Global Green Deals Forum 2020

Ecological changes are one of the central challenges of our time. But how can it be carried out in a socially just manner? This question was at the heart of the international GLOBAL GREEN DEALS FORUM held by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation on 1 October 2020. Because of COVID-19, the forum originally planned as a live event took on a hybrid format. In so-called “In Focus” sessions, controversial discussions took place in the studio set up by facts and fiction. Some of the discussion participants were physically present, others joined digitally. A livestream of the event was accessible to all those interested and was simultaneously translated live into four languages. The opinions of the viewers in front of their screens were incorporated into the discussions through surveys. In addition, they were able to participate in fifteen interactive laboratories, in some cases running parallel, where interested people from all over the world had the opportunity to communicate and develop action strategies together.

The stage set drew on the theme of sustainability, as well as playful analogue elements. Digitally connected discussion participants were brought into the discussion circle on monitors and had their own glass of water – to create an approachable overall image. A piano that provided entertainment during the breaks was also incorporated in the stage set as required. This resulted in a rethought concept due to the pandemic, which ultimately enabled more participation than would have been possible at a live event with the COVID-19 restrictions.