The recent St. Gallen Symposium showcased an array of impactful sessions, all organised within the framework of the initiative “A New Generational Contract.” Here’s a recap of the insightful discussions and thought leadership presented during these sessions co-hosted with our partners.

Future Leadership Decoded: How Do Businesses Need to Change in an Era of Scarcity?

This session was co-hosted with the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions in the context of the release of the Voices of the Leaders of Tomorrow Report 2024. NIM researcher Fabian Buder, SGS Leader of Tomorrow Anushka Purohit, and Claudia Suessmuth Dyckerhoff, Member of the Board of Roche, led a compelling discussion on the imperative for businesses to innovate amidst dwindling environmental resources followed by a workshop with five group breakouts. The session emphasised the importance of fostering generational insights and understanding diverse viewpoints to collaboratively create sustainable business practices. Participants explored actionable paths towards addressing the challenges posed by resource scarcity.

Inclusive Capitalism: The Role of Private and Family-Owned Businesses

This session, featuring IMD Professor Peter Vogel, Novata CEO Alexander Friedman, Familiy Business Network CEO Alexis du Roy de Blicquy, DIHK Training specialist Laura Jorde, and Jura CEO Emanuel Probst, highlighted the significant role private and family-owned businesses play in tackling climate change and social inequalities. The speakers shared strategies for these businesses to measure and report their ESG impacts effectively, aiming to include the vast majority of enterprises in the drive towards a sustainable future.

Intergenerational Leadership for Sustainable Development

Marine Hadengue, Executive Director of Higher Education for Good, Lindiwe Mazibuko, CEO of Futurelect and Nolita Mvunelo from the Club of Rome facilitated a workshop focusing on the need for intergenerational leadership to transition towards a regenerative economy. The session explored how youth engagement and diverse generational perspectives can transform organisations and policy institutions, highlighting pathways towards prosperity that benefit both people and the planet.

Envisioning the Future of Human Work Through Science Fiction

The workshop was co-hosted with the BCG Henderson Institute. Adam Job and Charikleia Kaffe led this innovative session that used science fiction as a tool to reimagine the future of work. Participants engaged in exercises imagining dystopian and utopian futures, developing creative strategies to tackle present challenges. The session demonstrated the power of science fiction for envisioning desirable futures and engaging in imaginative thinking.

Future-Forward Nations: The NextGen Value Creation Barometer 2024

Leader of Tomorrow Santiago Bulat and University of St. Gallen economists Prof. Guido Cozzi and Prof. Tomas Casas i Klett presented the NextGen Value Creation Barometer, a collaborative project between the St. Gallen Symposium, the Foundation for Value Creation, and the Board Foundation. The session explored the political economy of creating long-term value for young and future generations. Participants compared the Barometer’s top-ranked economies with those lagging behind, in terms of key dimensions such as sustainability, economic opportunities, and health.

Soul Sanctuary: Revolutionising Mental Health Care

In this session, co-hosted with Bertelsmann Stiftung, SGS Head of the Student Organizing Team Alisha Thüler, entrepreneur Mona Ghazi, athlete Louisa Grauvogel, krisenchat Co-CEO Melanie Eckert, and WHO Youth Council member Enow Awah Georges Stevens discussed innovative approaches to mental health care. The panelists explored the intersection of mental health with societal norms, technology, and policy frameworks. The discussion aimed at breaking stigmas and carving a path towards a future where mental health takes center stage in holistic well-being.

St. Gallen Talks! Change Your Mind in an Eye-Opening Dialogue

The “St. Gallen Talks!” session, held in collaboration with ZEIT ONLINE, provided a unique and engaging platform for participants to challenge their perspectives and engage in deep, meaningful discussions. This interactive format facilitated conversations through five bold questions designed to provoke thought and encourage rethinking of stances on various issues. The session used an advanced algorithm to pair participants with opposing views, fostering open and honest dialogue. It aimed to bridge generational and political divides, promoting respectful discourse. Key speakers included moderator Stephan Lendi, Ulrike Zimmermann of ZEIT ONLINE, and Martin Reeves of the BCG Henderson Institute, who provided insights on managing diverse perspectives and leveraging differences for innovation. Participants left with a renewed understanding of the importance of engaging with differing viewpoints and the value of civil discourse.

Watch the session here.