European Forum Wachau

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The venue is the Göttweig Abbey in Lower Austria
The European volcano Amikejo by the artist Valeska Peschke , an art project of the Danube University Krems , funded by the state of Lower Austria, at the Europa-Forum Wachau 2017

The Europa-Forum Wachau is a European political forum introduced in 1995 in the Göttweig Abbey in Furth near Göttweig in the Krems-Land district in Lower Austria . It is organized by the Europa-Forum Wachau association in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Lower Austrian State Government . The moderator is the publicist Paul Lendvai .

In 2019 the event was relaunched and extended by one day at a time. The association is now under the leadership of Theresa Edtstadler all year round .

The 25th European Forum Wachau has been postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic .

Foundation and organization

The event was launched in 1995 with Foreign Minister Alois Mock and Governor Erwin Pröll in the year Austria joined the European Union with the idea of ​​strengthening the closeness to the citizens of Europe and serving as a stimulus and discussion platform for European political decisions and their expansion. It is organized by the Europa-Forum Wachau association in cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs and the Office of the Lower Austrian State Government . The focus of the topics is the regional political development of the Danube region . Particular attention is paid to security , regional, economic and cultural developments. The Austrian journalist Paul Lendvai has been moderating the panel discussions since the first Europe Forum in 1995.

The European Forum Wachau symposium, which has been held annually since 1995 , was founded with the aim of intensifying the European idea. The reason for this was Austria's accession to the European Union after the referendum on June 12, 1994. The venue, Göttweig Abbey in the Wachau , was deliberately chosen to emphasize on the one hand the European political importance of Christianity and on the other hand the importance of being close to the citizens.

The annual event is organized by the Provincial Government of Lower Austria . The forum also works closely with the “Austria Institute for European and Security Policy” and educational institutions. In addition, the European Forum Wachau is supported by sponsors such as Raiffeisen , WKO and others.

The event was extended from 2 to 3 days in 2019. The Europa Forum Wachau was to become an international summit for the future of Europe. For this purpose, citizens were also more directly involved in the political discourse and thus the event should be more interactive and more up-to-date. In the future, citizens should help to shape a common Europe together and for one another. The new salons, the greater involvement of young people, digitization and the pursuit of so-called megatrends should primarily contribute to this.

Salons

With the reorientation of EFW 2019, the concept of so-called salons was introduced. In various cities in Lower Austria, experts and interested parties come together in six so-called salons to discuss current topics. This new concept was introduced in order to get the opinion of the citizens on current European political issues. As a result, a stronger focus was placed on the moods of the citizens, which were then discussed in focus.

Megatrends

The new concept also included the introduction of the focus on so-called megatrends. Each salon focused on a specific megatrend that picks up on a current topic or a development in society. In this way, the association wants to familiarize itself with the megatrends and deal with them more intensively. At the forum, the umbrella term of the megatrend will then be further deepened in its sub-items based on the results of the salons. In 2019, these megatrends were connectivity and health.

history

1995-2004

Six years after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the reunification of Europe, the first discussion event of the Europa-Forum Wachau took place in 1995 in the Benedictine Abbey of Göttweig . Governor Erwin Pröll and former Federal Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel were present for the first ten years . These also took part every year from 1995 to 2004. The aim of the forum is to make a contribution to the European unification process.

With the enlargement of the European Union by ten more member states in 2004, Lower Austria moved into the center of the EU, both politically and geographically. The gradual dismantling of borders with neighboring countries such as the Czech Republic and Slovakia became possible. That is why the state of Lower Austria organized a “three-state day” on May 1, 2004 with its neighbors. The new "European Union of 25" was the main theme of the European Forum, which is taking place for the tenth time this year.

2013

Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger (center) with Prime Minister Ivica Dacic (Serbia), pictured left, and Hashim Thaci (Kosovo), pictured right.
Minister Sebastian Kurz

The Europa-Forum Wachau took place on June 15 and 16, 2013 and dealt with the crisis situation in the EU states at the time. With the motto “Beyond the Crisis - Outlines of a New Europe”, a discussion between several politicians from the Balkans, the EU and Austria was opened. The delicate meeting of the two heads of government of Serbia and Kosovo was particularly important for the then Europe Forum. Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger was responsible for the meeting between Ivica Dacic and Hashim Thaci and made a big step towards the EU with them.

These were Miguel Heart Kestranek , Erwin Pröll , Johannes Hahn and Valdis Dombrovskis attended as guests of honor and held on Saturday their speeches.

2014

On May 17 and 18, 2014 the European Forum Wachau took place under the motto “Democracy in Europe - We have the choice”. The main focus of the discussion in 2014 was the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the question of European security policy.

Well-known guests were again able to be won, including Erwin Pröll , Alfred Gusenbauer , Sebastian Kurz , Johannes Hahn and Michael Spindelegger . The Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić had to cancel his announced visit to the European Forum at short notice due to the flood disaster in Serbia. He was represented by the Serbian ambassador Pero Janković.

2015

Aleksandar Vucic

The theme of the 20th European Forum was "Is Europe reaching its limits? On the role of Europe in the world". The most important speakers at the event included the Georgian Defense Minister Tinatin Khidasheli , EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn , the Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić and Reinhold Mitterlehner .

At the end of the event, Erwin Pröll presented Paul Lendvai with the "Honorary Statuette of Saint Leopold" as thanks for his moderation of the events from the very beginning. In addition, the European State Prize was awarded for the first time during this event .

2016

In 2016 the Europa-Forum Wachau took place from June 11th to 12th. This time the title "Europe - United in prosperity, divided in crises" was chosen. This time too, Paul Lendvai moderated. Among other things, the refugee crisis, the danger of nationalism and populism and Europe's role in the economy were discussed. Personalities from politics, business, culture and the media were invited, such as the Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz, Governor Erwin Pröll, the Bulgarian Foreign Minister Daniel Mitow and many others.

2017

Vice Chancellor Wolfgang Brandstetter with students of the University of Vienna of Communication Studies, who visited the Europa-Forum Wachau 2017 as part of an exercise with Rotraud A. Perner and Friedrich Schipper. In the middle, State Governor Mikl-Leitner and State Councilor Barbara Schwarz.

The theme of the 2017 European Forum was closeness to the citizens in Europe. The four working groups had the topic

  • Security: "The EU global strategy: how can it help the EU to ensure its security?"
  • Regional: "Europe of Diversity and Subsidiarity: Decision-Making Efficient and Close to the Citizen!"
  • Economy: "Between Asia and the USA: how can Europe remain competitive?"
  • Culture: “Is it all culture? Migration, democracy and the rule of law in tension ”.

2018

On June 15 and 16, 2018, the 23rd Europe Forum took place under the general theme of “Doing less more efficiently!” - focus on the essentials as the main theme of the future . There were three working groups with the following topics:

  • European workshop - citizens shape Europe
  • A better Europe with a smaller budget - how does it work?
  • Austrian Presidency of the EU Council 2018: Europe set a major course

The panel discussions revolved around a protective Europe, stability and migration with a special focus on the Balkans and Southeastern Europe . The speakers and guests included Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria, Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz and Lilyana Pavlova , Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. As usual, Paul Lendvai led the program.

2019

European Forum Wachau 2019

From June 13th to 15th, 2019, the 24th Europe Forum took place in the spiritual center of Göttweig Abbey in the Wachau. The whole event was based on the motto Make Europe fit for the future .

The forum offered a platform for networking and exchange between high-ranking EU politicians to discuss topics such as the admission of the Balkan states to the EU, economic development and the future common approach in migration and trade policy, the perspectives and opinions of Involve citizens and build awareness of a strong and united Europe.

The guests of the Europa-Forum Wachau 2019 included personalities from politics, business and culture such as the then incumbent Chancellor Brigitte Bierlein , Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg , EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn , Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, the Italian EU politician Antonio Tajani , the North Macedonian Prime Minister Zoran Zajev , WKO President Harald Mahrer , author Marc Elsberg and futurologist Matthias Horx .

Salons in the process of preparing for EFW'19:

1. Salon - Klosterneuburg Abbey (October 9, 2018): The first salon dealt with the effects of digitization on the political situation under the direction of ORF presenter Bettina Prendergast. For this purpose, 200 guests came together to discuss the topic of technologization: a curse or a blessing for democracy? to discuss. Those in attendance included Fritz Jergitsch (founder of the daily press), Thomas Lampoltshammer (e-governance expert at Danube University Krems) and Krzysztof Pietrzak (cryptography expert at IST Austria)

2nd Salon - Perchtoldsdorf (January 21, 2019): The theme of this salon was the future of the European idea, shaped by the Brexit decision and its consequences for Great Britain and Europe. The guests included State Councilor Martin Eichtinger, Angus Robertso (former parliamentary group leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) in the British Parliament) Gerda Füricht-Fiegl (Head of Political Communication Course, Danube University Krems) Regina Kothmayr (Head of Institutional EU Affairs, Federal Chancellery) Cornelia Primosch (ORF correspondent London (video message)) and Rainer Nowak (editor-in-chief and publisher of the daily newspaper “Die Presse”).

3rd Salon - Casino Baden (March 12, 2019): In March 2019, the third salon took place in Baden under the motto "Branding: The Power of Brands". The possibilities of a successful European brand and their possible influences on European development in terms of economy, tourism and society were discussed here. Noteworthy guests came here again, including Petra Bohuslav (Regional Councilor for Economics, Tourism and Sport), Stefan Szirucsek (Mayor of the City of Baden), Bettina Glatz-Kremsner (Director of Casinos Austria and Austrian Lotteries), Gertraud Schrattenecker (Danube University Krems: Competence area Marketing), Petra Stolba (Managing Director Austria), Gerhard Schilling (Managing Director Almudler).

4th Salon - IMC Krems (May 7th, 2019): In the fourth Salon, the topics of artificial intelligence and robotics were addressed, their effects on the world of work and the development of working methods. For this purpose, the salon worked together with the Lower Austrian Federation of Industry, including the following guests: Michael Altrichter (Chairman of the startup300 supervisory board), Thomas Salzer (President IV Lower Austria), Gerald Steiner (Dean of Danube University Krems), Bettina Paar (Head of Personnel Development, Vienna Airport)

5th Salon - Waidhofen ad Thaya (May 13th, 2019): The Europaforum invited in Waidhofen ad Thaya to discuss the megatrend 'regionality' with regard to reach and potential. In addition, the opportunities and risks for the region in global competition were analyzed. The following guests were present for this purpose: Karl Theodor Trojan (master brewer, Schrems brewery), Bettina Hering (theater director, Salzburg Festival and dramaturge, “Literatur im Nebel”), Christian Hanus (Dean of the Danube University Krems), Alois Huber (managing director Spar) and Ernst Wurz (chairman of the board of the “Waldviertel Akademie” and head of Pollmann Austria).

6th Salon - Laa ad Laya (May 21, 2019): Based on the 30th anniversary of the opening of the Iron Curtain, the focus in this salon was on the design of the common living and economic space. The following guests Eva Rossmann (author and cook), Thomas Pfeffer (Danube University Krems), Wolfgang Brandstetter (Vienna University of Economics and Business) and Radek Chvátal (Primary at the Znojmo hospital) were invited to discuss the topic “The curtain has fallen - successful cross-border commuters” EU Provincial Councilor Martin Eichtinger on the opportunities since the border was opened.

2020

This year's event had to be postponed by one year due to the corona pandemic. All celebrations for the 25th anniversary have therefore been postponed to June 10th to 12th, 2021. Despite the postponement, three of the six planned salons took place this year in preparation for the EFW:

1st Salon - Melk Abbey (November 29, 2019): The EFW invited guests under the topic "Glocalization - Local Roots, Global Success". The following guests discussed to what extent Austria could benefit from compatriots abroad. Martin Eichtinger (Provincial Councilor & President EFW), Abbot Georg Wilfinger (Abbot of Melk Abbey), Patrick Strobl (Mayor of Melk), Petra Schneebauer (Ambassador), Franz Renz (Professor at Leibniz University Hannover & Mars researcher at the NASA / USA), Martin Brem (Global Head of Music Portfolio for Red Bull), Markus Pollmann (Managing Partner of Pollmann International GmbH).

2nd Salon - Sitzenberg - Reidling (January 20th, 2020): In order to clarify how the ever greater metropolitan growth comes about and what potential rural life has, the EFW invited to another salon. This time District Administrator Martin Eichtinger invited the following guests to a discussion: Christoph Weber (Mayor of the Sitzenberg-Reidling community), Rosa Raab (Director of HBLA Sitzenberg), Bruno Haberzettl (freelance draftsman, illustrator and caricaturist for the Kronen Zeitung), Stefan Heiglauer ( Österreichische Post AG, Head of Parcel Austria), Thomas Ratka (Vice-Rector for Teaching and Scientific Further Education at Danube University Krems), Elfriede Öllerer (farmer) and Erich Planitzer (Chairman of “Our Business in Reinsberg”).

3rd Salon - Online (March 4th, 2020): The third Salon was the EFW's first online event. Here, the European enlargement policy was addressed in the area of ​​tension between political interests. The EFW invited discussion mainly from the point of view of bringing Southeastern Europe closer to the EU. The guests included Günther Ofner (Director of the Management Board, Flughafen Wien AG), Barbara Ascher (Vice President of the Lower Austrian Federation of Industries), Claudia Crawford (Konrad Adenauer Foundation Vienna, Head of Multilateral Dialog), Martin Selmayr (Head of the Representation of the European Commission in Austria ), Monika Mott (OeAD, Head of Foreign Locations and Language Department), Hannes Hecher (Managing Director / CEO, Schiebel Electronic Geraete GmbH), Doris Burger (Research Associate and Course Leader - Center for Special Business Administration, Danube University Krems).

In addition, on the occasion of this year's Europe Day (May 9th, 2020), the association organized an online live Europe Day dedicated to young people. Here Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen (Director General for Communication of the European Commission), Margarete Schramböck (Federal Minister for Digitization and Business Location ) and Karoline Edtstadler (Federal Minister for EU and Constitution) interactively discussed the future of the EU. Moderator Silvia Schneider hosted the event.

Youth in the Europa Forum

Foreign Minister Spindelegger (second from left) in 2013 with a school class

For the 10th anniversary of the European Forum Wachau in 2004, a youth plenum was organized by Johanna Mikl-Leitner , who was then acting Provincial Councilor for Social Affairs, Work and Family in Lower Austria. Young people between 18 and 25 years of age from all 25 member states at the time were invited to the 2025 Youth Plenary. The aim was to strengthen the youth's commitment to the topic of Europe and to encourage personal contact.

“Individually we are words, together we are a poem. Europe must not remain a word, Europe must become a poem "

- Erwin Pröll : Anniversary celebration 15th Europa-Forum Wachau.

In 2016, students at the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences developed four different PR concepts for the Europa-Forum Wachau, which related to social media measures and press activities before, during and after the event. The aim was to use technical means to communicate the messages of the Europa Forum more widely. Some measures were taken from the concepts and implemented.

The contents of the Europa-Forum Wachau have also been the subject of a course since 2017 under the direction of Friedrich Schipper and Rotraud A. Perner from the University of Vienna together with Wikimedia Austria, in which the discussed contents are summarized in encyclopedic form during the event in Göttweig, and translations into other languages ​​give this forum the appropriate informative breadth.

With the new turnaround since the beginning of 2019, the focus on youth has also been expanded. Mostly international students were invited to the Europa Forum Wachau with the Erasmus + program. In the first year of the new format, a total of 80 students presented startup pitches for a united Europe at the Young High Flyer Eve (13.06.19). The main prize of an Interrail ticket worth 800 euros went to Rebekka Dober.

"With their ideas, the students have made a strong commitment to a united Europe"

- Provincial Councilor Martin Eichtinger : High Flyer Eve 2019

Another cooperation with the Erasmus + program is planned in order to enable more international students to participate in such events.

digitalization

With the new format, the EFW also agreed to greater digitization. With a new website ( http://www.europaforum.at ), Facebook page ( https://www.facebook.com/europaforumwachau ), and a new corporate design and logo. The EFW has also been on Instagram since April 2020. Under the hashtag #weEFW, the association also calls for posts from interacting EU citizens with which they spread the message of a shared Europe.

literature

  • Europa-Forum Wachau (Ed.): 5 years Europa-Forum Wachau. 1995 to 1999. Editor: Brigitte Karner, 1999
  • Europa-Forum Wachau (Hrsg.): Jubilee Festschrift Europa-Forum Wachau. 10th European Forum Wachau. Focal points, contributions to the discussion and quotations from the years 1999 to 2003. Editor: Brigitte Karner, 2004
  • Europa-Forum Wachau (Hrsg.): Jubilee commemoration 15th Europa-Forum Wachau. Focal points, contributions to discussions and photo documents from the years 2004 to 2009. Scientific advice and preparation of the Festschrift text: AIES - Austria Institute for European and Security Policy, Maria Enzersdorf 2010

Web links

Commons : Europa-Forum Wachau  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ a b c d New format presented for the European Forum Wachau. January 17, 2019, accessed June 13, 2020 .
  2. ↑ 25th European Forum Wachau will be postponed to 2021. April 2, 2020, accessed April 2, 2020 .
  3. ↑ Europa-Forum Wachau (Ed.): 5 years Europa-Forum Wachau. 1995 to 1999. Editor: Brigitte Karner, 1999, p. 15
  4. ↑ Lendvai: "Curtains stayed in my head" from June 14, 2015, accessed on April 28, 2017, http://noe.orf.at/radio/stories/2716045/
  5. ↑ Europa-Forum Wachau 2016 ( Memento from 23 August 2017 in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ a b Europa-Forum Wachau (Ed.): 5 years Europa-Forum Wachau. 1995 to 1999. Editor: Brigitte Karner, 1999
  7. ↑ Europa-Forum Wachau: Sponsors ( Memento from August 30, 2017 in the Internet Archive )
  8. ↑ Europa-Forum Wachau (ed.): Jubilee festival publication Europa-Forum Wachau. 10th European Forum Wachau. Focal points, contributions to the discussion and quotations from the years 1999 to 2003. Editor: Brigitte Karner, 2004
  9. ↑ Margaretha Kopeinig: '' Delicate meeting of the Balkan politicians. Spindelegger brings Serbs and Kosovars together at the Europe Forum in Göttweig. '' Courier dated June 16, 2013, accessed April 28, 2017.
  10. ^ H. Bütler: " Searching for Answers in the Ukraine Crisis. Notes from the Europa-Forum Wachau " NZZ of May 21, 2014
  11. ↑ " Plans for Europe's future. " ORF from May 18, 2015
  12. ↑ 20th European Forum: "Is Europe reaching its limits? On the role of Europe in the world" ( Memento from September 3, 2017 in the Internet Archive )
  13. ^ Austrian provincial government, press release April 14, 2015
  14. ↑ First award of the European State Prize of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in three categories.
  15. ↑ Press release 2016
  16. ↑ The refugee problem is the acid test for the EU
  17. ↑ Press release
  18. ↑ Europa-Forum Wachau: " Citizenship Proximity in Europe ( Memento of August 29, 2017 in the Internet Archive )", accessed on April 28, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Doing less more efficiently!" - Focus on the essentials as the main theme of the future of Europe - Europa-Forum Wachau ( Memento from August 29, 2017 in the Internet Archive ). Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  20. ↑ a b Europa-Forum Wachau 2019. Retrieved on April 24, 2020 .
  21. ^ Europa-Forum Wachau gathered top politicians. June 15, 2019, accessed April 24, 2020 .
  22. ↑ Second Salon 2019 EFW website of the Europa Forum Wachau. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  23. ↑ Third Salon EFW 2019 website of the Europa Forum Wachau. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
  24. ↑ Fourth Salon EFW 2019 Website from the Office of the Lower Austrian State Government, accessed on June 15, 2020.
  25. ↑ Fifth Salon EFW 2019 Website from the Office of the Lower Austrian State Government, accessed on June 15, 2020.
  26. ↑ Sixth Salon EFW 2019 Website from the Office of the Lower Austrian State Government, accessed on June 15, 2020.
  27. ^ First Salon EFW 2020 website of the Europa Forum Wachau. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  28. ↑ Second Salon EFW 2020 website of the Europa Forum Wachau. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  29. ↑ Third Salon EFW 2020 website of the Europa Forum Wachau. Retrieved June 14, 2020.
  30. ^ First online live Europe Day website from the Office of the Lower Austrian Provincial Government, accessed on June 15, 2020.
  31. ↑ Europa-Forum Wachau (ed.): Jubilee festival publication Europa-Forum Wachau. 10th European Forum Wachau. Focal points, contributions to the discussion and quotations from the years 1999 to 2003. Editor: Brigitte Karner, 2004, p. 29
  32. ↑ https://www.fhstp.ac.at/de/newsroom/news/europa-forum-wachau-2016
  33. ↑ https://www.fhstp.ac.at/de/newsroom/news/pr-konzept-fuer-europa-forum-wachau-1
  34. ↑ Wikiversity course at the University of Vienna: Historical Communication 2017
  35. ^ Event Young High Flyer Eve 2019 Website of the Europa-Forum Wachau. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  36. ↑ Young Europeans were the focus of the 24th EFW website of the Lower Austrian state government. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  37. ↑ #WeEFW website of the Europa Forum Wachau. Retrieved June 17, 2020.