Enough with the horror scenarios and grim predictions for the future: How can we make the world safer and more liveable? At the invitation of the IFSH, scholars, political decision makers and disseminators discussed this question in Hamburg last November.
We’ve never been better off than we are today. Our lives are healthier, longer and happier than those of the previous generation, and yet we look to the future in fear. Populists are gaining ground and challenging liberal western democracies. The achievements of civilisation and democracy long considered irrevocable—freedom of expression, the separation of powers, free trade—are now beginning to falter. Key players in world politics are disregarding common rules, diplomacy and multilateralism, and are returning instead to power politics. And with the effects of climate change becoming ever more obvious, we are forced to act.
So far, so... not so good. But laying out grim prognoses for the future and complaining about our problems won’t solve them. The future can’t be stopped, but it can be actively shaped. And challenges offer opportunities and possibilities as well.
Interdisciplinary approach
At the invitation of the IFSH, international experts, decision makers and disseminators came together in Hamburg between 20-22 November 2019 to discuss potential answers and solutions to the most pressing issues of our future: Which Europe do we want to live in? What will the future world order look like? With what weapons will future wars be fought? How do we deal with the challenges of climate change and migration?
Politics and scholarship face the music
The Sessions also hosted an interesting crossover event for the first time. On the evening of the first day of the conference, participants from academia and politics met to discuss music. Political decision makers, peace researchers and other scholars sat down with musicians and managers of well-known bands (including Depeche Mode and Kraftwerk) in the bunker at Feldstraße to discuss the music of tomorrow. There was also live music and a DJ.
Earlier that day, Hamburg’s Second Mayor Katharina Fegebank opened the conference at the Patriotische Gesellschaft.
Niels Annen, Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office, delivered the opening speech on the first day of the conference. In attendance were high-level NATO representatives, political consultants, leading scholars from various disciplines, representatives from influential think tanks and international media.
For more information, as well as photos and videos from the conference, click here.