We are delighted to invite you to the inaugural edition of Harvard Forum Vienna, a new discussion-driven event series reflecting Harvard’s tradition of rigorous inquiry and open debate.
For our first event, we are pleased to welcome Dr. Johannes Hahn, President of the Austrian National Bank and a three-time former European Commissioner, for a conversation on the theme:
“Europe’s Independence Moment?”
Following the postponement of our original April event, we are pleased to confirm that the conversation will now take place on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Europe is being tested.
Faced with geopolitical tension, energy insecurity, technological lag, and shifting alliances, the question is no longer whether Europe needs to adapt, but whether it can do so in time.
During his time at the European Commission, Dr. Hahn held several key portfolios, including Regional Policy and Urban Development, Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, and Budget and Administration. Drawing on this experience, he brings a rare insider perspective on how Europe works, where it falls short, and what it would take to become more resilient and competitive.
This will be a candid discussion. What are Europe’s real strengths, and are they enough? Can the EU overcome fragmentation and move at the pace required by today’s world? And what would a more independent Europe actually look like in practice?
Date
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Time
18:00
Location
Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB)
Otto-Wagner-Platz 3
1090 Vienna