Perspectives

Despite current problems and controversial decisions, we believe that European Integration is necessary and essential if Europe wants to continue to play an important role in a globalised world. We believe that critical debates between policy makers, scientists, politicians, artists and members of the civil society support the practical implementation of European cooperation.

Even though in the past the European Union has hardly played a major role in the perception of most of its citizens, it has an enormous influence on our daily lives. The current political and economic developments are among the most serious challenges of our time.

The Alpbach Perspectives 2013 will therefore deal with the development of a sustainable European social and economic model. The plenary and breakout sessions will discuss topics such as European values, youth unemployment, the future of the welfare state, education, innovation, as well as the difficult balancing act between democracy and efficiency and the tensions between austerity programmes and the promotion of growth.