Alpbach, for me,  so far has been centered around the theme of democracy. The title of this year’s edition, „Moment of Truth“, reflects this focus, as it highlights that 2024 half of the worlds population is either voting or has voted, including the three largest democracies — India, Indonesia, and the United States.

On the second day, we had a picnic on a meadow with Sophia Kircher, discussing the aftermath of the EU elections, which perfectly set the tone for my upcoming seminars focused on democracy. Currently halfway through the seminar week, I’m thoroughly enjoying the experience. My morning seminar involves imagining a democracy that considers future generations, where we explore ideas of democratic participation supported by current academic insights. While elections are the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about democracy, it's essential to remain active in-between them as well.

My afternoon seminar tackles the issue of depolarization, a challenge many countries are currently facing. One particularly fascinating session involved a simulation where participants tried to influence the outcome of the U.S. elections. I found myself fully immersed in my role, collaborating closely with people I had never met before. I’m eagerly anticipating the days ahead in Alpbach and the many discussions about democratic values and activism that await.