24-25 November 2025
• Alte Kongresshalle, München
48FORWARD
FESTIVAL
48forward Festival
INNOVATION STARTS WITH CONVERSATION: INSIGHTS FOR A NEW WORLD ORDER
INNOVATION STARTS WITH CONVERSATION: INSIGHTS FOR A NEW WORLD ORDER
THE FUTURE DEMANDS VISIONARIES: JOIN THE DEBATE, SHAPE THE CHANGE
THE FUTURE DEMANDS VISIONARIES: JOIN THE DEBATE, SHAPE THE CHANGE
München
48FORWARD
FESTIVAL
INNOVATION STARTS WITH CONVERSATION: INSIGHTS FOR A NEW WORLD ORDER
THE FUTURE DEMANDS VISIONARIES: JOIN THE DEBATE, SHAPE THE CHANGE
Debating possible futures
The 48forward Festival brings together the leading minds of our time to debate the relevant questions of the future. With a clear mission: visionary ideas and inspiring conversations that enable real change. Those who wish to actively shape the future will find here the impulses and connections to think ahead and act sustainably.
100%
100%
100%
Debates, interviews and content instead of PowerPoint slides and sales pitches
50+
50+
50+
Inspiring minds on stage
500+
500+
500+
Decision makers in the audience
10+
10+
10+
Masterclasses and Q&A sessions
2
2
2
Days packed with insights
on stage
The speakers at the 48forward Festival are handpicked: thought leaders, CEOs and experts who set new standards.
Their unique expertise provides fresh impulses for forward-looking discussions and genuine change.
Festival Schedule
The 48forward Festival focuses on key themes of the future: from artificial intelligence and global security issues to sustainable innovations and corporate responsibility. It brings together visionary thinkers who not only discuss but also set new impulses to actively shape change.
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
09:00 - 09:30
Entry and registration
10:00 - 10:15
Opening
10 years of 48forward: Daniel Fürg and Nico Lumma open the festival and provide an overview of what is planned for the two days.
Daniel Fürg, Nico Lumma
Main Stage
10:15 - 10:45
How to Lose a Country
Democracies around the world are under pressure - even those we always thought were untouchable. Ece Temelkuran has been intensively studying this phenomenon for years - among other things in her bestseller "How to Lose a Country".
Ece Temelkuran, Daniel Fürg
Main Stage
10:45 - 11:30
Tech meets Verantwortung
Technology is developing at lightning speed and our world is digital. But how do we maintain the necessary responsibility amidst this rapid growth?
Martin Hecker, Curt Simon Harlinghausen
Main Stage
11:30 - 12:00
Startups gründen aus dem Corporate: Challenges and Opportunities
Welche Herausforderungen, aber auch Chancen bietet die Gründung aus dem Corporate-Umfeld heraus - und wie kann man von genau diesem Background als Gründer:in profitieren?
Bernt Andrassy, Dr. Oliver Krieg, Dr. Carsten Rudolph
Main Stage
12:00 - 12:30
What we must learn from the past
Shift to the right in Europe, attacks on democracy in the USA: Shouldn’t we have known better? We look to the past and learn for the future.
Dr. Eva Umlauf, Magdalena Rogl
Main Stage
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 - 14:00
Democracy, language and politics
The language of politics has changed. Populism has taken hold in all parties. But what does this mean? And how do we regain trust in politics?
Dr. Gregor Gysi, Marieke Reimann
Main Stage
14:00 - 14:30
What if Russia wins?
Europe's security situation has changed significantly in recent years. How can we deal with these threats? And how will we become independent?
Giedrimas Jeglinskas, Kay Brinkmann, Torben Gefken
Main Stage
14:30 - 15:00
Armament and defence capability
Germany felt secure for decades from war and danger. But now the Bundeswehr needs to be put back in a state where it is capable of defense. Where do we stand on the issue of a turning point?
Thomas Hambach, Armin Schaus
Main Stage
15:00 - 16:00
Coffee Break
16:00 - 16:30
Cyberwar and Hybrid Warfare
War looks different today - digital, hidden, hybrid. But what does that actually mean for us in Germany? And what role do ethics and morality play in this?
Suki Fuller, Dr. Volker Pötzsch, Tina Kulow
Main Stage
16:30 - 17:00
Demokratie und Liebe
Ein Gespräch über die Frage, wie demokratische Gesellschaften ohne gelebte Empathie und gegenseitige Verantwortung zerbrechlich werden. Ariadne von Schirach zeigt, warum Liebe – verstanden als Haltung, nicht als Gefühl – ein politisches Prinzip ist, das Freiheit erst möglich macht. Gemeinsam suchen wir nach Antworten darauf, wie Beziehungen, Gemeinschaft und Demokratie sich gegenseitig stärken können.
Ariadne von Schirach, Thomas Gierling
Main Stage
17:00 - 18:00
Democracy, language and media
What responsibility does journalism have in times of crisis? And how can we meet this responsibility?
Paul Ronzheimer, Daniel Fürg
Main Stage
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
09:00 - 09:30
Entry and registration
10:00 - 10:15
Opening
10 years of 48forward: Daniel Fürg and Nico Lumma open the festival and provide an overview of what is planned for the two days.
Daniel Fürg, Nico Lumma
Main Stage
10:15 - 10:45
How to Lose a Country
Democracies around the world are under pressure - even those we always thought were untouchable. Ece Temelkuran has been intensively studying this phenomenon for years - among other things in her bestseller "How to Lose a Country".
Ece Temelkuran, Daniel Fürg
Main Stage
10:45 - 11:30
Tech meets Verantwortung
Technology is developing at lightning speed and our world is digital. But how do we maintain the necessary responsibility amidst this rapid growth?
Martin Hecker, Curt Simon Harlinghausen
Main Stage
11:30 - 12:00
Startups gründen aus dem Corporate: Challenges and Opportunities
Welche Herausforderungen, aber auch Chancen bietet die Gründung aus dem Corporate-Umfeld heraus - und wie kann man von genau diesem Background als Gründer:in profitieren?
Bernt Andrassy, Dr. Oliver Krieg, Dr. Carsten Rudolph
Main Stage
12:00 - 12:30
What we must learn from the past
Shift to the right in Europe, attacks on democracy in the USA: Shouldn’t we have known better? We look to the past and learn for the future.
Dr. Eva Umlauf, Magdalena Rogl
Main Stage
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 - 14:00
Democracy, language and politics
The language of politics has changed. Populism has taken hold in all parties. But what does this mean? And how do we regain trust in politics?
Dr. Gregor Gysi, Marieke Reimann
Main Stage
14:00 - 14:30
What if Russia wins?
Europe's security situation has changed significantly in recent years. How can we deal with these threats? And how will we become independent?
Giedrimas Jeglinskas, Kay Brinkmann, Torben Gefken
Main Stage
14:30 - 15:00
Armament and defence capability
Germany felt secure for decades from war and danger. But now the Bundeswehr needs to be put back in a state where it is capable of defense. Where do we stand on the issue of a turning point?
Thomas Hambach, Armin Schaus
Main Stage
15:00 - 16:00
Coffee Break
16:00 - 16:30
Cyberwar and Hybrid Warfare
War looks different today - digital, hidden, hybrid. But what does that actually mean for us in Germany? And what role do ethics and morality play in this?
Suki Fuller, Dr. Volker Pötzsch, Tina Kulow
Main Stage
16:30 - 17:00
Demokratie und Liebe
Ein Gespräch über die Frage, wie demokratische Gesellschaften ohne gelebte Empathie und gegenseitige Verantwortung zerbrechlich werden. Ariadne von Schirach zeigt, warum Liebe – verstanden als Haltung, nicht als Gefühl – ein politisches Prinzip ist, das Freiheit erst möglich macht. Gemeinsam suchen wir nach Antworten darauf, wie Beziehungen, Gemeinschaft und Demokratie sich gegenseitig stärken können.
Ariadne von Schirach, Thomas Gierling
Main Stage
17:00 - 18:00
Democracy, language and media
What responsibility does journalism have in times of crisis? And how can we meet this responsibility?
Paul Ronzheimer, Daniel Fürg
Main Stage
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
09:00 - 09:30
Entry and registration
10:00 - 10:15
Opening
10 years of 48forward: Daniel Fürg and Nico Lumma open the festival and provide an overview of what is planned for the two days.
Daniel Fürg, Nico Lumma
Main Stage
10:15 - 10:45
How to Lose a Country
Democracies around the world are under pressure - even those we always thought were untouchable. Ece Temelkuran has been intensively studying this phenomenon for years - among other things in her bestseller "How to Lose a Country".
Ece Temelkuran, Daniel Fürg
Main Stage
10:45 - 11:30
Tech meets Verantwortung
Technology is developing at lightning speed and our world is digital. But how do we maintain the necessary responsibility amidst this rapid growth?
Martin Hecker, Curt Simon Harlinghausen
Main Stage
11:30 - 12:00
Startups gründen aus dem Corporate: Challenges and Opportunities
Welche Herausforderungen, aber auch Chancen bietet die Gründung aus dem Corporate-Umfeld heraus - und wie kann man von genau diesem Background als Gründer:in profitieren?
Bernt Andrassy, Dr. Oliver Krieg, Dr. Carsten Rudolph
Main Stage
12:00 - 12:30
What we must learn from the past
Shift to the right in Europe, attacks on democracy in the USA: Shouldn’t we have known better? We look to the past and learn for the future.
Dr. Eva Umlauf, Magdalena Rogl
Main Stage
12:30 - 13:30
Lunch Break
13:30 - 14:00
Democracy, language and politics
The language of politics has changed. Populism has taken hold in all parties. But what does this mean? And how do we regain trust in politics?
Dr. Gregor Gysi, Marieke Reimann
Main Stage
14:00 - 14:30
What if Russia wins?
Europe's security situation has changed significantly in recent years. How can we deal with these threats? And how will we become independent?
Giedrimas Jeglinskas, Kay Brinkmann, Torben Gefken
Main Stage
14:30 - 15:00
Armament and defence capability
Germany felt secure for decades from war and danger. But now the Bundeswehr needs to be put back in a state where it is capable of defense. Where do we stand on the issue of a turning point?
Thomas Hambach, Armin Schaus
Main Stage
15:00 - 16:00
Coffee Break
16:00 - 16:30
Cyberwar and Hybrid Warfare
War looks different today - digital, hidden, hybrid. But what does that actually mean for us in Germany? And what role do ethics and morality play in this?
Suki Fuller, Dr. Volker Pötzsch, Tina Kulow
Main Stage
16:30 - 17:00
Demokratie und Liebe
Ein Gespräch über die Frage, wie demokratische Gesellschaften ohne gelebte Empathie und gegenseitige Verantwortung zerbrechlich werden. Ariadne von Schirach zeigt, warum Liebe – verstanden als Haltung, nicht als Gefühl – ein politisches Prinzip ist, das Freiheit erst möglich macht. Gemeinsam suchen wir nach Antworten darauf, wie Beziehungen, Gemeinschaft und Demokratie sich gegenseitig stärken können.
Ariadne von Schirach, Thomas Gierling
Main Stage
17:00 - 18:00
Democracy, language and media
What responsibility does journalism have in times of crisis? And how can we meet this responsibility?
Paul Ronzheimer, Daniel Fürg
Main Stage
Partner
The partners of the 48forward Festival play a central role: Without their valuable contribution, the inspiring debates and exchanges would not be possible. Through their support, they actively shape the future and play a crucial part in promoting groundbreaking ideas and innovations.
FAQ
Where is the event taking place?
I am interested in the masterclasses - where can I find more information?
I would like to book tickets, but my ordering process in the company is complex...
What language is spoken at the event?
Where can I park my car?
Can I arrive by public transport?
Where is the event taking place?
I am interested in the masterclasses - where can I find more information?
I would like to book tickets, but my ordering process in the company is complex...
What language is spoken at the event?
Where can I park my car?
Can I arrive by public transport?
Where is the event taking place?
I am interested in the masterclasses - where can I find more information?
I would like to book tickets, but my ordering process in the company is complex...
What language is spoken at the event?
Where can I park my car?
Can I arrive by public transport?
