The second edition of the European tolerance talks from 11 to 14 May 2016 in Carinthia’s picturesque mountain village Fresach has been very well received by politicians and the media as well as by the lecturers and guests. Thanks to numerous radio broadcasts, newspaper reports and online publications, the media coverage compared to 2015 was even further increasing. More than 800 visitors followed the events locally. All discussions can be accessed via mediathek of the organizer Denk.Raum.Fresach (DRF). Poto: Superintendent Manfred Sauer with Bishop Alois Schwarz. “We are extremely pleased that we were able to beat the media echo of last year again,” said DRF chairman Manfred Sauer at the first assessment meeting. The president of the Council of the European tolerance talks, Hannes Swoboda, evaluated mainly the positive consequences. “With this dialogue forum Carinthia and civil society here are able to send out a positive signal for the reasonable use of the challenges of our time. In a sea of hate postings on social networks and negative coverage in the traditional media, it is good to hear solutions-oriented approaches and to discuss. ” The theme of the event (The borders of Europe – Human Rights and the Consequences of Climate Change) brought the current wrangling in Europe about the increasing numbers of refugees to the point. Many speakers were received on the causes of these developments and trying to spot out recipes or solutions. In particular, the opening speech of the former head of the World Environment Programme UNEP, Prof. Klaus Töpfer, and the estimates of US civil rights activist Stephen Bradberry were very revealing. Numerous visitors were positive about the contributions of the present speakers. For this feedback a special section on the Fresach website was set up. The four-day event was funded largely through public funding and private sponsors, partnerships and ticket sales, the costs amounted to approximately 92,600 euros, an increase of 67.4% compared to 2015. For 2017, the program is extended to five days, with a slight increase in the budget. The event from May 30 to June 3, 2017 will be dedicated to the subject of “The Future of Freedom – Europe’s Civil Society and the Consequences of Globalization”. For this also religion and globalization critics, Internet researcher and political scientist, in addition to numerous authors will be invited to Fresach. The organizers want to continue the tradition of the Fresach writers conference (1972-1993) and the East-West dialogue.
