European Forum Alpbach 2024

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The European Forum Alpbach 2024 will take place from 17 - 30 August 2024.

Described as “an absolutely outstanding opportunity for young minds to interact, discuss, build friendships and collaborations, and to promote positive changes in the future” by one of our former scholarship holders, Alpbach is an inspirational place that opens minds and souls for Europe's future.

When the European Forum Alpbach was founded in 1945, it was created with a dream — a dream about the future of Europe.

The Forum’s initiators agreed wholeheartedly on the foundations of their dream: the fight against Nazism and Communism, and the dream of democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity, as well as the nurturing of science and education. They agreed to meet in Alpbach for a couple of weeks each year to discuss the content of their dreams and to convert this content - if they found an agreement - into reality.

As is always the case, the founders of Alpbach discovered that in the pursuit of a common dream, opinions about how to make it come true, diverged – both content and procedurewise. Out of these discussions however grew a platform with a think tank populated by European intellectuals and doers, who had a profound influence on the shaping of Europe in the decades to come. Left or right was not the differentiator, but liberal and anti-liberal was.

The following decades brought about an astonishing development of the European integration project — politically and economically – and much more profoundly than the Forum Alpbach’s founders could have ever dreamed of. Several years after the first Forum Alpbach meeting — in 1958 — six countries founded the European Economic Communities with the goal of creating a common European market. When this task was completed, in 1992 a new treaty set the stage for the European Economic and Monetary Union, characterised by an everdeepening political integration. By the late 2000s the European Union had expanded to 28 states including 11 members of the former communist bloc. Such an achievement was probably far beyond the dreams of any Alpbach founder.

Today the EU is shrinking and so is Europe’s economic power. Europes position as a strong influencer in the world is at risk.

Europe’s role in world history was by no means flawless; it ranged from aggressive to destructive, from very brutal to just brutal. Rare were the times when Europe assumed a role that brought peace and prosperity to other parts of the world. Also because of its history, the European Union had never attempted to achieve military power, however the rapid development of its economic strength gave it a chance to defend its values of democracy, rule of law and a socially-oriented market economy on the world stage.

When the European Forum Alpbach was founded in 1945, it was created with a dream — a dream about the future of Europe. Thus, as Europe’s value to the world is eroding, we must find the power and the courage to reverse these processes. During the past 75 years Europe has demonstrated to the world that the pursuit of peace, democracy and the creation of a strong civil society, in combination with strong economic and scientific performance, can create something very valuable, not only for Europe but for the entire world.

Still today, we ought to be worried about Europe’s future. Twenty years ago the European Union was growing and so was Europe’s economic position in the world. Today the EU is shrinking and so is Europe’s economic power. For the first time our Union has lost a member, our economic strength seems to be fading away, our defence systems appear weak, and political tensions are rapidly on the rise. In short, Europe’s position as a strong influencer in the world is at risk. Europe is about to lose its global scientific and economic edge in a rapid manner, while the values of its societal strengths diminish.

In this new context, the Forum Alpbach will be as important for Europe today as it was in 1945.

1. The European Forum Alpbach is a space and place for the emergence of reflection and action. It brings together young people from Europe and from all over the world with the most innovative minde from politics, business, civil society, culture, and science to drive ideas for a strong and democratic Europe. With this diverse, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary community, the Forum influences key actors throughout the European continent to facilitate their learning and decisions.
2. The Forum Alpbach offers transformational encounters between those unlikely actors to create action that allows Europe to strengthen its role in the world as a responsible force for good. A leading role that not only benefits our continent but the world and its joint prosperity and peace. A leading role that creates an environment allowing science and business to thrive and reassume equal footing with other geopolitical actors but also promote and protect civil society and the values we stand for.
3. It requires Europe to further align its legal frameworks, rules and regulations as well as its political institutions to preserve the promise of open borders, cooperation and a good life for all.

THE EFA24 MODULES

Euregio Days: The Forum for people who want to find regional solutions to global problems.

The people of the Tyrol/South Tyrol/Trentino Euroregion gather in Alpbach. Outstanding research and innovation will be awarded and “Tyrol Day” marks a festive highlight.

Alpbach Seminars: The Forum for outstanding young talents to learn, debate and engage.

Each year, EFA awards about 600 scholarships to young people. The Alpbach Seminars offer five days of inspirational and thought-provoking sessions.

Lab Days: The Forum for innovative minds to deep dive, envision and co-create on a specific topic.

Selected experts (by invitation only) work on predetermined issues and find answers to specific questions.

Europe in the World Days: The Forum for Europeans who drive ideas for a strong and democratic Europe.

Key actors of European politics, the economy, science, and culture meet in Alpbach for the season kick-off. A variety of innovative formats shapes these four days, including hikes, chats, stages, workshops, and rituals.

Austria in Europe Days: The Forum for those who shape Europe from an Austrian perspective.

To define Austria’s role in Europe and vice versa, the Austria in Europe Days mark the season opening of Austrian politics. Key actors of civil society, business, and parliament productively engage with each other and the next generation.

THE THEME

The annual theme “Moment of Truth” reflects the crucial decisions that have to be made in 2024. With over 70 elections worldwide, this year is a decisive one.

In 2024, we face the moment of truth: Countries with more than half of the world's population will vote in the biggest election year in history. This has the potential to shake up international relations. Citizens of the European Union will cast their votes in June and a new European Commission is expected to form in autumn. Therefore, the European Forum Alpbach has a unique opportunity to shape discussions on the EU's political priorities for the next five years.

The elections are likely to reveal growing political and social polarisation in Europe, with truth being contested by different groups within our societies. Attempts of disinformation and foreign interference will accompany many elections, undermining trust in our democratic institutions. Tensions are exacerbated by ongoing wars, cost of living crises and climate disasters. This polycrisis will put Europe's democracy and cohesion to the test. 2024 is the moment of truth, with the future of the continent at stake. If Europe does not stand united and act decisively, the threat of disintegration looms large.