The panel “What will be the consequences of NATO enlargement?” is the sixth online discussion of the Warsaw European Forum, an annual event organized by the Kultura Liberalna Foundation together with the financial support of the Foundation of Polish-German Cooperation, Zeit Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius Foundation and the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The video is available with subtitles in Ukrainian | Відео доступне з українськими субтитрами

Programme & Speakers

10.15 – Welcome & Opening remarks: Karolina Wigura
10.30 – Kick-off statements

• Andreas Umland, Analyst at the SCEEUS and Associate Professor of Political Science at the NaUKMA.
• Leila Alieva, Affiliate of REES at University of Oxford’s School of Global and Area Studies.
• Oleksandr Sushko, Executive Director of the International Renaissance Foundation.
• Maxim Trudolyubov, Senior Advisor at the Kennan Institute and the Editor-at-Large of Meduza.

Chair: Karolina Wigura, Kultura Liberalna Foundation, Richard von Weiszäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy.

11.10 – Discussion
12.00 – Closing remarks

Discussion participants:

Cornelius Ochmann, Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation –

Tomasz Wardyński, Wardyński & Partners –

Anna Hofmann, Zeit-Stiftung –

Rosenka Babinets, Zeit-Stiftung –

Jarosław Kuisz, Kultura Liberalna –

Jakub Bodziony, Kultura Liberalna –

Mykola Riabchuk, Ukrainian PEN Center –

Eugeniusz Smolar, Centre for International Relations –

The panel “Integration and disintegration tendencies in the EU in the context of the war in Ukraine” is the fifth online discussion of the Warsaw European Forum, an annual event organized by the Kultura Liberalna Foundation together with the financial support of the Foundation of Polish-German Cooperation, Zeit Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius Foundation and the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The video is available with subtitles in Ukrainian | Відео доступне з українськими субтитрами

Programme & Speakers

14.15 – Welcome & Opening remarks (Karolina Wigura)
14.30 – Kick-off statements of the speakers

Panelists:

• Eugeniusz Smolar, Senior Fellow at the Center for International Relations, former Director of the Polish Section, BBC World Service.
• Robert Cooper, Member of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
• Mark Leonard, Co-founder and Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
• Sylvie Kauffmann, Editorial director of Le Monde, now at sabbatical with the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin.
• Petro Burkovskyi, Executive Director, Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation.

Chair: Karolina Wigura, Kultura Liberalna Foundation, member of the Board, Richard von Weiszäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin.

15.30 – Discussion
16.00 – Closing remarks

Discussion participants:

Cornelius Ochmann, Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation –

Tomasz Wardyński, Wardyński & Partners –

Kacper Szulecki, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs –

Konstanty Gebert, Journalist, Kultura liberalna –

Anna Hofmann, Zeit-Stiftung –

Iryna Solonenko, Center for Liberal Modernity –

Marta Poslad, CEE & Transatlantic Public Policy, Google –

Lucie Haupenthal, European Council on Foreign Relations –

Jakub Bodziony, Kultura Liberalna –

The panel “Long-term Consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus” is the fourth online discussion of the Warsaw European Forum, an annual event organized by the Kultura Liberalna Foundation together with the financial support of the Foundation of Polish-German Cooperation, Zeit Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius Foundation and the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The video is available with subtitles in Ukrainian | Відео доступне з українськими субтитрами

Programme & Speakers

10.15 – Welcome & Opening remarks
10.30 – Kick-off statements of the speakers

Panelists:

• Konstanty Gebert, Journalist, formerly with “Gazeta Wyborcza”, now with “Kultura liberalna” in Warsaw
• Claus Offe, Professor em. of Political Science at Hertie School of Governance, Humboldt University in Berlin
• Yevhen Hlibovytsky, Founder of pro.mova, a think tank and a consultancy in Kyiv and Lviv
• Christine Ockrent, Journalist, columnist and writer based in Paris, France Culture

Chair: Karolina Wigura, Kultura Liberalna Foundation, member of the Board, Richard von Weiszäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin

11.00 – Discussion
12.00 – Closing remarks

We launched this series in March 2022, focusing on the various issues related to the war in Ukraine and believing that at a time when we are dominated by the news, we need to think in categories at least medium-term and, if possible, long-term.

Discussion participants:

Cornelius Ochmann, Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation –

Ralf Fuecks, Center for Liberal Modernity –

Anna Hofmann, Zeit-Stiftung –

Rosenka Babinets, Zeit-Stiftung –

Jarosław Kuisz, Kultura Liberalna –

Yaroslava Marusyk, University of Groningen –

Tomasz Wardyński, Wardyński & Partners –

Milan Nič, Alfred von Oppenheim Center –

Jakub Bodziony, Kultura Liberalna –

Aysel Aliyeva, Zentrum Liberale Moderne –

The panel “Europe without Russian energy: is it possible, when, what will that mean? Closer integration or survival of the fittest?” is the third online discussion of the Warsaw European Forum, an annual event organized by the Kultura Liberalna Foundation together with the financial support of the Foundation of Polish-German Cooperation, Zeit Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius Foundation and the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The video is available with subtitles in Ukrainian | Відео доступне з українськими субтитрами

Programme & Speakers

10.15 – Welcome & Opening remarks (Karolina Wigura & Ursula Weidenfeld)
10.30 – Kick-off statements of the speakers

Panelists:

• Ralf Fücks, Zentrum Liberale Moderne in Berlin
• Kacper Szulecki, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, Kultura Liberalna in Warsaw
• Yaroslava Marusyk, University of Groningen
• Elina Brutschin, International Institute for Applied System Analysis in Laxenburg

Chair: Ursula Weidenfeld, freelance economic journalist in Berlin
11.00 – Discussion
12.00 – Closing remarks

Discussion participants:

Cornelius Ochmann, Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation –

Karolina Wigura, Kultura Liberalna, Robert Bosch Academy –

Filip Rudnik, Kultura Liberalna, Esperis Consulting –

Anna Hofmann, Zeit-Stiftung –

Rosenka Babinets, Zeit-Stiftung –

Jarosław Kuisz, Kultura Liberalna –

Tomasz Sawczuk, Kultura Liberalna –

Mykola Riabchuk, Ukrainian PEN Center –

Aysel Aliyeva, Zentrum Liberale Moderne –

Lukas Daubner, Zentrum Liberale Moderne –

Long-term Consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for the transatlantic relations and for EU’s strategic independence

This panel is the second discussion of the Warsaw European Forum, an annual event organized by the Kultura Liberalna Foundation together with the financial support of the Foundation of Polish-German Cooperation, Zeit Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius Foundation and the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The video is available with subtitles in Ukrainian | Відео доступне з українськими субтитрами

Programme & Speakers

10.15 – Welcome & Opening remarks (Karolina Wigura)
10.30 – Kick-off statements of the speakers

Panelists:

• François Heisbourg, International Institute for Strategic Studies in London, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique in Paris
• Eugeniusz Smolar, Center for International Relations in Warsaw
• Yaroslav Hrytsak, Ukrainian Catholic University, Institute for Historical Studies of the Ivan Franko National University in Lviv
• Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook, Global Public Policy Institute in Berlin

Chair: Karolina Wigura, Kultura Liberalna in Warsaw, Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin

11.00 – Discussion
12.00 – Closing remarks

Discussion participants:

Anna Hofmann, Zeit-Stiftung –

Rosenka Babinets, Zeit-Stiftung –

Iryna Solonenko, Center for Liberal Modernity –

Jakub Bodziony, Kultura Liberalna –

Marcin Olender, Google –

Jarosław Kuisz, Kultura Liberalna –

Tomasz Sawczuk, Kultura Liberalna –

Long-term Consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for Europe, with a special focus on Poland and Germany

The panel “Long-term Consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for Europe, with a special focus on Poland and Germany” is a part of the Warsaw European Forum, an annual event organized by the Kultura Liberalna Foundation together with the Foundation of Polish-German Cooperation and Zeit Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius Foundation, with the kind support from the Fritt Ord Foundation.

The video is available with subtitles in Ukrainian | Відео доступне з українськими субтитрами

Programme & Speakers

10.15 – Welcome & Opening remarks (Karolina Wigura)
10.30 – Kick-off statements of the speakers

Panelists:

• Marieluise Beck, Zentrum Liberale Moderne in Berlin
• John Lough, Chatham House in London
• Adam Daniel Rotfeld, University of Warsaw
• Mykola Riabchuk, Ukrainian PEN Center

Chair: Karolina Wigura, Kultura Liberalna in Warsaw, Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow, Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin

11.00 – Discussion
12.00 – Closing remarks

Due to the rapidly changing situation, the Warsaw European Forum is taking a different form. Instead of one long conference we decided to organize several online discussions, which will take place in March, April and May. Each event will focus on a different issue related to the main theme and will hopefully provide a long-term perspective on this war, which at the moment is mostly talked about in immediate terms.

Discussion participants:

Anna Hofmann, Zeit-Stiftung –

Rosenka Babinets, Zeit-Stiftung –

Cornelius Ochmann, Foundation for Polish-German Cooperation –

Eugeniusz Smolar, Centre for International Relations –

Filip Rudnik, Kultura Liberalna –

Iryna Solonenko, Center for Liberal Modernity –

Jarosław Kuisz, Kultura Liberalna –

Kacper Szulecki, Kultura Liberalna, Norwegian Institute –

Kyrylo Tkachenko –

Leila Alieva –

Piotr Buras, European Council on Foreign Relations –

Tomasz Sawczuk, Kultura Liberalna –

Tomasz Wardyński, Wardyński & Partners –

Edition 5 of the Cracking Borders, Rising Walls conference series

Streaming live on Kultura Liberalna’s Facebook page and Youtube profile.

PROGRAMME:

18.00: Opening of the debate:

Janusz Majcherek, Deputy Director of the Polish Theatre
Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw

18.15: Opening remarks

Timothy Garton Ash, University of Oxford

Chair – Jarosław Kuisz, Kultura Liberalna

18.45: First panel: Green Liberalism: A Remedy for Europe’s Crises?

The aim of the panel is a parallel diagnosis of the place where liberalism is today in the face of
various crises and the indication of potential paths in which it may develop in the future. We will be
looking particularly closely at the concept of green liberalism and, consequently, the European Green
Deal – we will ask about the potential of these projects to become the cornerstone of politics in the
coming decades.

Panellists:

Ralf Fücks, Zentrum Liberale Moderne (kick-off for the discussion)
Natalie Nougayrède, The Guardian
Nina Witoszek, University of Oslo
Sebastian Oberthür, GOVTRAN
Joanna Maria Stolarek, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Tomasz Sawczuk, Kultura Liberalna

Chair: Agnieszka Lichnerowicz, TOK FM

Break: 19.45-20.00

20.00: Second panel: Democracy after Covid-19. Strengthened or Weakened?

The panel aims to discuss the state of democracy, and liberal democracy in particular, in the face of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The actions of governments in combating COVID-19 are overwhelmingly negatively perceived by citizens. During the panel, we will answer the question as to where these reactions come from. The relationship between politicians and experts will also be discussed in this context. The coronavirus pandemic has brought about restrictions on an unprecedented scale. Are we getting used to the restrictions and how do they affect democracies? We will talk about reactions to the restrictions in various countries and their sources. We will also talk about the revolutions during the coronavirus times – from the Black Lives Matter protests to movements such as QAnon. The panel will aim to summarise these phenomena and to answer the question of what the balance sheet of such changes looks like.

Panellists:

Kick-off for the discussion – Jan-Werner Müller, Princeton University, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin

Mark Leonard, ECFR
Zdzisław Krasnodębski, MEP
Paola Mattei, University of Milan
Anna Lührmann, V-Dem Institute
Will Dobson, Journal of Democracy
Karolina Wigura, Kultura Liberalna

Chair: Dariusz Rosiak, Author of the Podcast “State of the World Report”

Guests:
Timothy Garton Ash, University of Oxford
Jarosław Kuisz, Kultura Liberalna
Ralf Fücks, Zentrum Liberale Moderne
Natalie Nougayrède, The Guardian
Sebastian Oberthür, GOVTRAN
Nina Witoszek, University of Oslo
Joanna Stolarek, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
Tomasz Sawczuk, Kultura Liberalna
Agnieszka Lichnerowicz, TOK FM
Jan-Werner Müller, Princeton University, Wissenschaftskolleg zu Berlin
Mark Leonard, ECFR
Zdzisław Krasnodębski, MEP
Paola Mattei, University of Milan
Anna Lührmann, V-Dem Institute
Will Dobson, Journal of Democracy
Karolina Wigura, Kultura Liberalna
Dariusz Rosiak, Author of the Podcast “State of the World Report”

This year the Warsaw European Forum is accompanied by a unique seminar, which seeks to stir the discussion and expand on the topics raised during the conference – the climate crisis and ‘green’ liberalism.

The point of departure for our discussion is the dual challenge to the liberal ideal of freedom posed by the conjuncture of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasingly pressing climate crisis. In the aftermath of the pandemic shock and in the face of increasing environmental pressure, what is the future for freedom, both economic and political? Does the coordinated response of European Union member states lead us to a ‘planned economy’ or is it merely a long belated correction of globalization and a capitalist system gone astray, which sparked these crises in the first place? Following the response to COVID-19 which involved political exceptionalism and top-down restrictions on individual freedom, we might also worry about similar limitations to our lifestyles, mobility and established habits justified by climate change mitigation. At the same time, a broader responsibility for societies, local communities, vulnerable individuals and finally–the planetary system–requires self-limitation. How can liberalism strike a new balance between individual freedoms and responsibility? When is state coercion a threat to freedom and when is it an unavoidable corrective that protects citizens from asocial libertarianism and anarchy? Finally – what is the promise of the European Green Deal vision? Is it merely a technocratic plan which will further boost the power of European Commission bureaucrats or to the contrary – a hope for turning European societies towards sustainability, justice, and the revival of liberal democracy following the hard blows sustained from populist challengers in the last decade?

Ralf Fücks (Center for Liberal Moder­nity) and Dr. Kacper Szulecki (University of Oslo) will introduce the topic and present their views on a “green” liberalism which can respond to these new challenges. However, the ultimate aim of the seminar is to give the floor first and foremost to its participants. We hope to develop a mutual understanding of liberalism’s future and identity in the times of climate crisis, COVID-19 pandemic and various solutions, like the European Green Deal.

11.00-12.00 Webinar, Part I

Input for the discussion: Ralf Fücks

12.00-12.15 Break

12.15-13.15 Webinar, Part II

Input for the discussion and summary of the first part: Kacper Szulecki

Guests:
Ralf Fücks, Zentrum Liberale Moderne
Dr. Kacper Szulecki, University of Oslo

Introduction, Ralf Fücks (Zentrum Liberale Moderne):

Kacper Szulecki’s statement (University of Oslo, Kultura Liberalna):

Full webinar:

Phot. Szymon Aksiemionek