The Purpose of Alpbach
The European Forum Alpbach unites scholars, scientists, policymakers, business leaders, and civil society actors with young people from Europe and beyond to shape a stronger Europe for the good of all.
When the European Forum Alpbach was founded in 1945, it was created a dream about the future of Europe.
The Forum’s initiators agreed wholeheartedly on the foundations of their dream: the fight against Nazism and Communism, and the dream of democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity, as well as the nurturing of science and education. They agreed to gather in Alpbach each year for a few weeks to discuss their shared vision and, if they reached consensus, turn it into reality.
However, as often happens, the founders discovered that in pursuing a common dream, their perspectives on how to achieve it — both in terms of substance and approach — diverged. Yet, from these discussions emerged a platform and think tank, bringing together European intellectuals and leaders who would go on to profoundly shape Europe in the years to come. The key dividing line was not between left and right, but between liberal and anti-liberal ideologies.
The following decades saw the European integration project evolve in ways that surpassed even the founders’ expectations, both politically and economically. Several years after the first Forum Alpbach meeting, in 1958, six countries established the European Economic Community, aiming to create a common European market. By 1992, a new treaty paved the way for the European Economic and Monetary Union, characterized by deepening political integration. By the late 2000s, the European Union had expanded to 28 countries, including 11 from the former communist bloc — an achievement that exceeded the dreams of any of the Forum’s founders.
Today, the EU is shrinking, and with it, Europe’s economic power. Europe's position as a major global influence is increasingly at risk.
Europe’s role in world history was by no means flawless; it ranged from aggressive to destructive, from brutal to oppressive. Rare were the times when Europe assumed a role that brought peace and prosperity to other parts of the world. Because of its history, the European Union had never attempted to achieve military power, however the rapid development of its economic strength gave it a chance to defend its values of democracy, rule of law and a socially oriented market economy on the world stage.
The European Forum Alpbach was founded with a dream about the future of Europe in 1945. Thus, as Europe’s value to the world is eroding, we must find the power and the courage to reverse these processes. During the past 75 years Europe has demonstrated to the world that the pursuit of peace, democracy and the creation of a strong civil society, in combination with strong economic and scientific performance, can create something valuable, not only for Europe but for the entire world.
Still today, we ought to be worried about Europe’s future. Twenty years ago the European Union was growing and so was Europe’s economic position in the world. Today the EU is shrinking and so is Europe’s economic power. For the first time our Union has lost a member, our economic strength seems to be fading away, our defence systems appear weak, and political tensions are rapidly on the rise. In short, Europe’s position as a strong influencer in the world is at risk. Europe is about to lose its global scientific and economic edge in a rapid manner, while the values of its societal strengths diminish.
With a diverse, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary community, the EFA influences key actors throughout the European continent to facilitate their learning and decisions.
In this context, the European Forum Alpbach is as important for Europe today as it was in 1945.
- It brings together young people from Europe and from all over the world with the most innovative minds from politics, business, civil society, culture, and science to drive ideas for a strong and democratic Europe. With this diverse, intergenerational, and interdisciplinary community, the Forum influences key actors throughout the European continent to facilitate their learning and decisions.
- The EFA offers transformational encounters between unlikely actors to create action that allows Europe to strengthen its role in the world as a responsible force for good. A leading role that benefits not only our continent but also the world, fostering shared prosperity and peace. A leading role that creates an environment where science and business can thrive, allowing Europe to regain equal footing with other geopolitical actors, while also promoting and protecting civil society and the values we stand for.
- Europe needs to further align its legal frameworks, rules and regulations as well as its political institutions to preserve the promise of open borders, cooperation and a good life for all.