Economic Symposium

The Alpbach Economic Symposium will center on the issue of Europe s economic and political future. A dynamic analysis of the economic and political relations of Europe on the one hand and the U.S., China and Russia on the other hand will create the backdrop for the conference. How can Europe become a global economic player? What is Europe s contribution to a global financial architecture for the future? What role do nation-states play in the economic system? And how can a united Europe react to the mounting challenges of energy and environment politics, both on a domestic and external level?

Based on this assessment, there will be a strong focus on the questions of widening and deepening in European integration. Has the European model of integration reached a crossroads? Will supranationality prevail - or will we see a renaissance of nationalism? Is the European peace project geographically limited? And where is Turkey heading? The 2009 Alpbach Economic Symposium will put these and more questions at the centre of its discussions.