Programme ‘24
We need to radically rethink how we want to design our future. Compromise and sacrifice? Or might technological development save us?
The vast consumption of our planet’s resources and its catastrophic implications for the environment require us to rapidly deploy renewable energy systems and come up with a new way of interacting with our environment. How can we achieve this transition? How can we cover our need for sustainable infrastructure on a large scale? And how do we enable innovation to support us along the way?
Our speakers, all of whom are decision-makers and experts from various fields, will provide fresh input, approaches and perspectives on these questions. Find out more in our programme of the Municipal Summer Talks 2024.
![Kommunaltage 31.08. (25 von 45)](https://www.sommergespraeche.at/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kommunaltage-31.08.-25-von-45.jpg)
Rethink the system. Let’s kick-start the process together.
-
- Intro
- Meinrad Knapp
TopicWhere are we headed?
Speaker-
Meinrad Knapp
ATV & Kronehit
-
- Impulse
- Franz Frosch
- Johannes Pressl
- Sebastian Firlinger
TopicWelcome
Speaker-
Franz Frosch
Mayor Bad Aussee -
Johannes Pressl
President of the Austrian Association of Municipalities -
Sebastian Firlinger
Acting CEO
-
- Discussion
- Andreas Eggenberger
- Božo Lasic
- Johannes Pressl
- Andreas Schatzer
- Radka Vladykova
- Uwe Brandl
TopicAddressing the current situation. A municipal inventory.
National & international climate targets are presenting us with growing challenges. We need to implement solutions now. How can we achieve this? What does it take?
Speaker-
Andreas Eggenberger
President Rheintal Border Community -
Božo Lasic
President of the Croatian Association of Municipalities -
Johannes Pressl
President of the Austrian Association of Municipalities -
Andreas Schatzer
President of the South Tyrolean Association of Municipalities, Mayor of Vahrn (Bolzano) -
Radka Vladykova
Executive Director of the Union of Towns and Cities of the Czech Republic -
Uwe Brandl
President of the German Association of Towns and Municipalities
-
- Impulse
- Sebastian Firlinger
TopicRethinking Infrastructure. Innovations & investments for the green revolution.
Infrastructure is the key to a sustainable society. New green technologies harbour enormous potential. We must enforce and, above all, finance them.
Speaker-
Sebastian Firlinger
Acting CEO
-
- Impulse
- Joschka Fischer
TopicEnough with the words. Let deeds follow.
We are living in a time to change. Europe must find its role in the new world order – and utilise the opportunities that present themselves. Can Europe still play a leading role?
Speaker-
Joschka Fischer
former Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Germany
-
- Talk
- Christoph Badelt
- Joschka Fischer
TopicMarshall-plan 2.0. Europe as debt or stability union?
Europe is facing major challenges – and investments. The digital and ecological transformation must be mastered, resilience and defence capabilities must be expanded and Europe’s competitiveness must be strengthened.
Speaker-
Christoph Badelt
President of the Fiscal Council -
Joschka Fischer
former Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Germany
-
- Talk
- Thomas Hofer
- Meinrad Knapp
TopicFact check
What has history taught us? Are we brave enough for change?
Speaker-
Thomas Hofer
Political Analyst -
Meinrad Knapp
ATV & Kronehit
-
- Impulse
- Baron Lobstein
TopicClimate Pioneer USA
Hundreds of billions of US dollars are available in the USA for investment in climate protection, focussing on promoting green technologies and driving forward infrastructure expansion. Can Europe follow this example?
Speaker-
Baron Lobstein
Political-Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy in Vienna
-
- Impulse
- Rafael Grossi
TopicRethinking the energy mix. How green is nuclear energy?
Nuclear science and technology is constantly evolving. Climate change and the quest for energy security present all countries and regions with the central question of the optimal, sustainable energy mix.
Speaker-
Rafael Grossi
Director General IAEA
-
- Impulse
- Leonore Gewessler
TopicRecognising the signs of the times. Commitment to action.
What is nature still worth to us? We must finally improve political decision-making processes so that effective measures are adopted to tackle the climate and diversity crisis.
Speaker-
Leonore Gewessler
Federal Minister for Climate Action
-
- Discussion
- Markus Achleitner
- Melanie Ebner
- Leonore Gewessler
- Arthur Kanonier
- Johannes Pressl
- Wolfgang Unterhuber
- Marcel Haraszti
TopicDealing with land & soil. Approaches & targets.
Too much construction and concreting are taking place at the moment. How can we make better use of old properties and derelict building land?
Speaker-
Markus Achleitner
State Councillor for Economic and Regional Planning (Upper Austria) -
Melanie Ebner
Greenpeace Austria -
Leonore Gewessler
Federal Minister for Climate Action -
Arthur Kanonier
Head of Research Department Soil Policy TU Vienna -
Johannes Pressl
President of the Austrian Association of Municipalities -
Wolfgang Unterhuber
Kurier -
Marcel Haraszti
CEO REWE
-
- Discussion
- Martijn van Koten
- Ulrich Benterbusch
- Thomas Gangl
TopicGreen. The new gold.
Green hydrogen will play a major role in the new energy mix; green steel is revolutionising an entire industry. How far have we come? What other possibilities are available?
Speaker-
Martijn van Koten
OMV Board Member -
Ulrich Benterbusch
Management Gascade -
Thomas Gangl
CEO Liberty Steel
-
- Discussion
- Impulse
- Hans Rusinek
TopicLet`s reinvent ourselves. We need more confidance.
We know that we must change somethings. But to what extent are we prepared to accept these changes? Let’s translate challenges into opportunities. Insights into futurology.
Speaker-
Hans Rusinek
Economist, University of St. Gallen
-
- Discussion
- Impulse
- Marcel Beverungen
- Jacques Ejlerskov
- Daniele Gamba
- Archibald Preuschat
- Michael Woltran
TopicThe role of money. Sustainable investments in the future.
Where and how should investments be made in order to generate the greatest impact for society? Politicians, private investors, companies, municipalities and countries – everyone can and must make a contribution here.
Speaker-
Marcel Beverungen
Managing Director & Head of DIF Germany -
Jacques Ejlerskov
CEO wa3rm -
Daniele Gamba
Managing Director TAG GmbH -
Archibald Preuschat
FAZ -
Michael Woltran
Management Board Austrian Gas Grid Management
-
- Discussion
- Katharina Forster
- Wolfgang Gerlich
- Gerald Mathis
- Johannes Laber
- Georg Renner
TopicTime to act. Spotlight on town centres.
Revitalising town centres creates quality of life and is the basis for a flourishing economy. How can we turn centres into focal points again?
Speaker-
Katharina Forster
Partner at nonconform ideenwerkstatt -
Wolfgang Gerlich
Managing Director Plansinn -
Gerald Mathis
Managing Director ISK Institute for Location, Regional and Municipal Development -
Johannes Laber
Head of Department Water & Resource Protection Kommunalkredit Public Consulting -
Georg Renner
Journalist
-
- Reception
TopicReception & dinner at the Blaa Alm.
-
- Impulse
- Othmar Karas
TopicGreen? Deal! Climate Pioneer Europe.
The EU wants to be climate-neutral by 2050. At least that’s what the masterplan envisages. What about the European Green Deal? Can we learn something from the USA?
Speaker-
Othmar Karas
First Vice-President European Parliament (2022-2024)
-
- Impulse
- Martin Kocher
TopicEuropean AI alliance. A challange.
The assessment of how artificial intelligence will change our working world fluctuates between digital turbo and fear of job losses. But can the new technology rather relieve us than replace us?
Speaker-
Martin Kocher
Federal Minister of Labour and Economic Affairs
-
- Discussion
- Gerhard Christiner
- Henrik Henriksson
- Martin Kocher
- Michael Strugl
- Kurt Svoboda
TopicJoint effort for a strong grid. Sustainable & affordable.
There is enough electricity available. But can we also transport it quickly and safely across the country? The grid needs to be expanded considerably. How quickly can we do that? And how can it be financed?
Speaker-
Gerhard Christiner
Board Spokesman Austrian Power Grid AG -
Henrik Henriksson
CEO H2 Green Steel -
Martin Kocher
Federal Minister of Labour and Economic Affairs -
Michael Strugl
Executive Board VERBUND AG -
Kurt Svoboda
CFO/CRO UNIQA Insurance Group AG
-
- Impulse
- Mojib Latif
TopicConfidence is key. Clever climate policies.
How much longer will we be able to experience winters with heavy frost and lots of snow? How much time do we have left to turn the proverbial tide? What do we need to do?
Speaker-
Mojib Latif
Head of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre
-
- Impulse
- Christoph Badelt
TopicInflation & climate crisis. How we can manage this?
We need more certainty so that the money is really channelled to where we need it now. Climate crisis and environmental protection, care and health, inflation and bottlenecks … we need to set ourselves ambitious targets.
Speaker-
Christoph Badelt
President of the Fiscal Council
-
- Impulse
- Christoph Schönborn
TopicTogether instead of side by side. Shared space.
What unites us must replace what divides us. Controversies can be overcome together. Always on equal footing and with openness.
Speaker-
Christoph Schönborn
Cardinal and Archbishop of Vienna
-
- Discussion
- Christoph Badelt
- Magnus Brunner
- Franziska Cecon
- Peter Koren
- Mojib Latif
- Christoph Schönborn
TopicGreening the economy & society. Impact & effect.
Courage is the order of the day. Embrace the opportunities offered by new developments. Everyone needs to take responsibility.
Speaker-
Christoph Badelt
President of the Fiscal Council -
Magnus Brunner
Federal Minister of Finance -
Franziska Cecon
Professor University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria -
Peter Koren
Vice Secretary General of the Federation of Austrian Industries -
Mojib Latif
Head of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre -
Christoph Schönborn
Cardinal and Archbishop of Vienna
-
- Impulse
- Sebastian Firlinger
- Johannes Pressl
TopicThank you & take-away
Speaker-
Sebastian Firlinger
Acting CEO -
Johannes Pressl
President of the Austrian Association of Municipalities
Our speakers in 2024.
They come from the worlds of business, science and politics. They will share their insights and perspectives, experiences and ideas. And they are all united by their desire to make a difference.
-
Joschka Fischerformer Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Germany
-
Leonore GewesslerFederal Minister for Climate Action
-
Mojib LatifHead of the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre
-
Gerhard ChristinerBoard Spokesman Austrian Power Grid AG
-
Christoph SchönbornCardinal and Archbishop of Vienna
-
Martijn van KotenOMV Board Member
-
Christoph BadeltPräsident Fiskalrat
-
Ulrich BenterbuschManagement Gascade