Pentecost dialogue 2025: Europe in the sign of peace and challenge!

Pentecost dialogue 2025: Europe in the sign of peace and challenge!

Schloss Seggau, 8430 Leibnitz, Österreich - On June 4, 2025, the Pentecost dialogue 2025 was opened in Seggau Castle in South Styria. The general topic of the event, "Challenge.europe", takes into account the current political situation and invites you to discuss the challenges and opportunities of Europe. There are prominent guests of honor such as the governor Deputy Manuela Khom, the State Councilor Willibald Ehrenhöfer and Wilhelm Krautwaschl, the diocesan bishop, and Wolfgang Rehner, the superintendent. Heinz Mayer, Managing Director of Joanneum, and historian Christopher Clark, who holds the keynote, are also honor. The role of Styria is particularly important as a place of dialogue, as Herwig Hösele, coordinator spirit & present, highlights, and he emphasizes the need for an open discussion culture in Europe.

The opening address of Manuela Khom is shaped by a clear appeal for Europe as a peace project and a common family. "We have to defend our European values," she demands determined. Willibald Ehrenhöfer also speaks of the need to hear votes from the regions. In his contribution, Christopher Clark addresses the dangers of a brutal discussion culture in his keynote "The end of the public", which is brought into the spotlight in particular by the Russian attack war against Ukraine. "Europe's existence is at stake," he warns.

of the challenges of Europe

Another exciting program highlight on June 4 is the panel "Who designs the public discourse?" For which Bernhard Pörksen and Johannes Bruckenberger come on stage as experts. This is followed by the final panel "Europe between prosperity and security" with Christopher Clark, Barbara Stelzl-Marx and Arnold Kammel. The entire event is not only on site, but also via ORF Styria and the official website, so that interested people can take part from everywhere.

The discussion that will be initiated this year will be deepened in Clark's critical analyzes of social and political dynamics in Europe. In an interview, he describes that collective identities are increasingly liquefying and that there is no longer a uniform audience. The political parties seem to lose their hold, while social media transform the landscape into a confusing chaos. "The booming uncomfortable feeling of many people is noticeable," explains Clark and underlines the challenges that the younger generations in particular face.

The influence of social media

Where does the influence of social media lead us? You have fundamentally changed the way we consume political information. According to an examination, 60% of Facebook and Instagram users show strong trust in being well informed. But for many this is not the only source of information. A survey shows that 15% of the respondents hardly fall back on traditional media and relate their news mainly through social media. This phenomenon has far -reaching consequences, because while social media can certainly contribute to political mobilization, they also lead to a fragmentation of the public, such as bpb.de.

Especially in today's world, when democracy is put to the test through numerous crises and challenges, the discussion about the role of social media in political communication is more current than ever. Clark emphasizes that trust in politics and institutions disappear, and he warns of the dangers that arise from a short -term policy. "We have to learn from the crises in order to be able to deal with future problems better," says the historian and adds that strong political in the middle is essential to give democracy stability.

In this eventful time, it is essential that society comes together and that the challenges faced an open dialogue. The Pentecost dialogue 2025 in Seggau Castle shows that such conversations can take place even in difficult times, and invites you to think about solutions that draw a positive picture of the future of Europe.