Ladies and Gentlemen,

A very warm welcome to the premiere of the Lucerne Dialogue here in Lucerne.

Dark. Dark are the topics that currently move us. Average temperatures in 2023 have so far been 1.4 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. 2023 will probably be the warmest year since records began.War has been raging not only in Ukraine for almost 2 years, but since the terrorist attack on Israel, there is also a threat of widespread conflict in the Middle East.

We all must realize: something is brewing, the horizon is darkening, and it could get even worse – even for us in the heart of Europe. But – what exactly is Europe? It is more than the EU with its 27 members. Of course, Switzerland and Great Britain, as well as numerous other countries, are also part of it. But which ones? Are they the 47 countries that have been participating in the European Political Community for two years? Former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright once said: “To understand Europe,you need to be a genius – or French.”

Perhaps there is a third option: To pause. To consider Europe beyond the hysteria of the daily news flow, from a certain distance, from where one often sees the important things particularly clearly. For example,from Lucerne.

So, what is it we see when we look at Europe? A wealthy, culturally fascinating continent that is seriously committed to ecological sustainability. A region where democracy and the rule of law are(almost) universally upheld. A European Union that, unlike any other state in the world, has made substantial progress in digital human rights. But we also see, we must see: A continent that is struggling to develop anawareness of the new realities and what now needs to be done. It is all the more important, especially for us in Switzerland, to wake up and join other Europeans in the face of a threateningly fragmented world, and to commit to a stronger Europe – before it's too late. Strengthening Europe from within Switzerland: This is the "raison d'être" of the Lucerne Dialogue.

Controversial questions

In today's world, there is no shortage of controversies and sensationalist talk shows. And some people wish for bold controversies and confrontations here on our stages too. I do not believe in bold controversies. I believe in the creative power of dialogue. This does not mean that we should sugarcoat everything. Quite the contrary, with the commitment to dialogue, we must of course address and discuss controversial topics here in Lucerne. All our speakers have been briefed accordingly. The speakers, you, and I, we all now need to askthe right, the uncomfortable questions. Lucerne Dialogue is dedicated to thesequestions and aims to contribute seriously to their answers.

What if Europe really had to take care of its own security? Are we - in Europe - even remotely prepared for a second term of Donald Trump?
What if we stopped using the excuse that Europe is too powerless to really play a role on a global level?
What if Switzerland stopped using the excuse that it is too small to take responsibility for a strong Europe?
What if we did not succumb to the illusion that a "European Green Deal" would enable us to live within planetary limits and without massive dependencies?
What if we had the courage and wisdom to tackle complex problems with intuition and a holistic approach...

Ambition of Lucerne Dialogue

We can only find answers to these questions all together. We: That means 700 current and future decision-makers. The majority coming from business, but also from politics, academia and civil society. From almost every European country . One third women. More than half of the participants under 45. This young generation in Switzerland and in Europe rightly wants new answers to tough questions. So, we take the much-invoked generational dialogue seriously – by giving the younger generations a voice: They will share their thoughts, their expectations, their perspectives on the political and economic situation in Europe.

Some people may as, "is that enough?" For three reasons, I think we will achieve agreat deal on this platform:

First, since Tuesday, 45 young individuals have been working in a hackathon on the question of how we can enhance participation in Western democracies. They will present their projects to us tomorrow in a breakout session. You, esteemed guests, are welcome to     invest in these projects: financially, with your time, and with your experience. This promises to be a hopeful project with a concret output

Second, for us older individuals, this engagement with the future leaders and tomorrow's customers and employees acts as an early detection system. It promises impulses and personal growth in business-relevant topics. That is your individual added value.

Third, and this seems to me the most important: Energy flows where attention goes. Many of last year`s participants told me how the speeches then held by Christian Wulff, the Millennials, or Timothy Garton Ash made them aware of what is now at stake in Europe.

May our participation during these two days inspire us all to do the right thing. If we, who are here and hold influential positions, live up to our responsibility and use the resourcesavailable to us, we can contribute to positive change and a stronger Europe. Yes we can.

Step up

I hope that in the future we will look back on these first editions of the Lucerne Dialogue as a turning point where we shook off resignation and passivity and realised what really matters. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Swiss author Arnold Kübler wrote in 1944: "Lucerne is the place where the calm waters of Lake Lucerne begin to flow, where they break out and rush in haste through the old town and out into the hill country." May our coming together here in Lucerne create European dynamism and a movement that powerfully spreads through the old town out into Switzerland and Europe.

I wish you two inspiring days, right here,right now, on the calm shores of Lake Lucerne.