The program of the Development Conference 2025 in Innsbruck has been developed by the ARGE Development Conference. The conception took place in a process lasting several years, in which around 15 different actors were involved. The Paulo Freire Center is responsible for coordinating and managing the process.
Hier findet sich das deutschsprachige Programmheft.
Find the English version of the programme booklet here.
Friday, 21/11/2025, 1.00-4.30 p.m: Student pre-conference
As a preliminary programme to the Development Conference, in a pre-conference (ex-)students, young professionals, and interested others will be provided the opportunity to present and discuss their own work/ideas/projects in the field of “Peace, justice and strong institutions”. Find more information
HERE.
Friday, 21/11/2025, 2.30-4.30 pm: Meeting of Austrian Development Researchers
The Mattersburg Circle and its partners invite you to a networking meeting of all those involved in development research in Austria. Find more information
HERE.
Friday, 21/11/2025
5.00 p.m: Opening, welcome
- Veronika Sexl, Rector of the University of Innsbruck
- State Councilor Eva Pawlata, representing Governor Anton Mattle
- Envoy Raimund Magis, Head of the Department for Strategic Orientation of Austrian Development Policy, representing Section Head Peter Huber, Section VII EZA at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMeiA)
- Sybille Straubinger, Chairwoman of the Board of AG Globale Verantwortung (AG Global Responsibility)
5.30 p.m.: Global governance and geopolitics
What is the current status of the SDGs in general and SDG 16 in particular? What prospects can be expected for peace, justice and strong institutions in the face of increasing armament and polarization? An opening polylogue:
Moderation: Karin Fischer (Uni Linz/Mattersburg Circle)
approx. 7.30 p.m.: Buffet
Saturday, 22/11/2025:
9.00 a.m.: Welcome and brief introduction to the exhibition ‘Step by Step – Spaces for Democracy’ in the foyer by Caro Sommeregger (Südwind Tirol)
Followed by:
Talk with Gunther Schall (Autrian Development Agency - ADA, Head of Development Policy Communication):
Challenges facing the ADA in the current geopolitical climate.
9.15-10.30 a.m.:
Democracy, authoritarianism and the future of development policy. Expert contributions from science and civil society
Key note:
Stephan Klingebiel (Bonn)
Moderation: Andreas Obrecht (OeAD/appear)
10.30-11.00 a.m. coffee break
11.00-12.15 a.m.: Democracy, authoritarianism and the future of development policy. Discussion panel with Austrian members of parliament (state or federal).
- Antonio Della Rossa, Member of Parliament (SPÖ), spokesperson for Sustainable Development Goals
- Caroline Hungerländer, Member of the Vienna Provincial Parliament (ÖVP), spokesperson for integration, migration, and human rights for the Vienna People's Party
- David Stögmüller, Member of Parliament, Greens, Spokesperson for National Defense and Development Cooperation and LGBTQI+
- Dominik Oberhofer, Member of Parliament, Neos, Spokesperson for Europe, Transport, Tourism & South Tyrol and Regional Spokesperson for NEOS Tyrol
What does it mean when development policy is seen as an instrument of foreign and security policy by right-wing governments? What does a perspective that regards development cooperation as the enemy of neo-authoritarianism mean for Austria?
Plenary debate
Moderation: Andreas Obrecht (OeAD/appear)
12.30-2.00 p.m.: Lunch + break
2.00-3.30 p.m.: Round 1 of workshops
Workshops last 1,5 hours each and are intensively interactive and participant-oriented.
- HDP Nexus short dip. AG Global Responsibility, with Birgit Mayerhofer (freelance consultant and HDP-expert) [engl.]
- Project Work in Conflict-Affected Countries. Appear in Practice and Kooperation Entwicklungsforschung, with Caroline Paparu and Hafte Tesfay [engl.]
- Feminist decolonial solidarity in development cooperation and international cooperation (WIDE / VIDC); with Radwa Khaled-Ibrahim (medico international) [dt.]
- We and the others. An interactive performance about the encounter with the other and us. with Armin Staffler (spectACT) [german/engl.]
- Transforming norms, building futures: Justice and Empowerment for Massai Women in Tanzania. with Grace Scorey (Pastoral Women's Council, Tanzania) [engl.]
- What happened to the revolution? On the authoritarian turn in Nicaragua. Dora María Téllez in conversation with Ulrike Lunacek [German/Spanish with simultaneous interpreting]
- Sustainable tourism as an opportunity for development. Respect (Naturefriends International), with Anna Kodek and Thomas Wicander [german]
- How to link climate justice and peace work? Approaches & practical experiences. with Sophia Stanger (Austrian Center for Peace (ACP) and Juliana Krohn (EnviPeace, Department of Global Governance, Institute for Legal Studies/ University of Graz) [german]
- The rights of future generations. with Ana María Suárez Franco (FIAN International), Naomi Reinschmidt (ÖBV - Via Campesina), and Elisabeth Jost (FIAN Austria)[german]
- Indigenous Women Struggle for Visibility in the Peace and Justice Journey. with Shubhra Dwivedy, India (hosted by kfbö) [engl.]
- “Empower Ur Region*: 17 Goals - 17 Initiatives - Shaping the Future Together”. with Ulrike Dziurzynski and Ingrid Schwarz (Südwind Niederösterreich) [german]
- “Farewell to free trade - parting is painful: Towards a new era of customs policy”. with Theresa Kofler (Network Anders Handeln) and Lisa Mittendrein (Vienna Chamber of Labor) [german]
- Land Access and Institutions in Africa: Interdisciplinary Perspectives on State Authority, Participation and Conflict with Andreas Exenberger and Bettina Mahlert (University of Innsbruck) [german/engl.]
3.30-4.00 p.m. Coffee break
4.00-7.00 p.m.: Round 2 of workshops
The topics of the workshops of the 2nd round bring together regional and conceptual dimensions in their contradictory nature. As far as possible, a speaker from the Global South (which also includes the European periphery!) should take part in each of these workshops. A good mix of speakers from academia and NGOs will be sought, as well as a gender balance.
A. Human rights and environmental standards in a new era of globalization - perspectives for emancipatory action [english]
Host: Johannes Jäger (University of Applied Sciences BFI Vienna); Lukas Schmidt (FIAN Austria); Chamber of Labor (tbc)
With Ana María Suárez-Franco (FIAN International), Chandan Kumar (Unionist and Labour Politician), Thomas Dürmeier (Goliathwatch e.V.), and Patrick Bond (University of Johannesburg)
B. Nexus Women - Peace - Climate Justice [engl.]
Host: Claudia Thallmayer (WIDE) and trans:verse
With Jennifer Pitter-Lopez (Light for the World), Julia Scharinger (trans:verse) and Grettel Navas (Chile)
Moderator: Birgit Mayerhofer (trans:verse)
C. Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) [engl.]
Host: Martina Neuwirth (VIDC/Mattersburger Kreis), with Luckystar Miyandazi (African Union), Anesa Agovic (Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime), and Mellissa Tullis (UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)
D. Thinking justice - creating peace: Scenarios for a future worth living [german]
Host: über:morgen – Atelier für Zukunftsgestaltung, Friedensbüro Salzburg, PH Salzburg
With Helga Mayr (über:morgen - Atelier für Zukunftsgestaltung) and Barbara Sieberth (Friedensbüro Salzburg)
E. Tirol post/colonial - the global in the regional [german]
Host: Welthaus Innsbruck, Institute of contemporary history at University Innsbruck
With Nicolas Bleck (
Welthaus Innsbruck), Laura Kogler (Ötztal Museum), and Eric Burton (University of Innsbruck)
7.00 p.m.: Dinner / Buffet
8.00-9.30 p.m.: Forum theater performance: “Das Kuchenstück” (spectACT - Association for Political and Social Theatre)
The highlight of the second evening of the conference will be the “Dernière”, the final performance of the forum theater play “Das Kuchenstück” by spectACT, the association for political and social theater.
Sunday, 23/11/2025:
9.00-9.15 a.m.: Morning introduction – with a short presentation of the exhibition
‘Ötztal Worldwide. Out of the Valley – Into the Valley’ and reflections on the city tour
‘Innsbruck Postcolonial’ by Nicolas Bleck (Welthaus Innsbruck)
9.15-10.45 a.m.: Peace and conflict management (Women, Peace and Security)
In the concluding plenary session, the feminist perspective will be emphasized and a reference to UN Resolution 1325 will be made.
Moderation: Rina Alluri (Univ. Innsbruck)
10.45-11.15 a.m.: Coffee break
11.15 a.m.-12.30 p.m.: Equity and Environmental Justice
Plenary presentations on environmental justice as a relevant aspect of SDG 16, with a perspective on strategies and solutions.
- Grettel Navas (Chile, currently visiting professor PoWi Uni Vienna)
Moderation: Andreas Exenberger (Univ. Innsbruck)
12.30: Rapporteurs report of Ulli Vilsmaier und Felice Marchlewski
12.45-13.00 p.m.: Conclusion & farewell greeting
Supporting program:
- Information booths of the participating organizations
- Bookstall of the Mattersburg Circle
- Child care
