Starting Monday, August 24, the Tyrolean village of Alpbach will once again transform into a place of dialogue, reflection, and action. Under the motto "How Europe Wins," more than 4,000 participants from around the world will attend the 82nd European Forum Alpbach (EFA) until September 4th. This year's focus will be on questions concerning Europe's capacity to act, its competitiveness, its sovereignty, and its geopolitical role. In addition to numerous prominent figures from politics, business, science, and culture, Austria's Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, along with four other heads of state, will be visiting the Forum.
As has been the tradition since 1945, the EFA scholarship holders will begin the event. During the first week, the so-called "Academy Days", a total of around 700 young people from 63 countries will come together. Almost ten times that number applied for one of the coveted places and went through a comprehensive selection process.
Next Generation of Confident Europeans
"At the EFA, we don't just talk about the future of Europe. Here the future is present, it has a say and shapes the Forum. Our aim is to empower and connect the next generation of confident Europeans," emphasizes EFA President Othmar Karas, highlighting the networking aspect of Alpbach. This extends "across national borders, generations, and disciplines. That's what makes the EFA so unique and effective," Karas adds.
Euregio Days from August 27-30
Towards the end of the first EFA week, the Euregio Days (August 27-30) will focus on the role and importance of regions for the success of Europe. Before the second week opens on Sunday, August 30, with former Italian Prime Minister and EU reform expert Enrico Letta, the traditional Tyrol Day with the three provincial governors from the Euregio Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino – Anton Mattle, Arno Kompatscher and Maurizio Fugatti – forms the link between regional and international affairs.
Summit of Heads of State Including Youth Dialogue
The extent to which the EFA maintains its position as a forum for exchange beyond traditional formats, even in its ninth decade, is evident not only in the sheer number of individual programme items — a good 250 sessions in 12 days — but also in several highlights on the calendar. Perhaps the most prominent: Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen will use a meeting with his counterparts from Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, and Belgium on September 2 for joint consultations in Alpbach, followed by a youth dialogue.
"EFA26 should not only be an unforgettable experience for the participants. We also want to be measured by results and concrete measures," promises Karas ahead of his second forum as EFA President. The foundation for the "How Europe Wins" action plan will be laid by representatives of "Next Generation Europe" in Alpbach starting next Monday.
Speaking of the next generation, the EFA mobility partner ÖBB will demonstrate what this could look like in public transport at the forum. For the first time in Austria, an autonomous bus will be used in Alpbach.
While tickets for the first week have been sold out for some time, those who decide to attend at the last minute can still purchase tickets for the Conference Days, which begin on August 30. Attendance at the Euregio Days is free. All details and the complete, up-to-date programme can be found at www.alpbach.org.
For media enquiries and further information please contact:
Nikola Donig
Secretary General & Managing Director
E-mail: Nikola.donig@alpbach.org
Tel.: +43 676 3359031
Melissa Német
Media Relations & Publications Manager
E-mail: presse@alpbach.org
Tel.: +43 676 836 24-235