Enjoy our curated selection of sessions at the 51st St. Gallen Symposium on “Collaborative Advantage” from 5 – 6 May 2022.
Max Schmidheiny Session 2022: Democracy, Free Media and the Challenge of New Authoritarianism
Throughout the past decade, many of the world’s democracies have seen the rise of leaders whose politics are a mix of populism, nationalism, and authoritarianism. Whether in the US, Hungary, or the Philippines, a free and independent press is often one of their primary targets. For the public 2022 Max Schmidheiny Lecture, Maria Ressa, CEO of Philippine news platform Rappler and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Christophe Deloire, Secretary-General of RSF spoke on the current challenges for independent journalists in the wake of authoritarian tendencies in the democracies. The session was moderated by Veit Dengler, Visiting Fellow at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford.
with
Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2021, CEO Rappler
Christophe Deloire, Secretary-General and Executive Director, Reporters Without Borders
Veit Dengler (Topic Leader), Visiting Fellow, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford
Opening Ceremony
Opening Ceremony of the 51st St. Gallen Symposium
with
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister, Canada
Brian Griffiths Baron of Fforestfatch, Conference Chairman, St. Gallen Symposium
Peter Voser, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, St. Gallen Symposium
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook, Non-Resident Fellow, Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi),
Vivian Bernet, Lucas Mortier & Niklas Zeller, Heads of the International Students’ Committee
The Price of Interdependence: Towards Economic Regionalisation?
The Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion in Ukraine have demonstrated the vulnerabilities of a densely connected global economy. This opening panel of the 51st St. Gallen Symposium will explore ways in which this current moment is reconfiguring the nature and form of global economic collaboration. How will national economies and businesses strike a balance between independence and interdependence going forward? How can global value chains emerge more resilient from current disruptions?
with
Karl Gernandt, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Kuehne+Nagel Group
Bogolo Kenewendo, African Economist, fmr. Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Botswana
Li Xin (Topic Leader), Managing Director, Caixin and Vice President, Caixin Media
When Investors Join Forces: the New Drivers of Political and Sustainable Change?
The financial sector has an increasingly key role to play in the transition towards a greener, more sustainable economy. Both large private and public investors – including asset managers and pension funds – as well as insurers – as underwriters and investors – increasingly vow to leave or divest from polluting industries. Are such promises followed up by action? How can investors as shareholders drive change in corporate behaviour and what are the limits to their power?
with
Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Singapore
Andreas Brandstetter, Chief Executive Officer, UNIQA Insurance Group
Nina dos Santos (Topic Leader), Europe Editor, CNN International
Space Exploration: Driver of Collaboration or Competition?
While the space race was a key arena for competition between the US and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, space exploration has since offered outstanding examples of international collaboration – most notably the International Space Station. However, the future of the ISS is highly uncertain, private companies are increasingly competing for profits in space, and the pollution of the Earth’s Orbit poses severe challenges. Will the next generation of space exploration be marked again by competition?
with
Josef Aschbacher, Director General, European Space Agency (ESA)
Franklin Chang Díatz, Former NASA Astronaut and Founder and CEO of Ad Astra Rocket Company
Alyssa Goessler, Research Intern, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Prof. Damian Borth (Topic Leader), Professor of AI and ML, University of St.Gallen
Data-Driven Policies to Fight Inequalities (with Lemann Foundation)
Data-driven policy-making is about evidence-based policy-making, facilitating citizen participation, and creating efficiency in allocating resources – therefore being essential to policies targeting inequality. However, governments encounter technical and legal difficulties in their digital transformation. How can data effectively strengthen the work of governments in public policies for development and inequality reduction?
with
Bogolo Kenewendo, African Economist, fmr. Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Botswana
Felipe Rigoni, Federal Deputy, Brazilian Chamber of Deputies
Mariana Valente (Topic Leader), Assistant Professor for Law and Economics, University of St. Gallen
Unlocking the Collaborative Potential of the European Fintech-Ecosystem
Fintech has rapidly become one of the most critical and complex aspects of the financial services industry, including in Europe. The European fintech ecosystem comprises fintech companies, financial institutions and regulators. From a fintech perspective, what needs to happen to leverage and add value to create a collaborative advantage within this ecosystem? And what role does the European fintech industry want to play globally?
with
Lisa-Marie Fassl, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Female Founders
David Gugelmann, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Exeon Analytics
Florian Brokamp, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Thinksurance
Shuo Chen (Topic Leader), General Partner, IOVC
Re-examining Neutrality:
Austrian and Swiss Foreign Policy in times of War
For both Switzerland and Austria, neutrality in military and political conflicts has for long been a defining feature of their foreign policy– albeit in country-specific forms. The Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February has seen both countries adopting forceful sanctions against Russia as part of a coordinated European response to the invasion. What role can neutrality play in the countries’ foreign policies as interstate war has returned to the European continent? What are the immediate and long-term repercussions of current developments for the countries’ roles in Europe and the world?
with
Ignazio Cassis, President of the Swiss Confederation
Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for the EU and the Constitution of Austria
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook (Topic Leader), Non-Resident Fellow, GPPI
Dylan Feuerstein, International Students’ Committee
Global Public Goods:
An Idea to Revive Cooperation?
The 1990s were characterised by widespread optimism that the end of the Cold War would usher in a new era of global cooperation. This optimism has faded in the recent decade – most recently in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Nevertheless, our most pressing challenges such as a clean environment, global health and pandemic preparedness, and food security all extend beyond borders and elude solutions by one organisation, country or generation alone. How can we revive the quest for global cooperation on global public goods, whose provision is in the interest of all of humanity?
with
José Manuel Barroso, Board Chair, Gavi Vaccine Alliance
Maja Göpel, Political Economist
Marcela Escobari, Assistant Administrator for Latin America & the Caribbean at USAID
Nina dos Santos (Topic Leader), Europe Editor CNN International
Mind the Gap: Protecting Against Climate Risks and Losses
Intensified by a warming climate, events like hurricanes, wildfires and floods have become increasingly frequent. Ambitious actions to limit global warming will be key to limit the scale and magnitude of this challenge. Nonetheless, it’s important to think about how we can protect individuals and organisations from the risks and losses induced by climate change – already now and in the years going forward. How should governments and businesses – particularly in the insurance sector – collaborate to protect against climate risks and losses?
with
Vanessa Nakate, Climate Justice Activist
Shashi Tharoor, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
Florence Tondu-Mélique, CEO, Zurich France, Zurich Insurance Company
Prof. Judith Walls (Topic Leader), Co-Director, Institute for Economy and the Environment, University of St.Gallen
The Supply Chain Crisis: How Can Business Emerge More Resilient?
During the past two years, the Covid-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the blockage of major shipping routes have massively disrupted global supply chains. Such developments have slowed down the pace of the post-pandemic economic recovery around the world and have demonstrated the vulnerabilities businesses and consumers encounter in a densely connected global economy. This session will explore the magnitude of these changes for the world economy, how major players are dealing with them, and how supply chains can become more resilient going forward.
with
Dorothea von Boxberg, Chief Executive Officer, Lufthansa Cargo AG
Peter Voser, Chairman of the Board of Directors, ABB Ltd
Luz Maria de la Mora, Vice Minister of Foreign Trade, Mexico
Prof. Simon Evenett (Topic Leader), Director, SIAW, University of St. Gallen
St. Gallen Symposium Global Essay Competition (GEC) – Award Ceremony
Global Essay Competition Award Ceremony of the 51st St. Gallen Symposium.
with
Nuseir Yassin, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Nas Academy
Riz Khan, International Journalist, Television Host, and Author
Grace Fu – Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Singapore
Prof. Georg Von Krogh – Professor of Strategic Management and Innovation – ETH Zürich
Fleeing From War: Will Europe Stand Together This Time?
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, more than 4 million refugees have fled Ukraine, with an additional 6.5 million internally displaced. Different from previous refugee crises, the war in Ukraine has led to a faster response and more coordinated adjustment within countries and the EU. To what extent have European countries improved their mechanisms to share responsibility in the protection of refugees? And will the current wave of solidarity and collaboration between governments and civil society be sustainable?
with
Marcela Escobari, Assistant Administrator for Latin America & the Caribbean at USAID
Stefan Steinlein, Assistant Secretary of State, Federal Foreign Office of Germany
Malgorzata Bonikowska (Topic Leader), President, Centre for International Relations, THINKTANK Magazine
Europe and China: Competition and Interdependence (Hub Session at the Swiss Embassy in Beijing)
Often overshadowed by China-US relations, engagement of Europe with China is increasingly characterised by strategic competition, but, equally, by deep-running economic interdependence. To what extent can economic ties continue to act as a driver of restraint and collaboration in European-Chinese relations? Or, on the contrary, are we entering an age where differences in geopolitical and ideological outlook – also in light of the war in Ukraine – increasingly dominate mutual engagement?
with
Prof. Markus Gabriel, Chair in Epistemology, Modern, and Contemporary Philosophy, University of Bonn
Katalin Cseh, Member of European Parliament, Vice-Chair Renew Europe Group
Prof. Feng Zhongping, Director, Institute of European Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Eric Li, Vice Chair, China Forum – Center for International Security and Strategy (Tsinghua University) // Founder and managing partner, Chengwei Capital
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook, (Topic Leader), Non-Resident Fellow, Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi)
A New Generational Contract:
Visions for Business, Politics and Society
The generational contract captures the principle that different generations depend on each other to provide mutual support across different stages of their lives – implicitly defining “what generations owe each other”. In light of demographic change, unprecedented debt levels, and environmental challenges, the generational contract and underlying ideas of intergenerational fairness have been severely challenged. How can decision-makers moderate the dialogue between the generations and promote intergenerational fairness in areas such as sustainability, health, education, and fiscal policy?
with
Friedrich Merz, Chairman, Christian Democratic Union (CDU)
Mamphela Ramphele, Co-President, Club of Rome
Claudia Plakolm, State Secretary for Youth, Government of Austria
Prof. Christoph Frei (Topic Leader), Associate Professor of Political Science, University of St.Gallen
Back to Life? NATO’s Role in the New World Disorder
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO appears to have gained renewed relevance and purpose. Indeed, NATO’s collective defence assurances may have deterred aggression elsewhere. It’s time to re-examine NATO’s role within an ever more interconnected and multi-polar world: Does a multilateral institution grounded in liberal values have a responsibility to promote stability and/or defend its values beyond its member countries? And what are limits to NATO’s ambitions to guarantee peace and stability in a world no longer defined by American unipolarity?
with
Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, 4th President of the Republic of Croatia
Yelyzaveta Yasko, Member of Parliament, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
Benedikt Franke, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Munich Security Conference
Ali Aslan (Topic Leader), International TV Presenter and Journalist
A Lesson in Interdependence: How the War in Ukraine Put Global Food Security at Risk
Ukraine and Russia account for 29% of global wheat exports and 62% of sunflower oil. As a result, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to a sharp increase in global commodity and food prices. Lower-income countries in particular have to pay more for basic food imports – raising the risks of widespread food insecurity. How is the war in Ukraine impacting food security and how should governments and businesses react to disruptions in the global food system?
with
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Former Deputy President of South Africa, Founder of Umlambo Foundation
Petra Laux, Global Head Business Sustainability Crop Protection, Syngenta
Christine Gould, Founder & CEO Thought For Food Foundation,
Prof. Simon Evenett Director (Topic Leader), Swiss Institute for International Economics and Applied Economic Research, University of St. Gallen
Energy (In-)Security: Game Changer for Europe’s Energy Transition, but in What Direction?
In light of the war in Ukraine, the question of energy (in)security has moved on top of the political and economic agenda in Europe and beyond. The Russian invasion has laid bare Europe’s energy dependency in multiple ways. Above all, it raises the question how the transition towards renewable energy sources can be accelerated and what role conventional energy sources should play in the short- and medium-term. Is there a realistic pathway through which renewable energy sources could fully power Europe in the near future? What should, alternatively, be the role of oil, gas, coal or nuclear in Europe’s energy mix, and for how long?
with
Franklin Chang Díaz, Former NASA Astronaut and Founder and CEO of Ad Astra Rocket Company
Kerstin Knapp, Executive Vice President, People & Culture, Vestas Wind Systems
Ben van Beurden, CEO, Shell plc
Prof. Rolf Wüstenhagen (Topic Leader), Co-Director, Institute for Economy and the Environment, University of St.Gallen
Varieties of Tech Capitalism: Europe’s Approach to Innovation and Regulation in a Global Context
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?
with
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
Collaborative Advantage Across Generations: Reflecting on the SGS Experience (ISC Alumni)
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.
with
Christoph Loos, Chief Executive Officer, Hilti AG
Vivian Bernet
Member of the International Students’ Committee (Topic Leader)
Changed for Good? Engaging with the New World of Work
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?
with
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
Closing Ceremony of the 51st St. Gallen Symposium
Closing Ceremony of the 51st St. Gallen Symposium.
with
Fabio Heini and Sophia Gampp, Members of the International Students’ Committee
Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook
Non-Resident Fellow, Global Public Policy Institute (GPPi),
Dominic Barton, Co-Conference Chairman, St. Gallen Symposium
Niklas Zeller Head of the International Students’ Committee
