Inspired by Sophy Roberts' latest book A Training School for Elephants, this public discussion examines the history of European colonialism through the lens of nineteenth-century imperial expansion and its far-reaching consequences. Asian elephants were taken to Africa in the 19th century for a supposed training school, but in reality were used for exploitation. How much were colonial projects driven by ideas of conquest, scientific curiosity, economic exploitation, and cultural domination? They certainly shaped not only the lives of colonized peoples but also the natural world. Points raised in the discussion will be how colonialism transformed societies, displaced communities, extracted resources, and influenced the collection of knowledge, animals, and cultural objects and how the ways in which these historical processes continue to resonate today in global inequalities, museum collections, environmental challenges, and ongoing debates about historical responsibility, restitution, and remembrance.
Sophy Roberts, a British award-winning author and journalist specializing in literary nonfiction, travel, history, conservation, and cultural storytelling. She is known for immersive reporting from remote and historically significant regions around the world. Sophy Roberts studied at Oxford and Columbia University in New York and has written for publications including “The Guardian”, “The Economist” and “Financial Times Weekend”. Her first book, “Sibiriens vergessene Klaviere”, was published by Zsolnay in 2020.
Moderation:
Tessa Szyszkowitz, author and journalist for the Austrian weekly Falter and others. Distinguished Fellow at Royal United Services Institute in London (RUSI)
In cooperation with the OIIP and the BMEIA
Get to know the winners of this years Intercultural Achievement Award and engage in a dialogue with them.
Information will be continuously updated.
In cooperation with ÖFSE and VIDC
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is Africa's most ambitious economic integration project. The political ambitions are high: the AfCFTA aims to boost intra-African trade, enable regional value chains, promote industrialization, and enhance the continent's position in the global economy. Considerable progress has been made since the Agreement entered into force five years ago, particularly in establishing its political, legal and institutional architecture. However, translating the AfCFTA's political vision into tangible economic outcomes remains a complex undertaking. Successful implementation goes beyond tariff reductions and requires improvements in trade facilitation, customs procedures, transport and logistics, access to finance, regulatory cooperation, common standards and productive capacities. This event will discuss the current state of the AfCFTA, the challenges of its implementation, and what is needed to boost investment, industrialization and employment in Africa while ensuring that the benefits of integration are shared across countries, regions, businesses and different groups of population.
Key Note:
H.E. Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat and former South African Representative at the World Trade Organization: “The AfCFTA as a driver for trade, production and employment: strategic considerations”
Followed by a panel with:
Ambassador Valerie Rugene, Deputy Permanent Representative/ Deputy Head of Mission of Kenia to Austria and to the Vienna based UN organizations (tbc)
Prof. Dr. Robert Kappel, Prof. emeritus at the University of Leipzig and President emeritus of the German Institute for Global and Area Studies GIGA
Dr. Leena Koni Hoffmann, Chatham House, UK and member of the International Council of Transparency International
Ein interaktiver Lese- und Gesprächsabend mit dem Blauen Elefanten – moderiert von Daniela Kanoun
Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
Sie wurden ausgewählt, an einem außergewöhnlichen Experiment teilzunehmen.
Gemeinsam mit dem Blauen Elefanten begeben wir uns auf eine satirische Reise durch die 30 Schritte zum Diktator. Von Social Media über Personenkult und Polarisierung bis hin zu Angst, Feindbildern und einfachen Antworten – Kapitel für Kapitel entdecken wir die Mechanismen, mit denen Macht aufgebaut und Meinung beeinflusst wird.
Doch an diesem Abend wird nicht nur gelesen.
Moderatorin Daniela Kanoun lädt das Publikum immer wieder ein, mitzudenken, Fragen zu beantworten und gemeinsam zu entdecken, warum diese Strategien so wirkungsvoll sind – und weshalb sie uns oft näher sind, als wir glauben.
Mit Humor. Mit Satire. Mit psychologischem Tiefgang.
Keine klassische Lesung, sondern ein interaktiver Abend zum Zuhören, Mitdenken und Mitmachen.
Der Blaue Elefant, Satiriker und Facharzt für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapeutische Medizin
Moderation:
Daniela Kanoun, Unternehmensberaterin und Coach
Due to an urgent change of the itinerary of H.E. Badr Abdelatty, we are sorry to announce that the evening event has to be CANCELLED.
Many of today’s biggest challenges, from housing, healthcare and education to migration, digitalisation and democratic resilience, already have workable solutions. The problem is often not a lack of ideas, but a lack of political courage to implement them.
In his latest book, John Kampfner examines countries and societies that have successfully addressed some of these complex challenges, showing how meaningful progress is possible when leaders and citizens are prepared to think beyond short-term political cycles, learn from one another and embrace innovation.
We invite you to join us for a public discussion with John Kampfner to explore what we can learn from these examples and how successful approaches might be adapted to our own societies. The conversation will focus on the choices, opportunities and obstacles that shape our ability to turn good ideas into meaningful political action.
John Kampfner, British journalist, author and broadcaster specialising in international affairs, Germany, Russia and European politics. He began his career as a foreign correspondent for The Daily Telegraph in East Berlin and Moscow, later becoming Chief Political Correspondent at the Financial Times and a BBC political commentator. He edited the New Statesman from 2005–2008 and has written several books, including Blair’s Wars, Why the Germans Do It Better and In Search of Berlin. His latest book, Braver New World, was published in 2026.
Moderation: Tessa Szyszkowitz, author and journalist for the Austrian weekly Falter and others. Distinguished Fellow at Royal United Services Institute in London (RUSI)