Lena Schilling grew up with the climate movement and has become one of the most prominent and well-known activists in Austria. She helped organize the occupation of the Lobau and became the face of these protests; today she is committed to climate justice and social issues. But how can such concerns be addressed most effectively?

What networks both within civil society and internationally are necessary and possible in order to really change existing structures? How can social and political movements be created without them derailing? Can activists really challenge the power of multinational corporations, and break through the political incapacity of governments?

Philipp Blom talks to Lena Schilling about whether radical change is possible, and if so, how.

About the guest Lena Schilling:

Lena Schilling, born in Vienna in 2001, is an Austrian climate activist who came to public attention with the Fridays for Future movement. She was the spokesperson for the initiative for a supply chain law, is the founder of Jugendrat, and has been writing a weekly column in the Kronen Zeitung since June 2023. She is primarily committed to the issues of climate justice, feminism and migration.

About Philipp Blom:

Philipp Blom was born in Hamburg in 1970. After living and working in Oxford, London, and Paris, he is now based in Vienna. His historical works, essays, and novels have been translated into 16 languages and have received numerous awards, including a scholarship at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles and the German Non-Fiction Book Prize. Blom is also a prolific radio journalist and public speaker. Among his most recent German and English publications are: Diebe des Lichts, Karl Blessing 2021; Das große Welttheater, Zsolnay 2019; Eine italienische Reise, Hanser 2018; Was auf dem Spiel steht, Hanser 2017; Die Welt aus den Angeln, Hanser 2017 / Nature’s Mutiny; Bei Sturm am Meer, Zsolnay 2016; Die zerrissenen Jahre. 1918–1938, Hanser 2014; Böse Philosophen. Ein Salon in Paris und das vergessene Erbe der Aufklärung, Hanser 2011 / A Wicked Company; Der taumelnde Kontinent. Europa 1900–1914, Hanser 2009 / The Vertigo Years - Change and Culture in the West, 1900-1914

About the discussion series Dialogues for Tomorrow:

The debate series Dialogues for Tomorrow critically examines the present from multiple perspectives in order to create a better understanding of tomorrow.

Beginning in Fall 2022, Gerald Bast, rector of the University of Applied Arts Vienna, invited artists and experts to the new Café Exchange. The interdisciplinary conversations covered topics from the field of art, science, culture, technology and politics and give audiences a chance to join the discussion.

As a sequel of the series, the program is now broadened: In spring 2023 together with the Bruno Kreisky Forum and the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), the University of Applied Arts hosts experts from different disciplines to discuss future challenges. Ranging from climate change to democracies in crisis, current wars and social controversies: this time it is historian, journalist and author Philipp Blom who will be in conversation with renowned, innovative, intelligent and provocative international guests to talk about transformation, reasonable change, necessary steps and new conceptual spaces.