Tiergarten Conference 2022: Zeitenwende – Into a new era

Opening speech Lars Klingbeil, Party Chairman of the SPD

A leading power in Europe, a stronger Bundeswehr and fair alliances with partners worldwide. Is this German foreign policy following a new era? After the Russian attack on Ukraine, the situation for Germany and Europe has changed significantly - both internally and in foreign affairs. SPD party chairman Lars Klingbeil provides answers to these questions in his keynote speech at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation's Tiergarten Conference 2022. He emphasizes that it is necessary to reduce dependencies on autocracies such as Russia, but also China, in the long term and to become European sovereign. In the long term, Klingbeil says, this will only succeed if we also continue to drive forward the transformation toward a climate-neutral economy. He admits to mistakes in dealing with Russia and stresses that the EU should become a powerhouse in global politics and help shape a rules-based order. The close transatlantic alliance is one basis of this order. But it should also be complemented by a series of global partnerships and alliances to shape on an equal footing with emerging states.

Welcome speech Sabine Fandrych, Executive Member of the Board of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

Russia's war of aggression is turning the European security order upside down. Security, peace and freedom in Europe have to be reconsidered and simultaneously defended. What does a new security order in Europe look like? How can we strengthen Europe as a geopolitical player and assert European values in close cooperation with our partners? We want to discuss these and other questions at the Tiergarten Conference 2022 "Zeitenwende: Into a New Era" on 21 June 2022 in the premises of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

Keynote Christine Lambrecht, German Federal Minister of Defense

The Russian attack on Ukraine has brought the EU closer together. Tough sanctions packages and rapid non-bureaucratic support for the government in Kiev were implemented. But the EU's weakness in security policy became clearly visible. How can the Union learn the right lessons from this crisis? How do we strengthen the EU's ability to act and its sovereignty externally?

What are the central guidelines for social democracy in changing times?

Discussion with: Lars Klingbeil, Party Chairman of the SPD Nathalie Tocci, Director Istituto Affari Internazionali Carlo Masala, Professor for International Politics, University of the German Federal Armed Forces, Munich

Moderation: Nana Brink, Journalist

The Russian attack on Ukraine has brought the EU closer together. Tough sanctions packages and rapid non-bureaucratic support for the government in Kiev were implemented. But the EU's weakness in security policy became clearly visible. How can the Union learn the right lessons from this crisis? How do we strengthen the EU's ability to act and its sovereignty externally?

Discussion with: Christine Lambrecht, German Federal Minister of Defense Jana Puglierin, Head of European Council on Foreign Relations Berlin Katarina Barley, Vice President of the European Parliament Claudia Major, Research Group Head Foundation for Political Science and Politics

Moderation: Christos Katsioulis, FES Vienna

The ecological transformation of Europe with good jobs and an innovative economy is a basis for more cohesion and common strength for Europe. Functioning welfare states, strong and well-fortified democracies and a secure cyberspace are the hallmark of Europe. How can this be made secure in an increasingly conflict-ridden world?

Discussion with: Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice President for a European Green Deal (transformation, socially just change) Maja Göpel, Political Economist, Expert on sustainability policy and transformation research Matthias Miersch, Deputy Chairman of the SPD parliamentary group

Moderation: Julia Bläsius, FES Berlin

Keynote Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Co-operation and Development

The turn of the times is not just a European phenomenon. Food speculation and rising energy prices are directly affecting the global South. But trust in European solidarity has dwindled, because in many of these countries the West stands for double standards and the one-sided pursuit of interests. How can the EU, how can Germany, forge fair alliances and initiate a new form of globalized cooperation?

The turn of the times is not just a European phenomenon. Food speculation and rising energy prices are directly affecting the global South. But trust in European solidarity has dwindled, because in many of these countries the West stands for double standards and the one-sided pursuit of interests. How can the EU, how can Germany, forge fair alliances and initiate a new form of globalized cooperation?

Discussion with: Svenja Schulze, Federal Minister for Economic Co-operation and Development
Vahini Naidu, Trade and Development Coordinator,
South Centre. South Africa
Mikko Huotari, Head of Mercator Institute for China Studies
Marcel Fratzscher, Head of German Institute for Economic Research

Moderation: Valeska Hesse, FES Latin America

The changing times are ringing in a new, uncertain and conflicted world order in which it will be crucial for Europe to bring its confident security policy sovereignty, its established internal strengths and alliances to bear. For the European social model will need to stand firm against these conflicts. How can Europe prevent itself from becoming a plaything of great powers and instead play a part in setting the rules of the game on the basis of its own values and interests

Discussion with: Rachel Rizzo, Senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center. Kristina Lunz, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy Lars Klingbeil, Party Chairman of the SPD Daniela Schwarzer, Director Open Society Foundations

Moderation: Nana Brink, Journalist

Closing speech Martin Schulz, President Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

In his closing speech, Martin Schulz emphasized how important the debate on changing times is. It is about representing European values and defending them when they are attacked. Whether climate change, external and internal security, migration issues, tax policy, international trade policy or food policy. Germany cannot meet all these challenges alone, nor can France or Italy. No country in the European Union can do this. Europe consists of many small countries, but in its sum as a community of states based on the same principles, which have decided to transnational cooperation and sovereignty, Europe is a global player. A center that can cooperate with other centers. A center of democracy, rule of law, freedom, respect, dignity and tolerance. All values of Europe and at the same time of international social democracy.