Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.

Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.

Gesellschaften erleben seit einigen Jahren eine wachsende politische Polarisierung. Immer mehr (v.a. Junge) Menschen fühlen sich von der politischen Mitte entfremdet und orientieren sich an Positionen am rechten oder linken Rand. Vertrauensverlust in Politik, Medien und Institutionen, aber auch Identitätsfragen, Ängste und das Bedürfnis nach Zugehörigkeit prägen diese Entwicklungen. Ein interdisziplinärer Blick zeigt mögliche Ursachen – und Ansätze, wie gesellschaftliche Brüche überwunden werden könnten. Welche Mechanismen treiben Polarisierung wirklich voran? Und wie lassen sich neue Formen politischen Vertrauens aufbauen? (work in progress)

Political polarization, rising inequality, and eroding trust in institutions are challenging both the effectiveness and legitimacy of democratic capitalism. As governments, markets, and citizens struggle to adapt, the challenge is no longer just how to achieve growth, but how to restore purpose, trust, and moral coherence in public life. How can economies balance innovation with social and ethical resilience? And what role should leadership, character, and values play in navigating the turbulence of a disrupted age? (work in progress)

For decades, Europe’s digital landscape has relied on technologies, platforms, and infrastructure largely developed outside its borders. This openness has been a major driver of innovation, growth, and global connectivity — with European companies and citizens alike benefiting greatly from the excellence and dynamism of international technology providers. Yet as global competition intensifies and geopolitics increasingly intertwine with technology, questions of digital sovereignty have moved to the forefront. More than 90 European companies have called for the creation of a “sovereign infrastructure fund” to strengthen Europe’s digital foundations and ensure long-term resilience - not in opposition to global partners, but in complement to them. The continent now faces a strategic challenge: how can Europe reconcile openness with autonomy, regulation with competitiveness, and global partnership with strategic independence? (work in progress)

Europe’s competitive edge is shrinking as growth slows and innovation stalls, with Germany’s automotive and traditional industries emblematic of a continent too focused on preserving past successes. While global rivals invest heavily in new technologies, Europe risks falling behind by trying to revive outdated models rather than embracing the next wave of industrial transformation. This session explores the structural roots of Europe’s decline, the consequences of nostalgia-driven policy, and the choices needed to regain momentum in a rapidly shifting technological landscape. (work in progress)

As global power dynamics shift and traditional alliances fracture, the ripple effects reach far beyond geopolitics. One consequence of this “Disrupted Age” is the erosion of the global humanitarian aid system. With the United States reducing its role and other nations diverting resources toward security and economic stability, funding gaps are widening just as crises multiply. Can private capital step in where public aid retreats? This session explores emerging models of humanitarian financing, focusing on the IKEA Foundation’s collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Sudan as a case study. What does this example reveal about the potential—and limits—of private engagement in crisis response, and how can philanthropy and business help sustain human dignity amid global disruption? (work in progress)

Rising tariffs, expanding trade restrictions, and shifting alliances are reshaping the foundations of global commerce. From Washington to Beijing to Brussels, governments are redefining their positions in a new world order where economic interdependence collides with strategic rivalry. Is this the end of globalisation as we knew it—or the emergence of a more regionalised, multipolar trading system? This session brings together voices from China, the United States, and Europe to explore how geopolitical tensions are disrupting established patterns of trade, what this means for businesses and consumers, and how nations can navigate the uncertain path toward the next phase of globalisation. (work in progress)

Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.

Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.

Historian Michael Wolffsohn outlines his proposal for a lasting peace built on federal and confederal principles. Drawing on historical insight, he argues that stability in the Middle East may emerge not from separation, but from structured coexistence. His concept challenges conventional diplomacy by rethinking sovereignty, identity, and self-determination through the lens of federalism. (work in progress)

Europe’s critical infrastructure - its energy grids, transport networks, tele-communications systems, and digital backbones - has become a prime target in an era of geopolitical rivalry and accelerating technological disruption. As artificial intelligence reshapes both offensive capabilities and defensive strategies, the question is no longer if critical infrastructure will be tested, but whether Europe is prepared to withstand the threats ahead. This panel brings together leaders from government, aviation, tele-communications, and technology to explore one of Europe’s most urgent security challenges: How can AI strengthen the resilience of critical sectors and where does it create new vulnerabilities? Are current regulatory, operational, and security frameworks sufficient? And what does true preparedness look like for a continent facing increasingly complex hybrid threats? In the end its is about how Europe can build a more robust, interoperable, and technologically advanced defense posture - one capable of protecting the systems that keep societies and economies running. (work in progress)

The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by interlinked technological, political, economic, and societal dimensions. The concentration of critical minerals in a small number of states, combined with geopolitical tensions, poses significant risks to global energy security. Meanwhile, accelerating electricity demand, driven by AI and digital infrastructures, requires modernized power grids and flexible storage to ensure resilience. Societal expectations, especially around climate justice and climate mitigation, shape the legitimacy of energy transitions. How can political strategy, technological innovation, and social responsibility be aligned to build sustainable and resilient energy systems for the decades ahead? (work in progress)

Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.

The Hot-Seat Session is a dynamic and tightly focused debate format designed to challenge ideas through constantly shifting perspectives. One participant remains in the Hot Seat throughout, providing continuity, while a sequence of different voices rotate in to confront, question, and expand the discussion. At the centre of the stage, two chairs anchor the exchange, one constant, one in motion, creating momentum and contrast. The audience shapes the pace of the conversation through live voting, determining when it is time for a new voice to enter. The result is a sharp, energetic debate driven by contrast, focus, and collective momentum.

Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.

Around the world, capital is shifting toward the technologies and industries that will define the next decade—from AI and advanced manufacturing to climate tech, biotech, and the new frontiers of mobility. While some regions double down on legacy sectors, global venture and growth investors are rapidly reallocating resources toward places where innovation is accelerating and commercialisation cycles are shortening. This session maps the emerging hotspots of investment, examines how geopolitical realignments are reshaping capital flows, and explores the signals that reveal where tomorrow’s breakthrough industries are likely to emerge. (work in progress)

Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.

For decades, the Israeli–Palestinian conflict has shaped the political landscape of the Middle East - and the broader international order. Cycles of violence, deep mistrust, and competing narratives have made meaningful progress seem out of reach. Yet existing peace agreements in the region, such as those between Israel and the UAE, Jordan or Egypt, show that stable coexistence is possible. As pressures mount on societies, leaders, and international institutions to break the logic of escalation, this session asks: What steps could move the whole middle-eastern region from confrontation toward coexistence? How can trust be rebuilt when perspectives appear irreconcilable in some parts of the region? And how can international actors support a credible, durable pathway to peace & stability in the whole region? Moving beyond entrenched positions, the panel aims to explore the political, societal, and human foundations needed to imagine — and work toward — a more hopeful future for the region. (work in progress)

Advances in neuroscience, diagnostics, and health-tech are redefining what it means to live well—and potentially much longer. From precision biomarkers and AI-powered early detection to regenerative medicine and even cryo-preservation, new tools promise to shift healthcare from treatment to true prevention. Yet these breakthroughs also raise profound ethical questions: How far should we go in extending life? Who benefits from these technologies? And how do we keep the human, not the hardware, at the center of care? This session brings together leading experts to explore the next frontier of longevity and personalized health. We will examine the opportunities emerging from cutting-edge technologies, the responsibilities that come with them, and the choices societies must make as the boundaries of medicine and human lifespan continue to expand (work in progress).

Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.

Session details will be announced in the near future as the programme takes shape.