Q BERLIN – The conference on the urgent issues of today

Berlin, 5 November 2019 How can climate change be halted? What negatively affects the mental health of people living in cities? Will my job still exist in ten years’ time? The third edition of the Q BERLIN conference on 7 and 8 November brings together top international speakers to discuss social and societal responsibility, how AI is changing the job market, and sustainable urban planning.

“Q Berlin addresses those issues especially pressing for cities around the world today – social cohesion in growing metropoles, urbanisation, sustainable city-compatible tourism, urban development and mobility. We take Berlin’s role as a window on Germany very seriously and, with this conference, aim to establish a long-term platform for the urgent questions of our day,” said Burkhard Kieker, Chief Executive Officer of Berlin Tourismus & Kongress GmbH. “The city of Berlin,” he continued, “which symbolises tolerance and freedom, is the perfect location for such a conference.”

In her keynote on 7 November, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Nadia Murad addresses the topics of human rights violations and sexual violence. As the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Dignity of Survivors of Human Trafficking, she is supporting global and local advocacy groups in establishing social communities in crisis areas. The prominent participants on the panels of experts also include Berlin stress researcher Dr.Mazda Adli. He investigates how life in large cities affects the mental health of its residents. Dr.Friederike Otto, Acting Director Environmental Change Institute at Oxford University, researches extreme weather phenomena caused by climate change. And could artificial intelligence (AI) replace creatives? Bestselling author and journalist Florian Illies looks at the relationship between culture and AI.

On the second day, Q BERLIN is inviting the Berlin startup infarm to the Martin Gropius Bau to discuss how far urban farming can offer sustainable solutions for food production in growing cities. At the Design Thinking Sprint organised by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS), participants start from the vision of a jobless world run by AI and machines to discuss the future of work. In the workshop on the “Smart City I DB programme”, the Deutsche Bahn is exploring ways of introducing coworking spaces at hub railway stations. At the James-Simon-Galerie, re:publica considers cross-disciplinary relationships in culture, political art and net activism. These Q IMMERSION events take conference participants to special locations, companies and institutions in the city to explore in depth the conference topics in talks, exhibitions and workshops.

Q BERLIN – An initiative by the city of Berlin

Q BERLIN celebrated its premiere in 2017. Over the last two years, speakers at Q BERLIN have not only included Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Muhammad Yunus and star architect Rem Koolhaas but also Nighat Dad, an internet activist from Pakistan, and the young Chinese multimedia artist Cao Fei. Their ideas have offered new perspectives on the pressing issues of today. Q BERLIN was launched on behalf of the city of Berlin. The conference is curated and organised by visitBerlin. More information and tickets on q.berlin.