Eyes on the future: Erfurt Congress on social transformation 2025!

Eyes on the future: Erfurt Congress on social transformation 2025!

For the second time in a row, the Erfurt Congress Center is being transformed into a stage for discussions about the future of our welfare state. The big event will take place from September 16th to 18th, 2025 under the motto “Transformations · Social · Making”, which is organized by the German Association for Public and Private Welfare. V. is organized. Around 1,500 participants come together here, including practitioners, high-ranking guests from a wide range of areas and scientists, to discuss crucial social change processes.

A wide range of topics are examined in over 40 specialist forums, focusing on both current challenges and future-oriented approaches. It's about the tensions in society and how social can ensure cohesion. The upheaval in the world of work, which hovers between artificial intelligence and a shortage of skilled workers, is also discussed. A third central symposium will focus on climate change – both social and ecological. These topics hit the nerve of the times, as the pressure on our food system and our environment is constantly increasing.

Social challenges in focus

In recent years it has become clear that Western consumption patterns not only promote health problems such as obesity or coronary heart disease, but also have significant environmental impacts, such as the loss of biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions. Loud polsoz.fu-berlin.de The growing global population combined with changing dietary habits is a major issue that requires more sustainable food systems.

In order to meet these challenges, the “Social-ecological transformation of the food system” project is being launched under the leadership of the Federal Environment Agency. The aim of this project is to analyze novel policy intervention options within the food system and to further develop the important area of ​​transformation research. The consortium from which this project emerges consists of organizations such as NAHhaft e.V. and the FU-Berlin, which have made it their mission to achieve sustainable goals through technical, social and institutional innovations.

Patronage and support

A special highlight of the event is the patronage of Federal Minister for Education, Family, Seniors, Women and Youth, Karin Prien. She will accompany the event and thereby underlines the relevance that these discussions have on a political level. The organizing team would also like to thank the state capital Erfurt and the Free State of Thuringia for their support, which means that a real community effort is taking place here.

The event promises to bring in diverse perspectives and innovative approaches while at the same time offering space for networking and exchange. It remains to be seen what specific measures will emerge from the discussions. One thing is certain, however: the transformation of society and the welfare state is not just a slogan, but a necessity that we all have to face.