National egotism is back. Geopolitical rivalries are sharpening, international regimes and institutions losing clout. States increasingly resort to economic and military pressure to assert their interests. Yet the many global challenges demand more international cooperation, not less.

How can we promote solidarity, when national power and interests dominate international relations? Which partners should Europe be looking to?

We will be airing these questions at the 2026 Tiergarten Talk.

Martin Schulz, President of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, will welcome you.

Lars Klingbeil, Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany and Vice Chancellor, will hold a keynote address on the future of a democratic and solidary foreign and security policy. He then joins the discussion with:

• Laura Chinchilla, Former president of Costa Rica, Co-Chair of the South-North Commission on Development

• Francesca Bria, Digital and Innovation Policy Expert, President of the Italian innovation agency ART-ER, Member of the European Innovation Council and Scientific Director of the data platform The Authoritarian Stack

Host: Nina Netzer, Desk Officer for International Social Democracy, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung

We would like to hear your views too. When you register for the event you will receive a link under which you can submit a question for the discussion.

After the panel, the discussion will continue in smaller “island talks”, offering an opportunity to discuss the issues in greater depth and consider the future of international cooperation.

We look forward to seeing you.

The Tiergarten Talk is the public part of the 2026 Tiergarten Conference #TGK26. More information: fes.de/en/tiergarten-conference

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in German–English/English–German. We will also provide a live stream via our Youtube channel.

Accessibility information: The event is taking place at ground level and is wheelchair accessible. Barrier-free access is available to the event rooms. If you have any special requirements, such as sign language interpretation or support for blind or visually impaired people, please let us know.

Press contact: Johannes Damian, presse(at)fes.de, phone +49(0)30 26935 7038