10 Break-Out Sessions

  • Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

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A Demographic Revolution: Young India Takes Charge (with All India Management Association)
Speaker
Ritesh Agarwal, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, OYO Rooms
Pranjal Sharma (Topic Leader), Economic Analyst, Advisor and Author, India

India is undergoing its economic, technological and demographic transition simultaneously. An old country is becoming youthful and adventurous with the passage of time. Young Indians like OYO founder Ritesh Agarwal are quietly taking charge of Indian ethos by becoming icons of audacious aspirations and tangible proofs of its potential, spawning startups that are becoming most valuable and famous than many legacy companies. How can young revolutionaries find ways to carry the older generation of investors, regulators, workers and consumers with them and what can other economies and founders learn from India’s momentous transition?

Collaborative Advantage Across Generations: Reflecting on the SGS Experience (ISC Alumni)
Speaker
Former Members of the International Students' Comittee
Christoph Loos (Topic Leader), Chief ­Executive ­Offi­cer, Hilti AG
Vivian Bernet (Topic Leader), Head of the Organising Committe, International Students' Comittee
Watch Here

For over 50 years teams of student have volunteered to organise the St. Gallen Symposium. They have written countless invitations, met thousands of partners, and welcomed some of the most important personalities of their time on stage. Together with former members of the ISC we will reflect on the St. Gallen Symposium experience of cross-generational dialogue and collaboration, the lessons they have learned for their lives and on how the symposium has evolved. This session is organised together with ISC Alumni.

Collective Genius? Cultivating Creativity in the Arts and Beyond
Speaker
Susan Goldsworthy, Affiliate Professor of Leadership, Communications and Organizational Change, IMD Business School
Gerry Hofstetter, Light Artist & Film Producer Hofstetter Marketing
Javiera Estrada, Artist
Tatjana Rupp (Topic Leader), Member of the International Students' Committee

As the need for innovation is growing, the routinisation of well-structured creative processes within organizations is key for concurrent value creation. Prof. Susan Goldsworthy of IMD, this year's St. Gallen Symposium artist Javiera Estrada and Light Artist Gerry Hofstetter will discuss the role of collaboration in the creative process. Together, and in conversation with the audience, they’ll explore the way collaboration can drive creativity in various organisational contexts, and, on the other hand, the role of introversion and lone contemplation in creating something new.

Connecting Business with Purpose: The Potential of Skills-Based Volunteering
Speaker
Curdin Duschletta, Head Community Impact Switzerland & Foundations, UBS
Christopher Jarvis, Executive Director, RWInstitute
Prof. Amanda Shantz (Topic Leader), MBA Director and Professor of Management, University of St.Gallen

Many employee volunteering and giving programs are presented as an employee perk, similar to casual Fridays or a team-building event. But treating workplace giving and volunteering this way fails to fully capitalise on the great potential of such programs: to foster employee personal growth, and address key societal challenges. The panel will particularly explore the potential of skills-based volunteering, its benefits, and the unique challenges that arise when moving from merely transactional volunteering to something far more transformative.

Financing the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Speaker
Patrick Zhong, Founding Managing Partner, M31 Capital
Makram Azar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Full Circle Capital
Prof. Julia Binder (Topic Leader), Professor of Sustainable Innovation and Business Transformation, IMD Business School

The investment landscape over the next twenty years will be radically different from previous generations. While there appears to be greater access to capital, there also appears to be much more volatility and debt with no clear dominant financing mechanism. Entrepreneurs, VC, Private Equity, and banks will have to find new ways to work together to create growth and stimulate innovation. How can investors and entrepreneurs better collaborate and find mutually beneficial agreements that balance risk and return?

Hacking the Fashion & Luxury Watchmaking Industry towards more Sustainability (with Condé Nast College)
Speaker
Martina Bonnier, Editor-In-Chief, Vogue Scandinavia
Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO, Omega S.A
Carmen Jenny, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, CLOTHESfriends AG
Johannes Reponen (Topic Leader), Director of Post-Graduate Programmes; Academic Affairs; Research & Knowledge Exchange, Condé Nast College

The fashion industry accounts for 10% of humanity’s annual carbon emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping combined. For long, the fashion and luxury watchmaking industry drove, together with the fashion media industry, unsustainable dynamics in the sector: generating more and more demand through an artificial cycle of new collections and seasonal trends. Businesses’ marketing, media as well as influencers thereby create a constant longing and demand for their products. How can designers, fashion houses and publishers exit this vicious cycle and, collaboratively, drive the transition towards more sustainable and ethical fashion and luxury watchmaking?

M100 Sanssouci Colloquium@St. Gallen: Media’s New Power: More Impact Through Collaborative Journalism
Speaker
Mathias Müller von Blumencron, Journalist, Member of the Board, Tagesanzeiger and Advisory Board Member M100 Sanssouci Colloquium
Joanna Krawczyk, Chairwoman, Leading European Newspaper Alliance
Paul Radu, Investigative Journalist, Co-Founder OCCRP
Astrid Frohloff (Topic Leader), TV Presenter and Journalist, Advisory Board Member M100 Sanssouci Colloquium

Media diversity, freedom of the press and freedom of expression in Europe are currently under threat. Journalists and independent media companies are increasingly joining forces across borders to respond to such challenges as well as to be able to continue to offer independent quality journalism in the future. This session will identify learnings from new media partnerships such as the Leading European Newspaper Alliance (LENA) and the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) to identify how media can most effectively work together.

Democratizing Access to the next Generation of Technology and Innovation: Communities and Radical Transformation
Speaker
Gina Loften, Member of the Board of Trustees, TIAA
Luzius Meisser, Chairman, Bitcoin Suisse
Tycho Onnasch, General Manager, Trust Machines
Shuo Chen (Topic Leader), General Partner, IOVC

Technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship are key drivers of the modern economy and social mobility. Given their importance, we should strive to improve accessibility to tech, education and entrepreneurship across all backgrounds. Creating open and inclusive communities, especially with tech is important to accomplishing this goal, but it is easier said that done. Simultaneously, a third iteration of the internet – Web3 – has the potential to radically transform the internet of things and reduce barriers to access. How can these forces be effectively harnessed and directed for the benefit of all people and move the world forward?

Varieties of Tech Capitalism: Europe's Approach to Innovation and Regulation in a Global Context
Speaker
Julian Teicke, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, wefox
Lisa-Marie Fassl, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Female Founders
Christoph Keese (Topic Leader), Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer, hy

Over the past decades, the tech sector, especially the internet of things, has become a central component of modern economies. Trying to catch up with the exponential pace of technological development, the US, China, and Europe are crafting rules of the game on digital markets. What are the emerging characteristic differences between regulatory regimes of digital markets, in the US, Europe and beyond, and how do they balance innovation and regulation? In light of strategic competition over tech dominance between the US and China, what are the opportunities and challenges for Europe in particular?

Changed for Good? Engaging with the New World of Work
Speaker
Petra von Strombeck, Chief Executive Officer, New Work SE
Jean-Christophe Deslarzes, Chair of the Board, Adecco Group
Nat Ware, Founder & CEO Forte
Prof. Heike Bruch (Topic Leader), Director, Institute for Leadership and Human Resources Management, University of St. Gallen
Watch Here

The Covid-19 pandemic has changed the world of work forever. The fast and widespread adoption of remote work and an ever-increasing concern of employees with purpose and meaning on their job have intensified the war for talents. Reaching out to and concurrently engaging employees is key for businesses across sectors and regions. What learnings can be drawn from the pandemic as regards our approach to work? Has the world of work changed for the better? And what role does leadership culture and a new approach to hiring play going forward?

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Public Sessions

The St. Gallen Symposium’s mission is to foster open and inclusive cross-generational dialogue.
Therefore, we offer various events and initiatives which invite the public in Switzerland and in global locations to join – throughout the year
and at our main annual symposium.
If you are interested in participating in one of our events, click here.

Symposium in Town

Dates to be announced soon

In cooperation with the public programme of the University of St. Gallen and in the light of the  125th anniversary of the University of St. Gallen, we invite you to the St. Gallen Symposium in Town for the first time.

Sankt Gipfeltreffen

Date to be announced soon

Look behind the scenes of the St. Gallen Symposium.

Symphony Orchestra

5. / 12. / 25. May 2024

Visit us to listen to the beautiful melodies of the HSG Alumni Symphony Orchestra.

EcoOst St. Gallen Symposium

21. May 2024

Find out more about the EcoOst St. Gallen Symposium.

Digital Sessions & Livestreams

Dates to be announced soon

Rewatch and listen to cross-generational insights of the previous St. Gallen Symposium. 

Previous Public Sessions

Enjoy the recordings of our previous public sessions on Youtube.

Opening Ceremony of the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium

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.

with

Prof. Bernhard Ehrenzeller,
Cyril Flaig,
Leo Legler,
Deborah Walt,
and
Lord Brian Griffiths of Fforestfach

Thursday, 4 May, 09:00 – 09:30 (CET)

Thinking Long-Term in an Age of “Permacrisis”

Urgent crises and long-term changes are distinct yet interrelated. Our current focus on immediate problems overrides concerns for the future, including climate and technology. How can we balance both in the face of a “polycrisis”?

with

Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook (Topic Leader),
Desmond Lee,
Sophie Howe,
and
Toby Thorpe


Thursday, 4 May, 09:30 – 10:30 (CET)

Shaping a Sustainable Future of Consumption

As population rises and resources dwindle, sustainable consumption is necessary. To achieve this, we can adopt circular economy principles, rethink habits, and learn from businesses’ sustainable practices.

with

Prof. Johanna Gollnhofer (Topic Leader),
Daniel Grieder,
Yasuhito Hirota,
Michelle Gibbons,
Raynald Aeschlimann,
and
Sarah Maria Nordt

Thursday, 4 May, 11:00 – 12:30 (CET)

Industry Transformation: Orchestrating Technology and Organisational Change

Digitalization, economic instability, and workplace changes are disrupting all sectors. Transforming industries requires collaboration between incumbents and startups, leveraging their strengths for change. This session focuses on energy sector transformation.

with

Fabienne Kinzelmann-Opel (Topic Leader),
C Vijayakumar,
Vaitea Cowan,
and
Johannes Teyssen

Thursday, 4 May, 11:00 – 12:30 (CET)

Leading Through Transformation: A Cross-Generational Conversation with Nicolai Tangen

Nicolai Tangen leads Norway’s “oil fund”, managing 1.2T CHF and owning 1.4% of every public company. He will discuss the fund’s role and responsibilities in building and safeguarding financial wealth for future generations.

with

Linn Ehrbar (Topic Leader)
and
Nicolai Tangen


Thursday, 4 May, 14:00 – 14:30 (CET)

Geopolitical Disruption: Fast-Forwarding the Energy Transition?

This session delves into balancing immediate energy needs with sustainable solutions amid the global energy crisis. We’ll analyze how it affects Europe, the Middle East, and developing countries, and balancing the transition towards sustainability for developed and developing nations.

with

Ryan Chilcote (Topic Leader),
Marco Alverà,
Leonhard Birnbaum,
and
Vanessa Nakate

Thursday, 4 May, 14:30 – 15:30 (CET)

Making Inclusion Work – A Personal Conversation With Two Industry Pioneers (with Pink Economic Forum)

We spend 80,000 hours at work, highlighting the need for inclusive environments where colleagues feel safe to be themselves. This drives business success through innovation, talent retention, and more inclusive product designs. This session explores cultivating diversity and inclusion in organizations.

with

Prof. Gudrun Sander (Topic Leader),
Dame Inga Beale,
and
Christina Keller




Thursday, 4 May, 16:00 – 17:00 (CET)

Generationen, Gesundheit, Sicherheit  – Neue Narrative zur Bekämpfung der Klimakrise?


Die Wissenschaft kennt Ursachen und Auswirkungen des Klimawandels. Politische und gesellschaftliche Ziele und Strategien existieren. Doch wie setzt man sie um? Neue Narrative und Ansätze sind nötig, um gesellschaftlichen und individuellen Wandel zu fördern.
(PLEASE NOTE: THIS SESSION WILL ONLY BE AVAILABLE IN GERMAN)

with

Prof. Claudia Franziska Brühwiler (Topic Leader),
Eckart von Hirschhausen,
and
Prof. Richard David Precht

Thursday, 4 May, 16:00 – 17:00 (CET)

Privacy and the Data-Driven Economy: Striking the Right Balance?

Privacy and competition are both vital in the tech industry. Balancing these elements is key for innovation, progress, and user protection. Let us discuss the challenges of finding a compromise that considers the next generation’s priorities.

with

Pranjal Sharma (Topic Leader),
Keith Enright,
Prof. Mariana Valente
and
John W. H. Denton








Thursday, 4 May, 16:00 – 17:00 (CET)

Global Insights from the Next Generation: The Global Essay Competition 2023 Award Ceremony

Sal Khan presents his vision for a New Generational Contract at our 2023 Global Essay Competition Award Ceremony. The top three essays on this year’s topic will be shared and celebrated by the Award Jury and global audience.

with

Aditya Ghosh
and
Sal Khan


Thursday, 4 May, 17:45 – 18:45 (CET)

A New Generational Contract:
Global Initiative of the St. Gallen Symposium and the Club of Rome

St. Gallen Symposium and The Club of Rome launched “A New Generational Contract” to promote systems thinking and mutual learning between generations. This session will discuss principles, priorities, and projects for bringing generations together with a short-term and long-term view.

with
Mamphela Ramphele
Dominic Barton
and
Max Südmark

Friday, 5 May, 09:00 – 09:30 (CET)

The Quest for Strategic Foresight

Navigating multiple crises demands strategic foresight to prevent consequential crises and build a sustainable future. This session explores how policy-makers and business leaders can balance short-term reactions with long-term transformation.
with

Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook (Topic Leader),
Gerald Butts,
René Obermann,
and
Anahita Thoms






Friday, 5 May, 09:30 – 10:30 (CET)

The Future of Education in an Age of Grand Challenges (on the Occasion of the 125-Year Anniversary of HSG)

Education needs to adapt to the changing needs of society and students. To remain relevant, it must embrace new approaches, technologies and commit to ongoing professional development. How can education transform to prepare students for the future?

with

Prof. Jean-François Manzoni (Topic Leader),
Tabata Amaral,
Prof. Bernhard Ehrenzeller,
Patrick Awuah,
Esther Wojcicki,
and
Prof. Miriam Meckel

Friday, 5 May, 11:00 – 12:30 (CET)

Global Food Insecurity: How Can We Build Resilience?


Global food insecurity, worsened by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, hits Africa hard, especially smallholder farmers. How can we support sustainable agriculture and invest in resilient crops? What are the potential risks and benefits of multi-stakeholder partnerships to address this issue?

with

Prof. Simon Evenett (Topic Leader),
Erik Fyrwald,
Bineta Diop,
and
Peter Maurer




Friday, 5 May, 11:00 – 12:30 (CET)

The Generational Impacts of Monetary Policy and Inflation

Explore monetary policy’s complex relationship with inflation and future value creation with the Chairman of Swiss National Bank. Learn how central banks balance short-term needs with long-term implications on growth, financial stability and markets.

with

Prof. Manuel Ammann (Topic Leader) ,
Prof. Thomas J. Jordan,
and
Amanda Sinnecker







Friday, 5 May, 11:00 – 12:30 (CET)

Max Schmidheiny Session with Ukrainian Nobel Peace Laureate Oleksandra Matviichuk

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.

with

Ali Aslan (Topic Leader),
and
Oleksandra Matviichuk

Friday, 5 May, 14:00 – 14:30 (CET)

The Return of the State: A Shift in Paradigms?

As crises and shocks elevate states’ role in the economy, recent developments in the US, Europe, India and China show a shift towards state regulation, investment, and protection. This raises fundamental questions about the balance between state and market-driven dynamics.

with

Michael Rauchenstein (Topic Leader),
Andreas Brandstetter,
Ricarda Lang,
and
Prof. Uwe Krueger




Friday, 5 May, 14:30 – 15:30 (CET)

Family Businesses: Role Models for Long-Term Thinking and Intergenerational Equity?

Long-standing family businesses are the backbone of many economies, especially in the DACH region. Their values and strategies may hold wider lessons for a New Generational Contract in business. How can we learn from them to foster effective collaboration and stakeholder capitalism?

with

Eunice Zehnder-Lai (Topic Leader),
André Hoffmann,
and
Christina Keller

Friday, 5 May, 16:00 – 17:00 (CET)

Safe and Responsible Migration: An Agenda for Europe?

Migration is a highly polarizing topic, yet businesses argue for safe and responsible migration as an economic necessity, especially for skilled talent. This session will explore options for migration that benefit individuals and countries while examining current debates and developments in Europe.

with

Philippe Narval (Topic Leader),
Janina Kugel,
Abdul Aziz Muhamat,
and
Martin Hecker

Friday, 5 May, 16:00 – 17:00 (CET)

How Change Happens: Social Movements Between Parliaments and Protest (with ISC Alumni)

Founded in 1969, the International Students’ Committee (ISC) created the St. Gallen Symposium as a platform for cross-generational dialogue. Today, a session will discuss social movements and their challenges.

with

Veit Dengler (Topic Leader),
Vanessa Nakate,
and
Ayọ Tometi

Friday, 5 May, 16:00 – 17:00 (CET)

Closing Ceremony of the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium

Closing Ceremony of the 52nd St. Gallen Symposium.

with

Guy Parmelin,
Kaylin Barell,
and
Johannes Sonnenstatter







Friday, 5 May, 17:15 – 18:00 (CET

Supporting Partner

The Ria & Arthur Dietschweiler Foundation is a St. Gallen-based organisation with a strong will to advance the region of St. Gallen in the fields of education, culture and society. The foundation is known and respected as a future-oriented actor and was founded by Ria and Arthur Dietschweiler who were successful entrepreneurs in food wholesale with companies in Munich and St. Gallen. With the support of the Dietschweiler Foundation, the results and findings of the annual symposium will be presented and discussed in the St. Gallen Symposium Public Forum. The support caters to a strong basis for cross-generational solutions and positive impact for our globe.