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International voices such as Ayaan Hirsi Ali and Anne Applebaum are expected 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 1000 participants are expected at the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF) in Interlaken on Thursday and Friday and 60 guests will speak at events.
Federal President Ignazio Cassis opened the SEF with a speech. The Swiss economy operates on the world stage, so geopolitics is not only something for great powers, but a decisive factor for companies. With the fall of the wall between the two Germanys, a time of hope has heralded. However, the new supposed security has tempted one to underestimate one’s own vulnerability. First the coronavirus pandemic, then Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine would have thrown back an epoch of hope.
This war demands different answers. The political consists of “cooperative neutrality”, which fully corresponds to Swiss values. Cassis explained that Switzerland could not remain indifferent to the brutal violation of fundamental rights.
What’s the matter?
The Swiss Economic Forum is traditionally much more nationally oriented and focuses on entrepreneurship. Nevertheless, global political events surrounding the Ukraine war will also dominate here.
Swiss entrepreneurs report problems in their supply chains, in the procurement of raw materials and increased prices.
Legend:
The hall was already full last year: the organizers are again expecting around 1000 participants for this year’s edition.
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Under the motto “Reaching out”, the participants should talk about possible solutions.
In Interlaken, young entrepreneurs can also hope for the Swiss Economic Award, which will be presented on Friday morning 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 event will be opened on Thursday at 1.40 p.m. by Federal President Ignazio Cassis.
Where can it be seen?
SRF reports from Interlaken on its digital channels, on the radio (Echo der Zeit, Rendez-vous) and on TV (Tagesschau, SRF Börse).
In addition, the most important panels will be broadcast in several live broadcasts and around 20 top-class guests will provide information in interviews with Reto Lipp.
The shows are on
- Thursday from 1:25 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on
- Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. and from 1:45 p.m. to 3:55 p.m
on the website and in the app of SRF News and will be broadcast on SRF info.