ELEVATE DISCOURSE 2025: TRUST ISSUES

Under the theme “Trust Issues”, this years discourse programme will address the widespread crises of trust that define our time.

Trust is dwindling at all levels - towards institutions, the media, science, politics, but also in personal interactions between individuals. 

How did it get to the point where we hardly trust each other or ourselves anymore?

This year's festival edition will attempt to fathom the causes of this mistrust, shed light on ‘black boxes’, unravel the complex interplay between trust and action and explore trust-building measures - from our own neighbourhood to global future prospects despite or precisely because of the many crises.

The Heimatsaal at the Graz Volkskunde Museum will serve as the venue for three days of engaging and thought-provoking discussions featuring both national and international guests.

In its 21st year, the festival will once again offer a wide range of formats, including  panel discussions, lectures, films and interactive workshops, in order to shed light on these urgent issues from different perspectives, to break them down and reflect on them constructively.