10 Break-Out Sessions
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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
2. & 3. May 2024
In cooperation with the Ria & Arthur Dietschweiler Foundation and the public programme of the University of St. Gallen, we invite you to the St. Gallen Symposium in Town.
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.