Q BERLIN 2022 – BERLIN’S OFFICIAL METROPOLITAN CONFERENCE ON 15 & 16 SEPTEMBER IS THE FIRST CONFERENCE TO BE HELD AT ICC BERLIN IN NEARLY A DECADE

Berlin, 15 September 2022 "The New Unknown — Navigating Zeitenwende" — never before have we been confronted with as many urgent, complex questions as we face today. What are the consequences of the war in Ukraine for the world order? How can we structure societies and democracies to be more sustainable and resilient?  What role do metropolises like Berlin play in overcoming global crises such as those we are currently experiencing?

Mayors of international cities and speakers from the fields of politics, economics science and culture will discuss these questions during Q BERLIN on 15 and 16 September at the International Congress Centrum (ICC) Berlin. The conference will be hosted by Franziska Giffey, Governing Mayor of Berlin.

Franziska Giffey, Governing Mayor of Berlin: “Berlin and metropolises around the world are currently facing many uncertainties and upheavels. For me ‘Navigating Zeitenwende’ means finding local solutions to global problems, every day. At Q BERLIN, international experts come together to discuss the essential questions about the future and possible solutions. I look forward to the impulses and discussions over the next two days.”

“Berlin is known as the city of freedom, dialogue, and tolerance, exactly the spirit Q BERLIN embodies. The conference will offer sharp critiques of — and guidance for — an increasingly complex world”, says Burkhard Kieker, the director of Q BERLIN and managing director of visitBerlin. “There is an urgent need for these kinds of exchanges and dialogues; The ICC Berlin will host many young and international guests from around the world, who will openly and passionately discuss current events, the influence of propaganda on politics, and the role of our cities.”

The theme of this year's edition is divided into three main topics:

Transformation & Resilience – On Crises as Change Agents

On the question of how crises can serve as a wake-up call and the resulting impulses for our future

 

Global Cohesion & Solidarity – On Food, Shelter & Economies

On globalization and its challenges, especially the role of cities in overcoming crises

 

Democracies in Danger – On Free Speech, Propaganda & Fake News

On current developments in the media landscape and in our society

 

SPEAKERS AT Q BERLIN 2022

About 50 top international speakers will discuss and present their approaches to answering these questions over the next two days in Berlin, including: Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris – on global crises and the challenges and opportunities for cities, Marietta Slomka, journalist – on fake news and propaganda, Svyatlana Zikhanouskaya (remote), leader of democratic Belarus – on stolen elections and democratic struggle for the future of Belarus, Francesca Bria, innovation economist and one of Europe's leading experts on digital policy – on the challenges of global metropolises, Frank Sieren, journalist and China expert – on China’s rise as a world power and the end of the Western-centric worldview, Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook, Senior Advisor Program Europe's Future, Bertelsmann Foundation – on urban power and the pact of free cities, Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Founder of The Tawakkol Karman International Foundation, and Sevgil Musaieva, Editor-in-Chief Ukrainska Pravda – on Ukraine as a shield protecting democracy.

FIRST CONFERENCE AT ICC IN NEARLY A DECADE

Q BERLIN is the first conference to be held at the decommissioned conference centre in nearly a decade. The ICC is a special venue to Berlin, an architectural icon and a statement of an idea for the future of the city and society.

In addition to the official conference program, discussions will focus on the ICC Berlin itself. On Friday 16 September, State Conservator Christoph Rauhut will address this iconic building's importance for the city, and Berlin initiatives such as Graft Architects and ICCC will present their visions for its spaces.

2-DAY-PROGRAM OF CONFERENCE AND CULTURAL PROGRAM

The two day conference program offers a variety of events and lectures: On Thursday, September 15, speakers will introduce the main topics in short presentations. On Friday, September 16, the topics introduced on the first day will be explored in panels and roundtable conversations. Visitors are invited to experience the iconic ICC Berlin and a variety of accompanying cultural productions. After 6:30PM on Thursday evening, Berliners are invited to explore the building, linger at the bars, and discover/experience different artistic interventions.

The complete conference program and list of speakers, can be found at https://q.berlin/

SHARPEN BERLIN'S TRADEMARK AS A CONVENTION DESTINATION

Q BERLIN is Berlin's metropolitan conference. The German capital thus has an international conference at which the important issues of the day are discussed. It intends to strengthen our city's position internationally as a place of tolerance and open discourse.

You can follow the conference events on instagram under @qBerlinqsts and #qBerlin22.

ABOUT THE ICC BERLIN

The Internationales Congress Centrum (ICC) Berlin was designed by architects Ralf Schüler and Ursulina Schüler-Witte and completed in 1979. Once Europe’s largest conference centre, it became a symbol for a metropolitan, futuristic Berlin. After the building closed in 2014, it faced the threat of demolition before being listed as a historic monument in 2019.

ABOUT Q BERLIN

Q BERLIN has been curated and organized by visitBerlin since 2017. It is co-funded by the Senate Chancellery of Berlin and hosted by the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Franziska Giffey. The conference is open to a broad audience and welcomes all stakeholders who seek to shape the future. Q BERLIN will take place in a hybrid format, allowing participants to follow the debates live in Berlin and also online.

PRESS CONTACT

Send/Receive                                                           

Rahel Yohannes                                                                     

rahel@sendreceive.eu                                                          

 +49 15901775997                                                               

PRESS KIT:

about.visitBerlin.de/q-berlin-medienservice

We would be delighted to welcome you to Q BERLIN 2022. For press accreditation, please send your full name, your email address and your media affiliation to director@q.berlin.