Past Program

In the wake of the Second World War, three young men envisioned a new leadership for Europe: one based on shared intellectual understanding and respect and that strengthen transatlantic relations. And so, the Salzburg Seminar in American Civilization was launched. Much like then, today’s world needs renewed and better leadership to tackle the immense challenges we face and everexpanding divides we endure. Leadership that is inclusive and representative as well as long-sighted and visionary. Since 1947, Salzburg Global Seminar has been at the vanguard of global movements for change.

By engaging current and future leaders to identify the forces and people driving social progress, Salzburg Global Seminar has helped shape a better world for the last 75 years. Salzburg Global Fellows – whether like Ralph Ellison, Kofi Annan, Hillary Clinton, Kishore Mahbubani, Surin Pitsuwan and Paul Volcker, they attended programs as senior leaders in their field or like Ernst Jandl, Kristalina Georgieva, Jutta Limbach, Antony Blinken and Stacey Abrams, they participated earlier in their careers – all seek to make positive change in their communities, institutions and the world at large.

By bringing together leaders of both prominence and promise, we foster intergenerational and interdisciplinary exchange and inspire each other in new ways. During our 75th anniversary weekend, we will orchestrate a series of conversations with diverse current and future leaders. These anniversary conversations will focus on the ideas shaping the next 75 years, and ask what forces of global leadership will drive the next 75 years. Accompanying this weekend of engagement, dialogue, and debate, we will also open a new photography installation in Schloss Leopoldskron, showing the many faces of Salzburg Global Fellows – the kind of leaders we will need to realize a more creative, just, and sustainable future.