ABS News April 2025

Editorial
Presidential Message - Realist And Optimist
March: Outstanding ABS Events
ABS in April
ABS Code Of Conduct
ABS Goes Arabia
ABS Policy Papers
Angela Krosik Award of the Anglo-Austrian Society
The Last Page

Dear Members and Friends of the ABS,

The news leaves us speechless – day after day! Whether at home or abroad, nothing seems to be reasonable and logically explainable anymore. Stability seems to be lost. Everywhere? No, not everywhere.

The Austro-British Society offers exactly what you urgently need right now: continuous implementation of events of the highest quality and social contacts and valuable friendships with like-minded people who allow humorous conversations. So please stay with us – take advantage of what we have to offer and escape from the dreariness of the daily news!

It is a pleasure for us, as honorary board members, to work for you alongside our President. And once again, in this issue of ABS News, we summarise what has recently been on offer and what is coming up in April. We look forward to seeing you!

Warm regards,

Yours Jochen Ressel,

ABS Secretary General & ABS News Editor-in-Chief

PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGE

Realist And Optimist

There’s no doubt that we are living in challenging, unsettling and complex times – not only in Austria, but across Europe and indeed the whole world. People respond to this in different ways. Some bury their heads in the sand, hoping that “it’ll all work out in the end” – an attitude recently criticised by Christian Ortner in Die Presse as naive, even childish. Personally, I believe that being paralysed by fear is just as unhelpful.

Yes, these are serious and often deeply problematic times. That’s why Europe – the EU – is in urgent need of an effective security and defence policy. For seventy years, we’ve been asleep, relying far too heavily on the United States. But there comes a time when children – or those under protection – must grow up and stand on their own. For Europe, that process has taken far too long.

As a realistic optimist (which I don’t see as a contradiction), I’m convinced that Europe is finally waking up. And it is beginning to assert itself – not just economically, but also politically and militarily – on equal footing with the "one-man shows" we see in Russia, the US, China, North Korea, and indeed Turkey and Hungary. Unfortunately, this transformation will demand time, energy, strong leadership and financial resources. But a genuine crisis mode is now required. I know from my own experience how global corporations respond successfully in such situations – whether Europe can do the same in the foreseeable future remains to be seen. But as the saying goes: hope is the last thing to die.

In contrast to these heavy themes, we’re offering two special events this April to lift the spirit and offer a different perspective:

On 7 April, we’ll be visiting the Order of Malta's relief corps MALTESER Hospitaldienst Austria in Vienna. Their Commander, Johann-Philipp Spiegelfeld, will share insights into their work in social services, emergency medical aid and disaster relief. This visit will highlight the outstanding contributions made every day by civil society organisations – an example of quiet strength in action.
Then, on 22 April, we’ll have the pleasure of welcoming Kammerschauspieler Cornelius Obonya. He will speak to us about the challenges of successful opera productions. Not only will this inspire and uplift us personally – it will also serve as a vivid reminder of the vital role that art and culture play in human well-being, especially during times of tension and crisis.

Best wishes,

Prof KR Dr Kurt Tiroch
ABS President

OUTSTANDING MARCH EVENTS

Know-how Transfer On Highest Level

Once again, a large number of ABS Members turned up for the March events – and not without good reason, as the events were once again of a very high calibre! If you didn't attend, you missed out! Here we provide the follow-up reports and photos of these highlights.

'The economic situation in Austria'

A lecture with Prof. Dr. Holger Bonin (Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies) at the Diplomatic Academy
CLICK HERE

'Peacemaking in Modern History'

A lecture with Prof ret. Dr Lothar Höbelt (Austrian historian specializing in modern European history) at Café Ministerium.
CLICK HERE

We Keep On Saying: REGISTER QUICKLY!

Registering quickly will help you avoid being put on the waiting list and the embarrassment of turning up to the event without registering and possibly being turned away because there is no more space. The April events suggest that these will also be booked up quickly! We look forward to welcoming you!

April 7, 2025 - 7pm

We visit the relief corps of the Order of Malta and meeting the well-known ORF moderator, Johann-Philipp Spiegelfeld. The inivitation has already been sent - have a try if there are seats available.

April 22, 2025 - 6pm

The famous Austrian actor Cornelius Obonya is our guest and we are getting first-hand information how a stage-production is developing. The invitation follows soon. Have we mentioned that early registering is helpful?

The 10 Commandments Of The Austro-British Society

With a wink between humorous and yet enigmatic:

Thou shalt not honour any other ABS President than the One.
Thou shalt not sully the name of the ABS.
Thou shalt honour the events of the ABS and not forget to register early.
Thou shalt honour voluntary ABS Board members who dedicate their time and energy to the implementation of activities.
Thou shalt not be rude when ABS Board members act according to the rules.
Thou shalt not attend ABS Events unannounced.
You shall inform ABS if you are unable to attend events.
Thou shalt show consideration for others at ABS Event buffets and only catch up when other guests have already been fed.
Thou shalt not request your neighbour's seat.
Thou shalt covet to read the ABS Blogs and Policy papers.

Now It's Time To Make Your Booking

You want to meet the CEO of the world's largest oil company? You want to visit the production sites of this giant company? And you want to experience Arabia in a well-organised travel? ABS makes all this possible! A few weeks ago you have received the invitation to the outstanding trip

October 5-13, 2025 to Saudia Arabia, visiting the ARAMCO oil company.

If you want to take advantage of this special opportunity, it's now time to book! For your convenience, please find all details here:

Saudi Arabia - Travel information

Saudi Arabia - Registration form

New ABS Policy Papers Published

Two further high-quality ABS Policy Papers have recently been published. This special service for members of our society offers first-class information on current topics – going beyond what is communicated in the mass media. In doing so, the ABS is fulfilling its self-imposed educational mission.

ABS Policy Paper No. 38

Five Years of Brexit: Lessons, Challenges, and the Way Forward
By Wolfgang Geissler and Colin Munro
CLICK HERE

ABS Policy Paper No. 39

Geopolitical turbulence has put UK-EU differences in perspective!
by Sir Julian King, former EU Commissioner for security (from 2016 – 2019).
CLICK HERE

An Award for Doctoral Study of the Anglo-Austrian Society

The Anglo-Austrian Society proposes to make a further award for doctoral study, funded from the Angela Krosik Bequest.

The award is available from the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year. Applications can be submitted from 18th March 2025. Closing date: 30th June 2025.

For information about eligibility, value of the award and conditions, see below