twice and there were some brilliant talkers there. Once I saw Richard David Precht. No wonder he, as a philosopher, is such a public figure: it’s because he’s so good at talking. But I’d love to see him listening and not just constantly talking.

ES Theresa, do you think that your intervention in a could change the fundamental energy and the encounter culture of the people in Alpbach?

TH It’s going to be a total experiment, and I imagine that half the people will probably stroll right through it quickly without wanting to look around, because they’re not keen on being distracted. And then again, there might be this other group which is open to discourse and starts considering: Now how did I interpret this word yesterday? Why did I walk through on this side? I like this moment, because even the people who ignore it have to walk through and think about it, if only for a short time. And yes, it only appears to be a decision. That’s how it can be understood.

ES Just now, we have a situation in the world where Europe must decide, and also many people must decide, always individually, on which side they are on. How appealing is it to you to design an installation where you put people in a situation that provokes what appears to be a decision.

TH It has something to do with our habit of only reading the headlines.

To me as an individual, a particular word may bring to mind a whole bunch of associations, but the person right next to me might think of something completely different. Actually, everyone ought to give much more thought to decisions like these. Every decision is more a question of socialisation than an opinion that I have actually made an effort to form. So how do I really interpret this word? In this respect, your decision and my decision are not the same, even if we walked through on the same side.

ES How do you approach your project, who is involved in it and what do you expect from it at the European Forum Alpbach 2022?

TH There is a selection I made spontaneously; additions will be made to it in coordination with the team and in accordance with the EFA22 themes.

CW The idea is to collect sound recordings from the scholarship holders, mix them into a collage and incorporate them into the scenery at two places in Alpbach — in front of the CCA and on the village square. It’s going to be a collage of sounds from all over the world, but also music which I will improvise, inspired by the collected sounds. It takes a rhythm, an arch and dynamics, which — combined with the material — give time a shape.

I don’t do this on the drawing board, I like to play with it. And then I reflect on it, rearrange it and carry on playing.

TH It would really be cool if the participants of the EFA22 entered discussions and encounters differently on account of our projects.

But that is one very optimistic wish.

Nevertheless, people are sure to benefit from actively withdrawing for a moment.

CW Organising public art in places such as Alpbach is pretty important.

No one will be able to pass by Theresa’s installation and that’s a good thing.

There are always such a lot of topics and too many interests swirling around in Alpbach, that’s why it’s a good thing to steer them somewhere, in an artistic way.

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»It has something to do with our habit of only reading the headlines. To me as an individual, a particular word may bring to mind a whole bunch of associations, but the person right next to me might think of something completely different.«

»The idea is to collect sound recordings from the scholarship holders, mix them into a collage and incorporate them into ­the ­scenery at two places in Alpbach — in front of the CCA and on the village square.«

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Technologies as the Key to Overcoming Crises The technology community is meeting at this year’s European Forum Alpbach to consider possible solutions to the multiple crises facing us today — from energy transition and more resilient supply chains to modern medical and communications technologies.

Martin Kugler, Austrian Institute of Technology

A recent report by the Stockholm-based Hannes Androsch, doyen of the technolInternational Peace Research Institute ogy symposium from the very beginning.

SIPRI details that we are living in a new The traditional meeting of the technology era of complex and often unpredictable community in Alpbach is curated by the risks. Multiple crises overlap and rein- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and force one another: the Corona crisis, cli- ORF Radio Ö1 in cooperation with the Eumate change, biodiversity loss, energy ropean Forum Alpbach. The programme crisis, the war in Ukraine. These and of these talks — along the four thematic many other geopolitical tensions are in- tracks of the European Forum Alpbach creasingly affecting the lives of more and 2022 — follows the major challenges facmore people. ing humanity.

The multiple crises have massive economic and social impacts. These Global supply chains range from a shift in the terms of trade Starting with the corona crisis and and thus prosperity in different regions now massively intensified by the war in to social tensions that can be a threat to Ukraine, energy security has become a democracy. Technologies offer an impor- top issue of our days. What is needed is tant key to overcoming these crisis phe- a comprehensive transformation of our nomena — this is the firm conviction of energy system toward a system that si-

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

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multaneously ensures security of supply biles are very useful things, but they can and climate protection. An international also be misused as lethal weapons. The panel of top researchers and industry same applies to information and comrepresentatives is looking for ways to munication technologies. Not least in completely rethink our energy system. the war in Ukraine, the internet has beThe panel will discuss fundamental re- come a war zone — an infowar and a quirements for the future energy supply cyberwar are raging. On the one hand, and for ways to make our use of resourc- the real fighting in Ukraine is accompaes more resilient, sustainable and secure. nied on social media by videos of battles, The energy crisis is embedded in the tur- fleeing people and bombed buildings. In moil facing international supply chains. the fight for narratives, heroic stories These lifelines of the global economy seamlessly line up with disinformation. have been running anything but smooth- On the other hand, hacktivists are enly since the outbreak of the pandemic: gaged in an exchange of blows using all closed ports and slaughterhouses, short- digital means at their disposal: from the ages of containers, lack of truck drivers, shadows of the internet, warlike hacker etc. Thus, supply routes for both the in- groups attempt to damage the other dustry and global food supply have be- side and to paralyse infrastructures, come uncertain. Top-class ex- among other things. perts will analyse the underlying common mechanisms for Integrative power of the arts At the meeting of the technology seemingly unrelated developments from the perspective of community in Alpbach, the role of the complexity research and prac- arts in the necessary transformations tice. This will provide a solid ba- facing our social and economic system sis for conceptualising a more will also be intensively discussed. An inresilient and climate-friendly terdisciplinary debate in cooperation with the University of Applied Arts Vienglobal economic system. na will outline new ways to encourage people to rethink, to act, and to creativeRNA-based medicine Just how crucial technology can be ly prepare society for future upheavals. in shaping the future has recently beRTI talk: Debate on future solutions come clear, particularly in biotechnology: innovative RNA-based vaccines have »New Europe« is facing great chalproved to be rapidly available and effec- lenges, and it is urgent that new answers tive weapons in the fight against the are given from Europe itself. In the openCovid-19 pandemic. In recent years, it ing RTI talk, which has become a valued has become clear in laboratories around tradition, top representatives of politics the world that this technology can do and industry will be on hand to answer much more: numerous areas of medi- questions.

Finally, this year again the personal cine, especially the treatment of cancer, but also, for example, the regeneration exchange and intensive further processof damaged tissue, can benefit greatly ing of the four thematic tracks of the Fofrom RNA-based therapeutics. In coop- rum are possible. Highly attractive and eration with the Helmholtz Association solid content sessions deepen these topof German Research Centers, the oppor- ics, far from marketing and advertising tunities as well as the risks and hurdles purposes. In preparation for reading and for this medical field of hope will be dis- further input before the talks, the yearbook cussed. »Discussing Technology« will be pubOf course, technology is always a lished again this year; it is dedicated to the coin with two sides: Knives or automo- topic »Applying Artificial Intelligence«.

In the activist spirit of Alpbach, we will exami­ ne opportunities to revive the European story with-in the digital economy of the 21st century.

In intergenerational dialogues, Andreas Treichl will discuss how to further develop the conti­ nent into a vibrant capital market. Featuring in this chapter is also economist Rolf Strauch, who puts emphasis on financial challenges that families and firms are currently facing.

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The Financing of Europe’s Future

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Interview

AP What will the track »The Financing of Europe’s Future« contribute to the general theme »The New Europe« ?

AT Certainly a lot! The war in Ukraine has resulted in severe disruptions of trade and financial flows as well as in a collapse in asset values. These developments will lead to a re-orientation of economic interlinkages, not only in Europe but also globally, in a way we have not witnessed in decades. While debt levels have already been increasing steadily over the last years, these disruptions will pose additional challenges, not only to the growth but also to the financial underpinning of numerous companies. Eventually, those who will have to bear the consequences of these developments are numerous industries as well as private individuals — especially the ones who are financially non-resilient. I strongly believe that it is Europe’s obligation not to leave anyone behind in this context.

Consequently, the track »The Financing of Europe’s Future« will address the major financial drivers and consequences of these developments. Looking back, Europe had an impressive post-world war development by providing growth, jobs, social security, and stability in an unprecedented manner.

Recent events though, like the health crisis and Russia’s war in Ukraine, have shown us that Europe has become more and more vulnerable. In Alpbach we want to examine how Europe can flourish even in times of volatility.

European Forum Alpbach Panorama AP

short bio

AP Alpbach Panorama at Andreas Treichl, President of the European Forum Alpbach

Andreas Treichl, the president of the EFA, served for more than 23 years as CEO of Erste Group, one of the leading retails banks in CEE. In 2003 he founded ERTSE Foundation, which is the bank’s main owner and acts as an NGO, utilising dividends for social and cultural projects in the region.

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On which topics will the track focus?

AT The track focuses on the major economic and financial consequences of Russia’s war in Ukraine. If we want to rise to these challenges, we require additional finance. Without well-functioning financial markets and a better developed European capital market, our efforts to master these consequences will not bear fruit. Now more than ever, we need to ensure that European citizens have fair access to financial instruments. We need to highlight the importance of economic and financial education across all walks of life to be able to secure Europe’s future and the financial independence of its citizens. At the same time, we look at fundamental digital developments, from crypto to decentralised finance, which are about to change our traditional financial system for good. Europe must not fall behind in the global competition for digital innovation in comparison to Asia and the USA. Therefore, we need to take the right steps towards more integrated financial markets and a more positive view on entrepreneurship. Finally, to revive the European success story, we must have a close look at the impact of rising social imbalances as well.

AP Why is it important that all generations engage in discussions on these topics?

AT Cross-generational dialogue is a core element of the European Forum Alpbach. It is our clear mission to bring together people from all parts of society and invite them to an interdisciplinary exchange of ideas. Young scholarship holders from all over Europe — and beyond — have the opportunity to engage with people from academia, politics, and business. By doing so, we want to spark ideas and actions for a strong and democratic Europe. For this, we need to include the youth at all costs, as they are the ones who are affected by the rising inequality or the current monetary policy. For many of them, it will hardly be possible to build up assets from their own income alone. Clearly, there is a lot of work ahead of us. It is precisely this mindset of sharing and challenging ideas between different generations which have inspired so many to come to Alpbach ever since its founding in 1945.

AP What do you personally expect from the EFA22 sessions within the track?

AT As a father of three sons, I want to envision a prosperous European future — not only for the current generation but also for those to follow. To succeed in that, we need to see the opportunities and also the challenges which lie ahead of us: Europe is not yet a data union, a network union, a transport union, an education union, a capital markets union and only to a limited extent a fiscal union. Obviously, we need to address these challenges while interlinking it with the Security, Democracy and Climate Tracks. Various formats such as a threeday retreat, stage discussions, workshops and hikes will foster interdisciplinary and interactive exchange between speakers, experts, and participants. Right now, it is essential to turn this momentum into an opportunity for a strong and peaceful Europe — for the New Europe!

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Terms of Trade Shock and the Loss of Wealth — Are We Heading Back to the 1970s?

Rolf Strauch

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is undoubtedly a on growth. First, the inflationary pressure will humanitarian and geopolitical tragedy that is also hinge on how commodity prices will affect the stifling economic recovery from the pandemic cost of living, which may only be fully apparent and introducing renewed uncertainties. House- in a year. Later, the inflationary effect will depend holds and companies are facing supply disrup- on how they affect wage- and price-setting. The tions and higher prices. The rise in energy prices precise impact will differ across euro area counand in a broad range of products has reached an tries, depending on each country’s energy deunprecedented pace not seen in the Economic pendency, trade structure and wage-bargaining Monetary Union so far, raising questions about system. how families and firms can address these costs.

While there are fears that the euro area Targeted fiscal support can help cushion the blow may end up in an extended period of »stagflato vulnerable households. Governments can help tion« (combination of higher prices and low by pushing the energy transition forward and by growth) like in the 1970s and 1980s, several arreducing or diversifying energy import depend- guments point to Europe’s higher resilience to encies. energy price shocks than in the past.

Consequences of a multiple crises Higher resilience The current increase in oil, gas, grain, and First, lower energy dependency has made metal prices translates into major changes in the euro area economies less vulnerable to enershort bio terms of trade for countries around the world (i.e., gy price hikes. Energy consumption per person Rolf Strauch is Chief Economist and Management the relative price of their imports and exports). has been declining over the past decades. SimiBoard Member in charge of Over the past year, the price of energy and other larly, the energy intensity — i.e., energy used to Economic and Market Analysis, commodities imported into the euro area in- produce a given level of output — has decreased, Economic Risk Analysis and Financial Sector and Market creased faster than the price of its exports, dis- weakening the impact of fuel price increases.

Also, the share of energy in European Analysis of the European Sta- advantaging its economy. The rebound of global bility Mechanism (ESM) and demand following the pandemic crisis initially countries’ foreign trade has declined overall. This the European Financial Stabi­ drove this change. Initially, euro area economies has a lot to do with the energy mix within euro lity Facility (EFSF). suffered from the higher costs of imports, but area countries, which have increased their prohigher demands for its exports partially balanced duction of nuclear and renewable energy (see this out. Renewed supply shortages emerging Figure 1). There are substantive differences in the from the war now drive up prices in goods export- specific structure of the energy sector across ed by Ukraine and Russia (and imported by Eu- countries. rope), such as energy, food, and metals.

Second, labour markets function differentReal income loss — from deteriorating ly than in the past and generate less persistent terms of trade — has reached magnitudes com- inflationary pressures. Today, labour unions are parable to the big oil price shock of the 1970s. less powerful than in the 1970s as they rally a The terms of trade deterioration will add to infla- lower share of workers behind them. In addition, tionary pressures in the euro area and put a dent there is less wage indexation wage setting, which

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automatically links wages to price increases. In poorest most, as they consume a large part of their earlier crises, especially after the second oil price earnings. Governments can aim to cushion the imshock, many workers would also retire early or pact for the most vulnerable with targeted policies. otherwise drop out of the labour market entirely For firms, the need for policy support depends on (see Figure 2). This increased wage pressure and how energy-intensive the sector is and on whether is much less visible now due to past reforms. access to financing from banks and markets reThird, the European Central Bank can build on its mains possible. From a longer-term perspective, a strong reputation, as inflation expectations have rapid and effective deployment of the Next Generremained aligned with the objective of price sta- ation EU fund seems increasingly vital. Enforcing bility over the medium-term. Once inflation ex- the green transformation and strengthening enerpectations become de-anchored (i.e., consumers gy diversity was already a key objective for the fuand businesses do not believe the central bank ture, but a crisis has made the urgency to act more will meet its price stability objective), tighter acute. than expected monetary policy may be required to re-anchor them. This is more costly for growth, Uncertainty remains as higher interest rates push up the cost of borDeteriorating terms of trade lead to a loss of rowing and weaken consumption and investment. income and wealth, but the euro area economy is overall better prepared to weather commodity price Policy measures hikes than in the past. This should make its impact In terms of policy response, the loss of less persistent, but one just must be mindful that wealth cannot be entirely avoided or corrected. The it is unknown how the war will evolve and that meincreases in energy and food prices will affect the dium- to long-term repercussions are uncertain.

3.500 3.000 2.500 2.000 1.500 1.000 500 0 1985

1990

Nuclear

Figure 1 Electricity generation in the EU (in terawatt hours) Source: British Petroleum

1995 Hydro

2000

2005

2010

Other renewable

2015

2020

Total generation

80

75

70

Figure 2 Labour force participation rate in the euro area with the 12 member countries until 2021 (15—64 years) Note: Grey bars refer to the Centre for Economic Policy Research recession definition. Source: European Commission (AMECO database), Centre for Economic Policy Research

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60 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020

In the light of current geopolitical realities, interdependen­ cies between the climate crises and geopolitics have be­ come apparent. Consequently, Rana Adib, Executive Direc­ tor of REN21 and Nebojša Nakićenović , author and former Deputy Director General of IIASA, urge for energy transfor­ mation and a new energy order. These developments also require social change. Marie Ringler, EFA vice president, is convinced that Alpbach provides the perfect environment for individuals who give themselves permission to act, to think big and hence to promote this needed social change.

AP What will the track »The Climate Opportunity« contribute to the general theme »The New Europe«?

MR In light of the current geopolitical realities on the ground, the interdependencies between the climate crisis and geopolitics have become apparent. The connection has always existed, yet we have had the tendency to push climate change and its all-encompassing effects to the back of our minds. In order to challenge this perspective, »The Climate Opportunity« track will let us have a close look at the levels at which climate crisis issues are connected to other global questions and crises. We will seek to understand how we can get better at addressing and solving crises that show their consequences in the long run and whose implications for the future may be too complex to comprehend at their onset.

In the energy debate, we wish to make it a point in Alpbach that we

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AP Alpbach Panorama MR Marie Ringler, Vice President of the European Forum Alpbach

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

short bio Marie Ringler is the european head of the world’s largest network of social entrepreneurs, Ashoka. She is a politics and innovation expert and contributes her broad knowledge particularly to the track The Climate Opportunity.

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cannot allow ourselves to let our insatiable demand for energy torpedo our global and European climate action goals. We must see this situation of insecure energy supply as an opportunity to focus our actions on enabling a sustainable, just and inclusive (energy) transition that really deserves this name.

Europe has the opportunity to become a real leader when it comes to tackling not only the threats but also opportunities of the ongoing climate crisis. The European Green Deal serves well as a blueprint that guides policies and action in the coming years. If we are able to mobilise everyone behind its core principles and to take action, we could bring about a European response that inspires and goes beyond political pragmatism.

If Europe were to show the way, others will follow.

AP Which topics will the track focus on?

MR We chose the framing of the Climate Opportunity Track to not only add to the discussion by reframing our current situation but to specifically surface untapped potential and ideas, low hanging fruits and missed opportunities.

So many questions related to the provision of our energy sources have been with us since the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine. The topics of sustainable energy generation and energy security will thus play a key role within the programme.

How to mobilise people and resources for purposeful climate action has been the sparking question with which we launched »The Climate Opportunity« track last year. We want to build on this, as I firmly believe that all of us have a role in solving the climate crisis. Equally, I daresay that the urgency for action has become mainstream thinking by now, and we wish to leverage this emerging mindset by sparking action towards renewal, systemic change, and transformative solutions.

AP Why is it important that all generations engage in discussions on these topics?

MR There is a huge momentum among the young generation demanding truly sustainable action and responsible decision-making. We should be grateful for how much they press for urgency in their demands and how uncomfortable their requests may feel for some parts of the political and corporate elite. The young generation is more thoroughly informed than ever, and it knows that its demands are based on scientific findings. Instead of leaving young people out in the cold, let’s have them guide us in shaping where the journey of our future needs to go.

At the same time, we also need to radically rethink how we think of representation and what we conceive as democratic processes. It is a lost potential for change if voters above 70 years of age have four times more voting power than voters below 20, as is currently the case in Austria, for example. We need to go beyond mere discussions with the youth – if we really want to induce systemic transformation, it is crucial that young people’s voices have a weight in decision-making processes.

AP What do you personally expect from the sessions within the track?

MR Social change has always come from individuals, like you and me, who gave themselves permission to act, to think big. When every one of us takes action in our different roles in society, we can truly unleash the creativity needed to overcome the greatest challenge humanity has every faced.

In Alpbach, we want to show that by working together, focusing on the opportunities and taking action rather than continuing to delay or work with temporary fixes, with creativity and ingenuity we can use this climate crisis to achieve solutions that mitigate climate change, but, notably, also to »multi-solve« the many other inequalities and challenges we are facing.

We hope that after 2 September, everyone who has been to Alpbach will see perspectives rather than obstacles, holistic interconnections and solutions rather than dispersed questions.

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Der Haltung gewidmet.

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

Expert opinion

49

Energy Transformation is a Herculean Challenge with Multiple Benefits for All Nebojša Nakićenović

Humanity is facing formidable challenges, from other challenges facing humanity and especially war and food insecurity to the pandemic and for those without access to affordable and clean ever-increasing pressure on the Earth systems energy services. But the transformation is not a including climate change. Important commit- merely technical and economic issue. It is about ments have been made since the adoption of the people, about societies and about values and beUnited Nations 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustain- haviours. This means that new inclusive governable Development Goals and the Paris Climate ance approaches would need to be integrated in Agreement in 2015, but not nearly enough given energy policies to make the transition successful the Herculean task ahead. To achieve the Paris and just.

Agreement, greenhouse gas emissions need to follow the »carbon law«, namely be halved every Support for households at risk de-cade and approach net zero by mid-century Of highest importance in the wake of es— and yet the global emissions have increased at calating energy prices is to initiate an immediate an unprecedented rate last year. Ambitious com- support for households at risk of energy poverty. mitments have been made by many nations dur- Some 30 million Europeans have been facing this ing the Glasgow Climate Conference last year. risk even before the enormous increase of enerImportantly, Europe is poised to become the first gy prices so that now the number must be subfully decarbonised continent by 2050 (Fit for 55 stantially larger. In addition, upfront investments legislature) while Austria has committed to to increase the share of low-carbon, less imachieve this ambitious climate target a decade port-dependent and more affordable and reliable earlier and complete electricity decarbonisation energy should be supported because this would in merely eight years. reduce energy costs and import dependence in the long term. In Europe, revenues from carbon The key are renewables trading permits and carbon tax could be used to Energy is central to the challenge of achieve these two important financing goals in a achieving climate neutrality of the world. The revenue-neutral way. priority is to invest in decarbonisation and efficiency. The key are renewables because they are Policies, measures and instruments often the cheapest source of energy and would The transformation should be catalysed by catalyse the pervasive transformation toward support of a coordinated combination of policies, efficiency and zero-carbon electricity. Major chal- measures and instruments, including carbon priclenges are mobility, transport, heating, and cool- ing as a driving force, to shape an effective, coning. Electric and hydrogen vehicles and heat sistent and just regulatory system. It is essential, pumps would lead to decarbonisation and sub- however, that the revenues from auctions of tradstantially higher efficiencies. This should be com- able permits or from carbon tax are used to supplemented by investments in other essential port those at the risk of energy poverty as well as components of the energy system such as hydro- to support energy innovation and investments gen and other zero-carbon energy carriers. Of toward efficiency and decarbonisation. special importance is the carbon capture and In its 2021 Scientific Opinion on the enerremoval from sustainable biomass and na- gy transition in Europe, the Group of Chief Scienture-based solutions such as reafforestation and tific Advisors to the European Commission puts sustainable agricultural practices that would all people at the centre. It recognises the essential result in net negative emissions that would be roles of all actors and stakeholders in creating an needed especially in case the world does not inclusive and participatory environment so that achieve climate neutrality by mid-century. decarbonisation and efficiency are the preferred This fundamental transformation would and most natural choice of all to achieve a susbring multiple co-benefits for health, climate and tainable, safe and just future.

short bio The author is Emeritus Scholar and the former Deputy Director General of IIASA, former tenured Professor of Energy Economics at Vienna University of Technology and is a Member of the Group of Seven Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission.

creative heartwork Great ideas are fun.

That’s why we’re extra motivated to create and realize them for you. We are a digital creative agency based in Vienna with a drive towards forward.

Always standing for the good cause and the better experience. From branding to UI/UX, from content to commerce, from text to design, from the heart.

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

Expert opinion

51

A New Energy Order Rana Adib

2021 was supposed a new, greener beginning. ed States, and more than 1,500 cities had reWhile the year offered bright spots of hope, the newable energy targets and/or policies in 2021, historical chance for a green recovery has been up from 1,300 in 2020. short bio lost. The spike in energy prices in the second Moving away from fossil fuel also results Rana Adib is the Exe­ cutive Director of REN21. half of the year, followed by the Russian Feder- in reducing import dependence and in strengthPrior to REN21, she worked ation’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, con- ening energy security and sovereignty. Some in private industry and ap- tributed to an unprecedented global energy countries heavily rely on energy imports to covplied research in the areas of renewable energy, energy crisis to which governments responded with er demand. The EU imports 97 % of its oil and access and waste manage- short-term measures to keep energy under con- petroleum needs and 84 % of its natural gas ment, gathering over 20 years trol. This situation has exposed the world to needs. Developing renewable generation reducof experience in the energy evermore pressing climate disasters and the es and could even replace fossil fuel imports sector. rising threat of energy poverty for billions of and limit the vulnerability to geopolitical threats people. and the fluctuating and rising fossil fuel prices.

It doesn’t have to be this way. The deployment of renewable energy associated with enRenewables’ further potential ergy saving and energy efficiency measures can Renewables also carry the potential to address our energy vulnerability and drive a transforming value chains and stimulating local global and local socio-economic development economic development. They create jobs that is resilient, inclusive, fair and equitable. throughout the energy value chain, from manRenewable energy systems build on local ufacturing to installation to maintenance. More renewable resources — wind, solar, water/hydro, than 12 million people work in renewable enerbiomass, geothermal — and, with the appropri- gy jobs, and (re)skilling engineers, installers and ate technologies, allow for decentralised gen- workers as drivers of the energy transition oferation. This is the building block of a local and fers massive economic and human development decentralised, interconnected and more resil- opportunities. ient energy system.

The urgency of collective action A growing diversity of energy producers The current energy crisis must be a turnWith the right regulatory framework, the ing point to replace fossil fuels with renewables, decentralised nature of renewable energy also and we must seize this historic moment to ushenables a diversity of players – including city er in a systemic transformation of the global governments, companies and citizens – to be- economy and society as we know it. Renewable come energy producers. In 2021, across the energy needs to become the backbone not only world, corporate power purchase agreements of our energy system, but our economy and soincreased by 24 % to more than 31 GW (com- ciety. This requires courage and collaboration pared to an 18 % increase to 24.7 GW in 2020). among governments, industry and citizens. ColCommunity energy projects also have emerged lectively, we can and must transform ambition from Japan and Germany to Nigeria and the Unit- into action and results — now!

With Russia’s war in Ukraine, we are finding ourselves at a historical turning point. EFA vice president and political phi­ losopher Katja Gentinetta is convinced that at this stage, building »The New Europe« means to rethink strategies for coping with the spread of authoritarianism and citizens’ loss of trust in democracies as well as to develop creative ideas for building resilient democracies. Within this context, Stefanie Wöhl, professor of political science, emphasises the urgency to consider the organisation of care on a wellinterconnected European continent.

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KG We are presently finding ourselves at a historical turning point. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a war that concerns all of Europe — not only because it represents one of the most pressing security threats in recent European history, but also because this aggression is targeting the core values of European democracies and Europe’s self-understanding.

Moreover, the trending global crisis of democracies is also a big concern in Europe: building the New Europe means to rethink strategies for coping with the spread of authoritarianism and citizens’ loss of trust in democracies as well as to develop creative ideas for building resilient democracies.

We need new concepts and solutions, and we urgent-

with

Interview

AP What will the track » The Future of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Europe« contribute to the general theme »The New Europe«?

AP Alpbach Panorama KG Katja Gentinetta, Vice President of the European Forum Alpbach

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

Interview

55

ly need to listen and learn from each other because this change needs to be founded upon a broad social consensus that should be supported across all sectors and generations of society. The track »The Future of Democracy and the Rule of Law in Europe« offers engaging spaces for debating these issues and for moving this important project forward.

AP On which topics will the track focus?

KG The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has been a catalyst for intensified cooperation in key areas amongst European states. But the question is: Is this enough? We are finding ourselves at a critical juncture, which bears potential for setting a new normative compass for Europe’s future. The »I look forward to an inspiring track will focus on this opportunity. ­learning experience and new con­ Another focus will be on how to tackle democratic nections, which is a fundamental backslides. The curbing of element of Alpbach’s magic.« civic spaces which are fundamental to democratic participation, disinformation and the struggle to maintain rule of law are some of the main challenges we need to address for securing Europe’s democratic future. We need to regain citizens’ trust and to forge a more active engagement in our future political systems.

Ultimately, this also requires us to rethink more generally our very concept of democracy and of political leadership.

AP Why is it important that all generations engage in discussions on these topics?

KG EFA has a unique history of involving youth since its founding moment, and we believe youth is an important voice in shaping our future. The involvement of all generations and cross-sectoral dialogue are necessary to learn from each other’s perspectives and to become aware of the complexities of societal issues to which we respond differently depending on our situatedness. Especially for the younger generation it is important to learn the lesson of trade-offs and strategic compromises, as reality is only the second best world we can live in.

EFA aims to move issues forward and demands that we take the value of decision-making seriously. And for making good choices, we need inclusive spaces that help becoming aware of each other’s dreams and hopes as well short bio as to navigate different interests and create collective reKatja Gentinetta is a political philosopher, busisponses. ness columnist and university AP What do you personally expect from the European lecturer. In her works she draws on her broad backForum Alpbach 2022 sessions within the track? of experience and inKG I look forward to an inspiring learning experience and ground depth knowledge of the logic new connections, which is a fundamental element of Alp- of policits, the needs and perceptions in society and bach’s magic. And I sincerely hope that we will find a com- the demands of the corporate mon and concrete starting point to move Europe forward. world.

Who Cares for the EU? A Feminist Edge ­ on Less Visible Challenges Ahead Stefanie Wöhl

If the European community was »born out of cri- bility and Growth Pact, which resulted in most sis«, 2022 surely marks a year of multiple crises: member states in austerity policies after the fithe ongoing war in Ukraine, the pandemic, the nancial and economic crisis, were at least temrefugee crisis, the climate crisis and the care cri- porarily dismissed. This departure from austerity sis are major challenges that need to be tackled measures was an urgently needed shift as debt by the European Union and its member states. containment essentially considers national comThe Russian attack on Ukraine has certainly ad- petitiveness, and this strategy proved unsuitable vanced a more unitary picture of the EU. Howev- to react to the complexity of multiple crises and er, there are still member states that refuse to the pandemic. fully adhere to EU law, and there are ongoing disputes that need to be overcome. One central disRethinking the EU’s care system pute concerns the EU’s future engagement with The pandemic has not only provoked a masocial policy and the organisation of care, which jor economic shock, but it also painfully revealed deeply affects the tissue of European societies. systemic lacunae in the domain of care. Care reThe multiple crises, which we are experi- sponsibilities were overburdening private individencing not only in the EU but globally, made Eu- uals and their families. The hospital sector was ropean leaders reconsider some of their former also badly hit. The lack of material and hospital strategies. Particularly the premise of debt con- beds in the beginning and chronically exhausted tainment within the Single Market and the Sta- and overworked staff are tangible revelations of

European Forum Alpbach Panorama

Expert opinion

57

the premise of debt containment which the EU lenges in times of crisis, as much as they are pursued over decades. An EU-wide Resilience Fa- needed and intertwined. Therefore, we urgently cility was set up to rebuild economies of member need a EU-wide approach to reorganise the care states and to mitigate the effects of the pandem- sector and safeguard the provision of care work ic with European funding or loans. The Facility under fair employment conditions, just as much committed itself to provide funding for viable so- as we need to rethink global supply chains and cieties and for laying the groundwork for forth- the energy sector. coming generations. It is structured around a range of pillars, encompassing green transition Action must be taken now and digital transformation, as well as economic Even though the pandemic has made the and social cohesion. Whilst the Resilience Facility importance of care and the pressing issues in demonstrates growing awareness of the long- this societal domain highly visible, it has so far term challenges ahead of us, significant aspects not been a priority on the EU agenda. The Conferof socially unjust and heavily gender-biased care ence on the Future of Europe has already higheconomies remain hardly acknowledged. More lighted, which policies would need to be adcoordinated political and financial efforts must be dressed more coherently, such as social cohesion devised to address the enormous invisible and and digitalisation. For social policies which are unpaid amount of care work provided in private not harmonised so far, minimum standards households, which has peaked during the pandem- should encourage member states to ameliorate ic. With an ageing demography and the ongoing their social systems without downgrading what strains from the pandemic, the EU urgently needs already works; more binding directives are necto rethink how its care system can transition into essary here. Also, the institutional alignment and a viable and just future that does not succumb unanimity principle have shown that decisions to austerity measures, and how it can safeguard can be blocked within the Council. In view of futhat this system works beyond national borders ture EU enlargement and the ongoing deadlocks and in the interest of citizens. in crucial domains, this procedure needs readjustment. Another effective instrument would be A global perspective is needed a more equal involvement of the European ParIn our highly connected world, questions liament in the procedures of the European Seconcerning the standard of living as well as how mester. Since the last financial and economic to organise democracy and political representa- crisis post 2008, this coordinating mechanism tion do not stop at national doorsteps nor at the surveys national budget recovery strategies. A EU’s borders. Therefore, questions considering stronger parliamentary involvement would lead the future of the EU need to encompass a more to a more transparent process of how funding is global perspective and require inputs from all ac- spent and to which sectors it is allocated. Involvtors, socially and politically. How can these be- ing the social partners and other civil society orcome more integrated into one another? Neither ganisations in the evaluation is much needed to can energy supply be solved nationally nor can assure democratic accountability. Rethinking care and commodity chains be tackled in isola- which political influence certain actors have and tion of each other. The care chain is heavily reliant others do not, is also necessary to assure that not on EU mobility and labour force from outside the only money and political influence count. SusEU. »24 hours«-care workers from EU countries taining livelihoods should be a parameter applied bordering to Austria were flown in at the height to all political and economic decisions, because of the pandemic in 2020 to uphold elderly-caring living conditions might erode sooner than we capacities at the brink of collapse. This example think due to climate change. These dimensions is not a singular event but illustrates that global and challenges need to be reconsidered to the care and commodity chains pose severe chal- EU’s future viability as a political project.

short bio Stefanie Wöhl holds the EUStefanie Wöhl holds the EU Jean Monnet Chair on »Diversity and Social Cohesion in the European Union« and is professor of political science at the University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna, Austria.

»Even though the pandemic has made the importance of care and the pressing issues in this societal domain highly v­ isible, it has so far not been a priority on the EU agenda.«

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The European ideals of democracy, peace and prosperity are inseparable – and nonnegotiable. With Europe’s future under pressure more than ever, there is a need to reflect on and design innovative and sustainable solutions for the continent. The European Forum Alpbach is the platform where visionary minds meet to discuss and develop the ideas for a stronger and better Europe. As Main Partner, we are ready to shape the future of Europe and are proud to support this collaborative exchange.