Future Democracy: Who Shapes Our Future?

As part of the discussion series "Future Stories" and "Rethinking Things", funded by the Austrian Society for Political Education, Klaus Kofler and Prof. Dr. Sieglinde Rosenberger discuss the question: Who shapes our future? Democracy thrives not only on institutions but also on the engagement of people. But what happens when participation declines and trust in one's own effectiveness is lost?

Kofler, a futurist and founder of the Future Design Academy, and Rosenberger, an emeritus political scientist at the University of Vienna, explore how democracy remains alive through the courage to get involved, the ability to handle conflict, and a sense of responsibility. Rosenberger's research on participation, migration, and social movements meets Kofler's perspective as a shaper of the future. Together, they ask: How much room for maneuver does our democracy offer – and what are we willing to do for it?