How can Europe defend its freedom in times of global crises?

"We absolutely have to move from shrinkage to growth - because Botox doesn't help," Günther H. Oettinger quipped dryly in his keynote speech. Laughter rippled through the rows before the former EU Commissioner and Minister President of Baden-Württemberg turned serious. He spoke about Europe's responsibility in a world in upheaval, about geopolitical dependencies and the question of how long freedom can still be taken for granted.

"Freedom is a foreign word for Trump," he warned, "and big brother USA is no longer there when things get bad for us." It is a reminder that Germany must finally grow up politically without relying on the protection of others. The young people from year 10 to 13 listened spellbound. "The truth is that Ukraine is fighting our war for democracy and freedom," said Oettinger. It is clear: freedom is not a state to be enjoyed - but a task to be accepted.

On this day, freedom was examined from very different perspectives. Seven workshops and numerous presentations invited the students to think along - from climate protection to security policy. Shaking hands with a NATO Major General, encouraging words from an FDP Secretary General and witty remarks from a former federal minister - the Lake Constance Youth Conference 2025 showed that there is no question of the "end of the liberal era". On the contrary: under this motto, the Graf-von-Soden-Forum at Zeppelin University showed how much willingness to engage in dialog and curiosity there is in the young generation.

Nicole Büttner, FDP Secretary General, translated the concept of liberalism into the present day for the young audience. She spoke about the feeling of being flooded with information on a daily basis and yet living in a world that is becoming ever narrower. Freedom, she said, is "the most priceless commodity" - and can only be preserved if everyone takes responsibility. She made it clear that liberalism not only means political conviction, but also personal responsibility.

This attitude was also reflected in the workshops. The exchange between young and old was impressively open. NATO Major General Detlev Simons began his workshop "The future of NATO: defending our liberal way of life" with a handshake for each participant - a small gesture that created closeness. The students asked eagerly: "Will there be war?" Simons answered honestly and defined his understanding of liberalism: freedom means understanding others. "There are two sides to dialog," he explained. Both sides must be prepared to approach each other, even if it becomes uncomfortable. He emphasized that dialogue is not a weakness, but a strength - especially when dealing with Russia and international conflicts.

Dr. Lea Corzilius, Chief Human Resources Officer of the ZF Group, echoed a similar conviction. For her, liberalism means above all responsibility for one another. "We have to value the freedom of others just as much as our own," she appealed - and emphasized that freedom becomes a mere empty phrase without consideration and empathy. Her words combined economic reality with an ethical attitude: those who want to live freedom must also shape it in cooperation.

Finally, Manuel Hagel, CDU top candidate for Baden-Württemberg, took to the stage. He emphasized that the country needs the courage to change. "A shitty analog process will always be a shitty digital process," he commented. Hagel pointed out that education and innovation should not be buzzwords, but that they are the basis for our future. A dedicated AI university should make Baden-Württemberg a pioneer.

For him, liberalism means seeing change not as a threat, but as an opportunity - while remaining true to his own roots. "The liberal spirit is at home here in Swabia anyway," he said with a smile. It resonated with pride: for a region that thinks tradition and future together.

As the evening drew to a close with food and drinks, there was a feeling of new beginnings in the air. "Those who think freedom think in generations," said Nicole Büttner. Perhaps that was the answer to the question that stood above everything else: not the end of the liberal era, but the chance for a young generation to continue writing it.

The student moderators Vinzenz Spannagel, Johanna Fleisch and Gabriel Hoensbroech from the Club of International Politics, who led the day in a relaxed and confident manner, took a step in this direction. They created exactly the kind of atmosphere in which dialog can take place - attentive, open, at eye level.