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International voices such as Anne Applebaum and Ayaan Hirsi Ali will speak at the two-day business meeting.
The World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos has hardly closed its doors when the next economic meeting begins. Around 1,000 guests will take part in the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF) in Interlaken on Thursday and Friday, and 60 personalities will speak at events.
Opening by Federal President Ignazio Cassis
The Swiss economy operates on the world stage, so geopolitics is not only something for great powers, but a decisive factor for companies, said Swiss President Ignazio Cassis in his opening speech. However, the new supposed security after the fall of the wall tempted one to underestimate one’s own vulnerability: first the pandemic, then Russia’s war against Ukraine would have thrown back an epoch of hope.
This war demands different answers. The political consists of the “cooperative neutrality”, which fully corresponds to the Swiss values, explained Cassis. Switzerland cannot remain indifferent to violations of fundamental rights.
Cassis outlined three conceivable scenarios from this war: A possible sectoral globalization with blocks and regional closed circuits. Or the reversal of hyperglobalization with a renationalization of system-critical resources. And as a third scenario, a focused multilateralism, which Cassis advocates. This would solve problems such as climate, pandemics and poverty, respond to crises, trade blockades, energy supply or mass migration.
SEF motto “Reaching out”
The Swiss Economic Forum traditionally has a more national focus and focuses on entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, the Ukraine war also dominates here. Swiss companies are reporting problems in the supply chains and increased prices.
Legend:
The hall was already full last year: the organizers are again expecting around 1,000 participants for this year’s edition.
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Under the motto “Reaching out”, the participants should talk about possible solutions. In addition, young entrepreneurs can hope for the Swiss Economic Award, which will be presented on Friday at 11:15 a.m.
Who performs?
In addition to hundreds of Swiss company representatives, some international guests are also present this year, including:
| Anne Applebaum | Historian and journalist, USA | Thursday, 2:00 p.m |
| Christiana Figueres | Former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | Thu, 5:10 p.m |
| Ayaan Hirsi Ali | Dutch-American politician and women’s rights activist of Somali origin | Fri, 8:35 a.m |
| Kevin Rudd | Former Prime Minister of Australia | Fri, 10:50 a.m |
| Melati Wijsen | Young Indonesian climate activist | Fri, 2:25 p.m |
| Friedrich Merz | Chairman of the CDU, Germany | Fri, 2:50 p.m |
Legend:
Ayaan Hirsi Ali has made a name for herself as a women’s rights activist and critic of Islamism and is known for her controversial speeches.
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The SEF at SRF
SRF reports from Interlaken on its digital channels, on the radio (Echo der Zeit, Rendez-vous) and on television (Tagesschau, SRF Börse). In addition, the most important panels will be broadcast in several live broadcasts. 20 top-class guests provide information in interviews with Reto Lipp.
The live broadcast on SRF info, on srf.ch and in the SRF News App will be broadcast on Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. and from 1:55 p.m. to 3:55 p.m.