Moderation during the Day

Eveline Beer, Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business

Bernd Winter, Spokesperson, Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB-Holding AG)

Opening of the first day of the 18. Vienna Congress com·sult 2021
Welcoming and Opening Words

Dan Shechtman, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Thomas Szekeres, President of the Austrian Medical Association and the Medical Association of Vienna

Alfred Harl, Chairman of the Professional Association of Management Consultancy, Accounting and IT, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber

David Ungar-Klein, Initiator, Vienna Congress com·sult

The focus is the economic challenges of the pandemic. The participating national and international experts will primarily discuss the consequences and perspectives of the economic crisis for Europe – and what needs to be done to ensure that Europe’s economy is not the biggest loser from the Corona crisis.

Introductory notes | Virus, world and economy
While the economic engine is starting up again in China, massive economic upheavals are to be expected in Europe due to the extended lockdowns, despite state aid. What are the major lines of development for the global economy after the crisis? How can Europe gain momentum? What measures does the location need to ensure competitiveness and jobs in the long term? Which potentials do digitalization and climate protection offer Europe for a comeback?

Introductory note | Iain Begg, Professorial Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Dahrendorf Forum at the European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science

Introductory note | Tibor Szanyi, former Member of the European Parliament

Introductory note | Bernhard Felderer, former President of the Austrian Fiscal Advisory Council

Introductory note | Sebastian Kummer, Head of the Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business

Panel | How will the global economy look like after Corona?

What kind of economic policy priorities should Europe set? How can new growth and climate protection be better reconciled? How can a new debt crisis be avoided? In which areas – like broadband and 5G – does the European infrastructure have to be made fit for new opportunities? What can Europe expect from the new US administration – and what not?

Moderation: Erhard Busek – Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe; former Vice-Chancellor, Republic of Austria

Panelists:
Iain Begg – Professorial Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Dahrendorf Forum at the European Institute, London School of Economics and Political Science
Bernhard Felderer – former President of the Austrian Fiscal Advisory Council
Sebastian Kummer – Head of the Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business
Tibor Szanyi – former Member of the European Parliament

Break

The working group of the 18th Vienna Congress 2021 on the subject of “Back to the Future” has a comprehensive focus on the subject of health next to the focus topics digitalisation, climate change and regions. The Vienna Congress will therefore put the Covid-19 vaccination and therapies in the centre of attention in a focus topic on Health under the patronage of the Austrian Medical Chamber. National and international experts clarify what we need to learn from the corona crisis for the future and how health systems can be made fit for pandemics. The importance of the medical profession and health infrastructures are just as important as the perspectives of medical science and research.

Introductory notes | Sciences versus Covid-19
With the rapid development of Covid-19 vaccines, science and research have impressively demonstrated their extraordinary problem-solving and performance capabilities for our entire world. Against this background, international experts explain the medical and social perspectives of the Covid-19 vaccination.

Introductory note | Tim Hunt, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine

Introductory note | Dan Shechtman, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Introductory note | Kurt Wüthrich, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Panel | The fight against Covid-19 and the future of science

What does vaccination mean for health, society, the economy and the future of science and research? What role do medical experts play in politics and society? Is politics “scientifically” – and how do you deal with criticism and conspiracy theories?

Moderation: Sierd Cloetingh – President Academia Europaea

Panelists:
Tim Hunt – Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine
Dan Shechtman – Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
Kurt Wüthrich – Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Break

„Golden Arrow“ Lifetime Achievement Award 2021 Ceremony
The Lifetime Achievement Award „Golden Arrow“ is annually granted to people for realizing extraordinary visionary ideas in an exceptional manner, for making the impossible possible.

Opening | Christian Weissenburger, Head of Department, Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology of the Republic of Austria

The jury decision | David Ungar-Klein, Initiator, Vienna Congress com·sult

Laudatory speech | President Václav Klaus, former President of the Czech Republic

Laudatory speech | Dan Shechtman, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Laudatory speech | Leonid Eidelman, former President of the World Medical Association (WMA) and of the Israeli Medical Association (IMA)

Laudatory speech | Thomas Szekeres, President of the Austrian Medical Association and the Medical Association of Vienna

Presentation of the Golden Arrow 2021 winners

Break

Introductory notes | Testing, vaccination, therapy
The working group of the 18th Vienna Congress discusses health policy strategies in an international comparison. Experts and decision-makers analyze the success factors “testing, vaccination, therapy” with a view to previous experience and the further development of the pandemic.

Introductory note | Leonid Eidelman, former President of the World Medical Association (WMA) and of the Israeli Medical Association (IMA)

Introductory note | Otmar Kloiber, Secretary-General of the World Medical Association (WMA)

Introductory note | Stephan Ludwig, Institute of Molecular Virology, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster

Introductory note | Rolf Zinkernagel, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine

Introductory note | David Barbe, President of the World Medical Association (WMA)

Introductory note | Herwig Lindner, President Medical Association of Styria

Panel | How to fight Covid-19 in a better way?
Who can do it better – and for how much longer?

Moderation: Thomas Szekeres – President of the Austrian Medical Association and the Medical Association of Vienna

Panelists:
David Barbe – President of the World Medical Association (WMA)
Leonid Eidelman – former President of the World Medical Association (WMA) and of the Israeli Medical Association (IMA)
Otmar Kloiber – Secretary-General of the World Medical Association (WMA)
Stephan Ludwig – Institute of Molecular Virology, Center for Molecular Biology of Inflammation, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
Rolf Zinkernagel – Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine

Moderation during the Day

Eveline Beer, Institute for Transport and Logistics Management, Vienna University of Economics and Business

Bernd Winter, Spokesperson, Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB-Holding AG)

Opening of the second day 18. Vienna Congress com·sult 2021
Welcoming and Opening Words

Claudia Mischensky, Vice Secretary General, Federation of Austrian Industries

Elisabeth Köstinger, Federal Minister for Agriculture, Regions and Tourism

David Ungar-Klein, Initiator, Vienna Congress com·sult

The Corona crisis has temporarily pushed the issue of climate protection off the political agenda. How can the topic of climate be firmly anchored on the agenda? What economic opportunities do air conditioning technologies offer? Which chances does automation of mobility offer for a better protection of our climate. What should the climate policy priorities for the next few years be? The working group of the 18th Vienna Congress 2021 on the subject of “Back to the future” has a comprehensive focus on the topic of future and our climate.

Introductory notes | Research for the future and climate
The development of corona vaccines has made a raised public awareness on the importance of research and innovation for our future. New technologies and developments are crucial for success, like developments that are decisive for success, such as green hydrogen, 5G or automated mobility. Digitization poses new challenges, but also opens up many new opportunities for climate protection. International scientists and experts show how we can use research and innovation in the best possible way for the future and the climate.

Introductory note | Maximilian Scherr, Associate Director, Practice Leader Strategy & Innovation Austria, Arthur D. Little Austria

Introductory note | Dan Shechtman, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Introductory note | Sierd Cloetingh, President of the Academia Europaea

Introductory note | Susan Trumbore, Recipient of the Balzan Prize 2020; Director and Scientific Member at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry

Introductory note | Theresia Vogel, Managing Director for the Climate and Energy Fund, Vienna

Panel | Research, Politics and Climate Protection

Economic and ecological development can no longer be thought of as opposites. The importance of research and politics for climate protection and the future has continued to grow. What does this mean for research policy – and for policy that uses research results?

Moderation: Sierd Cloetingh – President of the Academia Europaea

Panelists:
Maximilian Scherr – Associate Director, Practice Leader Strategy & Innovation Austria, Arthur D. Little Austria
Dan Shechtman – Nobel Laureate in Chemistry
Tibor Szanyi – former Member of European Parliament
Susan Trumbore – Recipient of the Balzan Prize 2020; Director and Scientific Member at the Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry
Theresia Vogel – Managing Director for the Climate and Energy Fund, Vienna

Break

The working group of the 18th Vienna Congress 2021 on the subject of “Back to the Future” has a comprehensive focus on the subject of democracy and the rule of law. Given the background of the temporary restriction of freedom and fundamental rights by implementing lockdowns, decision-makers from politics and business are discussing whether and how liberal democracies will change as a result of the Corona crisis.

Introductory notes | From the health crisis to the democratic crisis?
The restrictions on fundamental rights and freedom that took place in the course of combating the Covid 19 pandemic are temporary, but are subject to considerable criticism. How do democracy and the rule of law change through the crisis? Do corona restrictions lead to new authoritarianism? Are authoritarian states more successful in fighting pandemics?

Introductory note | Ron Prosor, Head of the Abba Eban institute for International Diplomacy; Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.N and the U.K.  

Introductory note | Lukas Mandl, Member of the European Parliament

Introductory note | Miriam Lexmann, Member of the European Parliament

Introductory note | Tzipi Livni, former Deputy Prime Minister; former Minister of Justice; former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel

Introductory note | President Václav Klaus, former President of the Czech Republic

Panel | Does our liberal democracy mutate?

The much-cited „division of society“ is further encouraged by the debate about corona measures. Proponents of effective restrictions to combat the pandemic are opposed to “concerned citizens”, but also to political extremists. Will Corona lead to greater political polarization and strengthen the margins? Do the understanding and practice of democratic coexistence also mutate through Corona? How can democracy and the rule of law be strengthened after the Corona crisis? Are digitalization and social media boon or bane for the democratic discourse?

Moderation: Erhard Busek – Chairman of the Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe; former Vice-Chancellor, Republic of Austria

Panelists:
President Václav Klaus – former President of the Czech Republic
Miriam Lexmann – Member of the European Parliament
Lukas Mandl – Member of the European Parliament
Ron Prosor – Head of the Abba Eban institute for International Diplomacy; Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.N and the U.K.  

Break

More than ever, innovative strength is the key to the successful development of locations. The global competition for innovation is getting tougher and more important, for successful digital transformation. For Europe in particular, there are numerous new challenges in competition with the USA and China. The working group of the 18th Vienna Congress 2021 on the subject of “Back to the Future” has a comprehensive focus on the subject of innovation.

Introductory notes | What strengthens our innovative strength?
The sustainable strengthening of innovative strength requires new strategies and approaches. New innovations in the area of technologies for climate protection, mobility of the future, and digitalization are key success factors for location policies.

A particularly important key to innovation is digital transformation with a variety of strategic fields of action, such as framework conditions for artificial intelligence, expanded digital infrastructure and sufficient IT specialists. Based on their professional experience, top-class experts investigate what makes locations innovative and digitally successful.

Introductory note | Karim Taga, Managing Partner, Global Practice Leader TIME, Arthur D. Little Austria

Introductory note | Karlheinz Brandenburg, „Father“ of MP3, Founder and Managing Director of Brandenburg Ventures GmbH, Berlin

Introductory note | Daniel Rückert, Humboldt Professor for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Medicine and Healthcare at the Technical University of Munich; Professor at Imperial College London

Introductory note | Ami Appelbaum, Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy and Industry of the State of Israel; Chairman of the Board, Israel Innovation Authority

Panel | Priorities for Innovation 2021

Which location-political priorities result from the challenges of increased innovation and strategic digitization? Which specific approaches are to be recommended – and which mistakes should be avoided? What are the necessary innovations required in the area of technologies for climate protection, mobility of the future, Medicine and Healthcare, and digitalization and others? How can Europe position itself better in the global competition for innovation and with that also contribute to climate protection? How can we improve the educational opportunities specifically?

Moderation: Oskar Mencer – Member of Academia Europaea, CEO of Maxeler Technologies, Professor of Practice, Enterprise Champion, Imperial College London and Guest Lecturer at Stanford University

Panelists:
Ami Appelbaum – Chief Scientist, Ministry of Economy and Industry of the State of Israel; Chairman of the Board, Israel Innovation Authority
Karlheinz Brandenburg – „Father of MP3″, Founder and Managing Director of Brandenburg Ventures GmbH, Berlin
Daniel Rückert – Humboldt Professor for Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Medicine and Healthcare at the Technical University of Munich; Professor at Imperial College London
Karim Taga – Managing Partner, Global Practice Leader TIME, Arthur D. Little Austria

Break

The corona crisis hit respective regions differently. The competition for growth and prosperity quickly resumes. The working group of the 18th Vienna Congress 2021 on the subject of “Back to the Future” with a comprehensive focus on the subject of modern regional development will discuss which regional success strategies have a future.

Introductory notes | Modern Development- Strong Regions
An important success factor for regional success strategies is the infrastructure expansion. It encompasses classic transport infrastructure as well as the provision of broadband and 5G technology, new technologies for climate protection, effective cybersecurity, safety & security research. Given this background, international experts discuss regional development potentials and challenges in specific regions of Europe.

Introductory note | Majlinda Bregu, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council

Introductory note | Josef Doppelbauer, Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA)

Introductory note | Merle Maigre, Senior Expert on Cyber Security at e-Governance Academy and former Director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence

Introductory note | Oskar Mencer, Member of Academia Europaea, CEO of Maxeler Technologies, Professor of Practice, Enterprise Champion, Imperial College London and Guest Lecturer at Stanford University

Introductory note | Tibor Szanyi, former Member of European Parliament

Introductory note | Andreas Reichhardt, Head of Directorate General IV – Telecommunications, Postal Services and Mining, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Regions and Tourism, Republic of Austria

Panel | Success factors in regional development

What do regions need for successful development? How can infrastructure development be accelerated and financed? Where do we need more fair play between urban and rural regions? How does the future of the (automated) mobility on the countryside look like? How must broadband and 5G infrastructures be further developed in a targeted manner and used for an infrastructural quantum leap? National versus European Responsibilities? How to integrate new technologies for climate protection in rural regions?

Moderation: Hedvig Morvai – Director, Strategy and Europe at ERSTE Foundation;
former Executive Director at European Fund for the Balkans

Panelists:
Merle Maigre – Senior Expert on Cyber Security at e-Governance Academy and former Director of the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence
Josef Doppelbauer – Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA)
Oskar Mencer – Member of Academia Europaea, CEO of Maxeler Technologies, Professor of Practice, Enterprise Champion, Imperial College London and Guest Lecturer at Stanford University
Tibor Szanyi – former Member of European Parliament