The Future Of Democracy

  • How do we protect democratic values in uncertain times?
  • How do we convey the value of democracy?
  • How is democracy changing?

Defence In Uncertain Times

  • How will Europe defend itself in the future?
  • What role do defence alliances play?
  • What value do international legal frameworks have?

The Age Of Quantum AI

  • How close are we to the quantum revolution?
  • What should artificial intelligence be able to do?
  • How do we become quantum-ready?

Longevity And The Future Of Our Brains

  • Will we be able to live forever?
  • How can we optimize or heal the function of our brain?
  • What ethical frameworks do we need to define?

A platform for debate that respects opinions, challenges inspiration and promotes communication.

48forward festival

The Debate Platform

November 24 - 25, 2025
Alte Kongresshalle
At Bavariapark 17
80339 Munich

JOIN THE DEBATE

HOW?

Shape the future

1 Summit Day
 2 Festival days
500+ Decision makers
50+ Inspiring minds on stage
0 PowerPoint Slides

JOIN THE DEBATE

What?

Get Inspired

The 48forward Festival is all about inspiring conversations and debates. We firmly believe that connecting the brightest minds will ultimately enable us to create sustainable solutions for future challenges. 
Join us, expand your network and your horizons!

JOIN THE DEBATE

On Stage

Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Former President of Estonia

Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Former President of Estonia

Prof. Dr. Newton Howard

Neuroscientist and Professor at the University of Oxford

Prof. Dr. Newton Howard

Neuroscientist and Professor at the University of Oxford

Dr. Gregor Gysi

Member of the German Bundestag, Lawyer, Author, Publicist & Moderator

Dr. Gregor Gysi

Member of the German Bundestag, Lawyer, Author, Publicist & Moderator

Dr. Jan Goetz

CEO and Co-Founder IQM Quantum Computers

Dr. Jan Goetz

CEO and Co-Founder IQM Quantum Computers

Mikko Hypponen

Chief Research Officer at WithSecure

Mikko Hypponen

Chief Research Officer at WithSecure

Hanna Hennig

CIO at Siemens

Hanna Hennig

CIO at Siemens

Prof. Dr. Mathias Goyen

Chief Medical Officer EMEA at GE Healthcare

Prof. Dr. Mathias Goyen

Chief Medical Officer EMEA at GE Healthcare

Ariadne von Schirach

Philosopher, Author, and Lecturer

Ariadne von Schirach

Philosopher, Author, and Lecturer

Dr. Pablo Hagemeyer

Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist & Bestselling Author

Dr. Pablo Hagemeyer

Psychiatrist, Psychotherapist & Bestselling Author

Further stage guests will be announced shortly!

JOIN THE DEBATE

Festival Agenda

THE SUMMIT

April 30 - May 01, 2023
An exclusive get-together in the heart of the Bavarian capital to create a strong network. The Summit is an invite-only event.

DAY ONE

02 MAY 2023
15:00 - 15:30

Doors Open & networking

15:30 - 15:45

Opening

Daniel Fürg
15:45 - 16:15
SOCIETY & POLITICS

The impact of war on democracy

Dr. Charlotte Knobloch in conversation with Daniel Fürg
16:15 - 16:45
SOCIETY & POLITICS

Sustainable Democracy: What It Takes from Corporates, And Human Beings

Claudia Oeking, Johannes Müller
16:45 - 17:15
Technology & Data

Killing the hype: How can we use new technologies in reality

Anna Kopp, Kai Jürgens
17:15 - 18:00
Technology & Data

The Impact of AI on business, politics, education, and ethics

Prof. Dr. Christoph Lütge, Dr. Laura Crompton and Marco-Alexander Breit in conversation with Martha Biadun
18:00 - 18:30
Society & Politics

Back to work, new work, old work - what will work in the future?

Magdalena Rogl, Dr. Pablo Hagemeyer, Prof. Dr. Oliver Falck, Tobias Jung in conversation with Oliver Kempkens
18:30 - 20:00

Drinks & Networking

20:00 - 20:30
TECHNOLOGY & DATA

New Technologies and Ethics

Judith Gerlach in conversation with Daniel Fürg
20:30 - 22:00
ALL TOPICS

The Optimists Roundtable

Ariadne von Schirach, Prof. Dr. Dr. Michel Friedman and Michael Brandner in conversation with Thorsten Otto
22:00 - OPEN END

Drinks & Networking

DAY TWO

03 MAY 2023
10:00 - 10:15

Opening

Daniel Fürg
10:15 - 11:00
SOCIETY & POLITICS

Generation Next:
Dreams, Hopes & Fears

Stephanie zu Guttenberg, Kerry Hoppe, Kira Geiss, Jeremy Fragrance in conversation with Dirk von Gehlen
11:00 - 11:30
PLANET & ENVIRONMENT

Corporate Responsibility And Climate Change

Dr. Saskia Juretzek, Thilo Hitz and Niclas-Alexander Mauß in conversation with Dr. Kiri Trier
11:30 - 12:00
Technology & Data

How to digitize a state

Tino Kuehnel in conversation with Christian Voss-Freund
12:00 - 13:00

Dating Game:
Founder Meets Investor

13:00 - OPEN END

Networking Sessions

Register now!

Register now!

Many thanks to our PArtners!

Stadt München
Philip Morris
Miele X
byte
Railslove
Dwight Cribb Personalberatung

Stay tuned!

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