Join us for the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium on "A New Generational Contract" and engage in constructive and impactful dialogue across different generations from around the world.

The need to simultaneously face immediate crises and pursue long-term transformations is a defining feature of our time. So far, we have rarely been able to bring both perspectives together. For too long, a focus on immediate challenges has trumped our concern for longer-term developments, such as the looming climate crisis and deep technological shifts. This reinforces a vicious cycle. How can we get better at anticipating, governing, and thinking for the long-term, while in the midst of a “polycrisis”?

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

Every sector today is being disrupted by a combination of forces including rapid digitalisation, macro-economic instabilities and workplace disruptions. To manage and lead amidst this perfect storm, it will take a combination of efforts from incumbents, startups, innovation, institutional capital, public opinion, and individual behaviour. Incumbents can bring their resources and customer base, while startups offer disruptive ideas and agility. Focusing on the energy sector, this session will explore particularly ways to leverage the interplay of incumbent industry leaders and disruptive start-ups for industry transformation.

In light of supply chain disruptions, inflation and a meagre consumption climate, business are grappling to ensure their short-term survival. At the same time, companies face the challenge of "weatherproofing" their organisations against future risks, decarbonise their production and reap the benefits of emerging technologies such as AI. Investments in such long-term issues incur costs today, whereas benefits are realised only years later. This session will explore the trade-offs and synergies organisations face when managing and strategising on short- and long-term timescales. What are actionable ways to advance necessary long-term transformations, while coping with immediate challenges?

In collaboration with ZEIT ONLINE, this session will utilise the award-winning concept of 'Deutschland Spricht / Europe Talks' and ask all participants five controversial, intergenerational questions. An algorithm will then match participants with different points of view to talk about differences and commonalities. At a time of increasing polarisation, participants will engage in an open and engaging conversation with someone who thinks differently – in the magnificent environment of the HSG's SQUARE building. Join us and support a culture of open and civil discussion!

In light of global population growth, resource scarcity and climate change, a shift towards a more sustainable way of consuming is inevitable. Thinking more carefully about our consumption habits, moving to a circular economy where products are reused and recycled or simply forego a purchase are some key approaches. What are emerging lessons learned and best practices across businesses on their path towards more sustainable consumption futures?

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

Under Nicolai Tangen's leadership, the Norwegian "oil fund" manages over 1.2 trillion Swiss Francs and owns an average of 1.4% of every publicly traded company. Its purpose is to build and safeguard financial wealth for the Scandinavian country's current and future generations. In a cross-generational conversation, he will be sharing his perspective on the role and responsibilities of the world's largest sovereign wealth fund.

This session will explore the challenges and opportunities highlighted by the global energy crisis, with a particular focus on striking the right balance between addressing our immediate energy needs and building a more sustainable energy system for the future. We will examine how the crisis affects not only Europe's energy landscape but also that of the Middle East and developing countries, and how to balance the needs of developed and developing countries as they navigate the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

The internet has become an integral part of our lives and has brought about numerous benefits. However, with the increasing use of data in the internet ecosystem and business models, the need for privacy has become increasingly important. Simultaneously, it is essential to maintain a competitive landscape to encourage innovation and growth. Join us for an in-depth discussion that explores the challenges of balancing privacy and competition in the internet and technology industry, with a focus on finding a mutual compromise between these two elements while considering the priorities of the next generation.

We spend a significant part of our lives at work - on average around 80.000 hours. This figure underlines the importance of building a truly inclusive work environment - where co-workers can be their true selfs, are acknowledged in their diversity, and enjoy psychological safety. Not only is this the right thing to do ethically, but also a key driver of business success, in terms of innovation, talent retainment and more inclusive product designs. This session will explore key elements to cultivate diversity and inclusion within organisations.

Die Wissenschaft hat inzwischen einen sehr klaren und umfassenden Einblick in die Ursachen und Auswirkungen des Klimawandels gewonnen. Es gibt auch vermehrt politische und gesellschaftliche Ziele und Strategien, um den Klimawandel zu bekämpfen. Allerdings gestaltet sich die Umsetzung dieser Maßnahmen schwierig. Wie kommen wir von Wissen zu Handeln? Hierzu müssen abstrakte Konzepte und Zeitskalen gesellschaftlich, individuell verständlich und konkret gemacht werden. Benötigen wir daher neue Narrative zur Bewältigung der Klimakrise? Was sind Ansätze, um gesellschaftlichen und individuellen Wandel voranzutreiben? (PLEASE NOTE: THIS SESSION WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE IN GERMAN)

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people struggling with mental health issues has skyrocketed, especially among young people. This underlines the importance of understanding health in a holistic way - with body and mind closely intertwined. This masterclass, involing two outstanding global athletes, offers insights in maintaining and improving mindful and healthy routines that can help us navigate challenging times.

As the production of fashion continues to have a detrimental impact on our planet and consumers are getting increasingly conscious, the need for sustainable fashion has become imperative. Not only for the health of the planet but also for the longevity of the company. However, transitioning towards sustainability is not without its challenges like finding eco-friendly materials or implementing sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. But what are the obstacles when implementing such practices, and how can one overcome them?

The future of work will be characterised by new, emerging forms of interfaces and co-creation between humans and technology. As the digitalisation of systems, productivity tools, robotics and Artificial Intelligence is fast advancing, employees and employers are challenged to develop new and constantly evolving skills. As ChatGPT has demonstrated, this not only concerns "blue-collar work" in increasingly automated factories, but equally "white-collar work" of content and knowledge production. What are the potentials and ethical dilemmas stemming from the rapid adoption of emerging technologies at work, and how should we address them?

The St. Gallen Symposium annually welcomes exceptional young minds from around the globe, each with a unique background and story to share. Through an innovative format, attendees have the opportunity to meet St. Gallen Symposium's Leaders of Tomorrow, engage in discussions on pressing topics, and form meaningful connections in one-on-one settings. Ultimately, this format offers an opportunity to actually live intergenerational dialogue.

As the world faces multiple simultaneous challenges, such as climate change, economic instability, and social unrest, a lot of hope has been put into capital allocators to set the right incentives to move towards a better tomorrow through sustainable financing. As the curtain lifts, however, more and more issues emerge which keep us from advancing more speedily. Are we using the right approaches to measure what is considered a green investment? Do we have the correct skills to account for all future "generational" risks? In pursuing more long-term investments with a higher generational and lower short-term yield, who will, in the end, take the cut and pay for the smaller returns?

The Elite Quality Index (EQx), developed at the University of St.Gallen, is political economy index that measures the ability of the elite business models in a country to create value, rather than to extract value. The St. Gallen Symposium and EQx have teamed up to develop a NextGen Value Creation Barometer, which measures the extent to which countries’ economic and business models create value for the next generation across key areas such as health, innovation & technology, and equitable opportunities. The panel will discuss the main results and identify key learnings for intergenerational fairness.

Feminist foreign policy recognises that traditional foreign policy has often been dominated by men and has perpetuated gender inequalities around the world. It also holds the promise of being more sensitive to the gendered impacts of violent conflicts, the role of gender in conflict resolution processes, and how diplomacy should engage with such dynamics. Thus, in recent years, several countries and organisations have adopted feminist foreign policy frameworks. But what does it take to move from principles to practice in an impactful way and which challenges need to be addressed?

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

The awareness for climate change urges states and markets to act. Governments are passing new legislation to incentivise the shift towards carbon-neutral technologies. Industries, especially automotives, are redefining their products and value proposition. While electric mobility is on the rise, carbon-heavy industries like trucking and aviation may need to look beyond batteries to become carbon-neutral. This session will offer a deep dive into the world of renewable fuels, hydrogen and its future potential - and discuss the implications of current regulatory developments, particularly on the European level.

Singapore: A young nation. A small island city state. A regional hub and economic power-house. A diverse, multi-racial, and multi-cultural city. An ageing population. A green city. What are the social economic challenges and opportunities? How does the country manage its generational contract? And what can Singapore learn from other countries’ experiences?

During our 2023 Global Essay Competition Award Ceremony, education innovator Sal Khan will share his vision for a New Generational Contract, and the three most outstanding essays on this year's question will be presented to our global, cross-generational audience. After interactive presentations, the Award Jury will announce and celebrate the third, second, and first winner.

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

Renowned singer and songwriter Priya Ragu, whose captivating performances have graced stages across the globe, is set to return to her roots in East Switzerland for the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium. During our Thursday evening program, Priya will grace you with an intimate unplugged concert and will engage in a relaxed and informal conversation with ISC-Teamie Thomas Hoffmann about the inspiration behind her melodies and lyrics as well as the influence that her hometown has had on her artistry.

The St. Gallen Symposium and The Club of Rome have launched a joint initiative: A New Generational Contract. Convening a diverse platform, we foster systems thinking and transformation through mutual dialogue and learning between generations. This session will dive into the key principles, priorities and actionable projects for the coming years and ways our community can engage in bringing generations together and better combine a short-term with a long-term view.

As we navigate a world of multiple, overlapping crises in areas such as security, energy, climate, and migration, it is crucial that we develop the skill of strategic foresight to break out of short-term, crisis-management cycles. In this session, we will explore how policy-makers and business leaders can improve their foresight capabilities and adopt an informed, forward-thinking approach to better prepare and balance the multiple heterogeneous aspects of today's complex and interconnected problems. What are ways to balance short-term reactions with long-term transformation to prevent consequential crises and create a more sustainable and resilient future for all?

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

This conversation with the Chairman of the Swiss National Bank will delve into the complex relationship between monetary policy, inflation, and the creation of value for future generations. We will examine how central banks can balance short-term economic needs with the long-term implications of their decisions, including the impact on growth, financial stability, and risk behaviour on markets.

Exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, global food insecurity remains a critical issue, with Africa being the most affected continent. Smallholder farmers, constituting the majority of African farmers, are particularly vulnerable. What are effective ways to support sustainable and resilient agricultural practices, and invest and develop drought and pest-resistant crops? And what are potentials - and risks - of multi-stakeholder partnerships to craft comprehensive solutions?

In order for education to remain relevant in cultivating the next generation of self-determined citizens, it needs to adapt to the changing needs of students and society as a whole. This requires a willingness to embrace new approaches and technologies, as well as a commitment to ongoing learning and professional development. As new technologies emerge and societal and economic structures shift, how must education - its institutions and practices - transform? What are new ways to engage students and prepare them for the challenges of the future?

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

WORKSHOP SESSION - Globally, socio-political, economic, and ecological systems are increasingly on the verge of collapse. For the majority of the world, these are not impending crises but rather existing for decades, with bleak prospects for the future. There is a significant opportunity to model transformational leadership in these regions to thrive because approx. 80% of people under 30 live in the Global Majority. Contributing to the "New Generational Contract" initiative, this workshop will develop visions on how to initiate a process of solidarity and empowerment as well as accelerate leadership capabilities - building pathways to the regeneration of the Global Majority.

WORKSHOP SESSION - For businesses to thrive, they need to ensure their short-term survival, while actively advancing long-term issues such as risk mitigation, digitisation and decarbonisation. However, the benefits of such long-term priorities are often not realised for years or even decades, whereas their costs are incurred today. Traditionally, businesses consider only a limited range of timescales (e.g. annual planning) our existing toolkit is not up to the challenge of managing and strategising for the short- and long-term simultaneously. This workshop will explore trade-offs, synergies and actionable models of how organisations can strategise and manage on multiple timescales.

WORKSHOP SESSION - Learning happens on many levels, whether through schools or organic life-long processes. Humanity has historically learned through two processes: maintenance learning meant for the mass acquisition of fixed outlooks, and innovative learning shaping humanity’s transition out of crises. In our current times, our challenges are ever-present, giving little time to learn how to deal with their far-reaching consequences. In this workshop, participants will develop visions for the education dimension of the New Generational Contract initiative. What are the opportunities for new types of learning processes that can create change in a world of unprecedented crises?

WORKSHOP SESSION - Through "Our Common Agenda" and the Summit of the Future to be held in September 2024, the UN Secretary-General has acknowledged the need to live up to our responsibility to future generations. This requires a rethinking of current notions of sustainability, at the UN level and beyond. As part of our global initiative for a New Generational Contract, this session - in collaboration with the UN SDG Lab - will explore core values which need to be at the centre of a new sustainability paradigm. It will inform the SDG Lab's ongoing work in intergovernmental processes, including at the SDG Summit in September 2023, and the Summit of the Future in September 2024.

Since the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people have been remarkable. Ukraine and its allies have made it clear that this is not simply a war between two states but between two systems, authoritarianism and democracy. Oleksandra Matviichuk is head of the Kyiv-based non-profit organisation Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. For the Max Schmidheiny Session 2023, she will talk about the Center’s ongoing work in documenting atrocities and war crimes and how Ukraine, ultimately, is not only defending its own freedom, but the freedom of liberal democracies around the world. 

Throughout history, the relationship between the state and markets has been ever changing. After decades of deregulation and liberalization, economic and environmental crises and economic shocks have again elevated states in their role. Recent developments in the US, Europe, but also India and China have seen the state act increasingly boldly as regulator, investor and protector. This apparent "paradigm shift" and return of the state raises fundamental questions about the organizing principles of our economies in an age of formidable challenges and the right balance and interplay between state- and market-driven dynamics.

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

There's a barely a topic that's more polarising and politically charged like migration, particularly in Europe and the United States. While the spectrum goes from fears about the "end of the occident" to calls for an "end to borders", business associations have for long been emphasizing that safe and responsible migration is an economic necessity, particularly to attract skilled talents in light of demographic change and labour shortages. Focusing on economic and political developments in Europe, this session will explore current debates and options to allow for safe and responsible migration which benefits individuals, host and destination countries alike.

In 1968, many students across Europe took their dissatisfaction with the status quo to the streets. One year later, five students founded the International Students' Committee (ISC) which has been organising the St. Gallen Symposium ever since to create a platform for cross-generational dialogue. More than 50 years later young generations are once again very vocal about their dissatisfaction with the status quo and are at the forefront of emerging social movements. Bringing together leading, global activists, this session will explore the choices and challenges facing social movements today.

As the bedrock of many economies, particularly in the DACH area, long-standing family businesses demonstrate that responsible leadership enables future generations to thrive. At a moment when big changes are needed across the economy, their values and strategies may offer wider lessons for a New Generational Contract in business. How can we foster effective collaboration and equitable opportunities across generations? And what might we learn from family businesses for the larger shift on stakeholder capitalism?

Inflation is a complex issue that affects everyone, but Generation Z is particularly vulnerable. Prices are rising faster than wages, and the lower savings rate makes it difficult to maintain purchasing power. Central banks raise interest rates to combat inflation, making it more expensive for younger generations to take out loans. Additionally, high interest rates can lead to a recession and spike in unemployment, disproportionately affecting Gen Z. This session will explore the short and long-term impact of inflation on Gen Z. We will discuss the potential consequences of inflation, such as a recession, higher unemployment rates, and social and political instability.

Tackling climate change will require the redirection of capital flows on a massive scale: away from the fossil economy towards those sectors and energy sources which are part of the solution, and from the Global North to the Global South. This session will explore latest thinking and visions for how this can happen: through policy-driven carbon tax models and green bonds, as well as public-private initiatives of redirecting capital flows for mitigation and adaptation in low-income countries.

The development and societal adoption of emerging technologies such as AI is accelerating globally. Educational institutions have to adapt in order to prepare students for a technology-driven future of work, but also need to reflect on the opportunities and challenges of using new technologies in teaching and learning. How can innovations such as ChatGPT and remote learning inspire new ways of teaching and enhance inclusive access to education? What are the risks associated with them and what needs to happen to use technology for good in education?

The shift towards a sustainable, regenerative and digital economy is fundamentally reshaping the future of business. In challenging and complex times, involving diverse perspectives in organisational decision-making is key to ensure sustainable success. To foster innovation, sustainability and long-term thinking in business, the St. Gallen Symposium and Zukunft-Fabrik.2050 have launched a joint impact project: "Young Leaders on Board" aims to equip forward-looking companies for the future, by bringing young, outstanding leaders on their board. This session will explore potentials and challenges of age diversity on boards, and outline ways the symposium community can engage in this project.

Meaningful innovation in recent years and coming decades heavily rely on utilising data. Ensuring the availability and good quality of data will be essential for the success and implementation of these innovations in the future. This session will explore the relationship between data and technological innovation and, specifically, which impacts regulation, e.g. data privacy and AI regulation, has on the development and implementation of new technologies such as AI and quantum computing.

Have you ever wondered what the Metaverse is all about? Discover the answer by visiting the St. Gallen Symposium x Metaverse Discovery Grid at the SQUARE! With 12 stations to guide you, we'll showcase how the endless possibilities of the Metaverse can enrich your life in areas like gaming, socializing, education, sports, health, entertainment, shopping, travel, and work. In collaboration with the Institute for Retail Management, you will explore the latest VR technologies and the best application examples to demonstrate how the Metaverse is rapidly changing the way we live. So, don't just talk about it - immerse yourself in the Metaverse and witness the future unfold before your eyes!

Oleksandra Matviichuk is head of the Kyiv-based non-profit organisation Center for Civil Liberties, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2022. In this intimate discussion, she will speak about the Center's ongoing work and ways in which the country's civil society in particularly is currently leading the fight to defend democracy and human rights in Ukraine and elsewhere.

Closing Ceremony of the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium.