The “Geist & Gegenwart” dialogue forum was launched in 2005 by the Styrian Government in cooperation with the Diocese of Graz-Seckau. After its successful start in 2005, this year’s forum was held from 24 to 26 May 2007 in the inspiring atmosphere of Seggauberg Castle. Featuring distinguished speakers who gave interesting talks on the general theme of “Europe. Dreams and Traumas”, the forum met with a very warm reception. To help generate a discourse with long-term impact that will provide impulses for further discussion, Kristina Edlinger-Ploder, Member of the Styrian Government, will regularly invite prominent speakers to the “Geist & Gegenwart” dialogue series in Graz, which will take place several times a year to supplement the biennial symposium at Seggauberg Castle. At these dialogue events, internationally recognised experts will give talks on important topics of our time and will also engage in discussion.

“Geist & Gegenwart” is coordinated by the Styrian Government’s Department for Science and Research, which is headed by Kristina Edlinger-Ploder. The 2007 dialogue forum was made possible thanks to the generous support of the departments headed by First Deputy Governor Hermann Schützenhofer (Minister for Tourism), Kristina Edlinger-Ploder (Minister for Science and Research) and Christian Buchmann (Minister for Economic Affairs and Innovation).