Sessions

Maritime security and the protection of critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea region are increasingly becoming the focus of business and politics. The workshop offers a compact overview of current challenges around ports as critical hubs of global supply chains as well as physical and digital threats to port operations and shipping. A particular focus will be on navigation risks caused by GNSS spoofing and jamming and their impact on maritime transport chains. In addition, the protection of strategically important infrastructure such as offshore energy plants, bridges and tunnels in the Baltic Sea region will be addressed. Practical examples and expert impulses invite participants to discuss resilience, cooperation and cross-border responsibility.

Speakers:

• Dr. Julian Pawlak, German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) (Germany)
• Dr. Gernot Tesch, Rostock Port GmbH (Germany)
• Ansis Zeltiņš, Freeport of Riga Authority (Latvia)
• Ralf Ziebold, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt / German Aerospace Center (Germany)  
• Aleksandrs Verdins, Electronic Communications Office of Latvia (Latvia)
• Nadja Ballauf, 50Hertz Transmission GmbH (Germany)
• Anders Jensen, NKT A/S (Denmark)
• Thor Magnus Rovik, Northern Europe Energy Group AS (Norway)
• Philip Dabrowski GASCADE Gastransporte GmbH (Germany)

Moderation:

Sven Olsen, Rostock Chamber of Industry and Commerce
Andreas Wenzel, German-Danish Chamber of Commerce

The Baltic Sea is a unique but particularly vulnerable ecosystem. Underwater noise, unexploded ordnance, and the consequences of climate change pose complex challenges for the region - at the same time, the Baltic Sea is a vital resource for industry and society. How can we protect it and use it sustainably at the same time? Experts from science, business, and practice come together to discuss innovative solutions and the strengthening of cross-border cooperation.

In order to comprehensively address these questions, the session is divided into two thematic blocks, which are then brought together in a joint discussion: The first part focuses on the health of the Baltic Sea. Current ecological challenges will be analyzed and innovative approaches to protecting the ecosystem will be presented. The second part deals with the sustainable use of Baltic Sea water and uses the practical example of seawater desalination to show how responsible management can be reconciled with ecological goals.

Speakers:

• Rüdiger Strempel, HELCOM, Finland
• Aurelija Samuiloviene, SEQUENCH, Lithuania
• Angela Schultz-Zehden, SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth EEIG, Berlin, Germany
• Dr. Anne Kleyböcker, Kompetenzzentrum Wasser Berlin, Germany
• Hasse Miltner, Kalundborg Utilities, Denmark
• Michael Fengler, Planungsverband Region Rostock, Germany

Organization and Moderation:
Dr. Franziska Schmacka, Ocean Technology Campus Rostock & Dr. Verena Schüren, Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI)

The relationship between economic success and employee well-being

Skills shortages, demographic change, mental exhaustion, AI pressure – we talk a lot about transformation.
But too rarely about the crucial issue: the state of the people who are supposed to bear the burden.
Wellbeing is not a ‘nice-to-have’, not a feel-good program and not just a private matter.
It is a key issue of economic, political and business development.
What happens if productivity collides with exhaustion? What happens if leadership chooses between control and trust?
What happens if prevention would be cheaper than repair – but still doesn't happen?

This workshop brings together politicians, social partners, companies and practitioners, offering best practice examples from Finland and Sweden. Rather than abstract concepts, it focuses on clear questions, realistic goals, and concrete impact.

What do people need to remain productive – today and in the future?

And what will it cost all of us if we continue to ignore this?

We don’t have just a series of lectures; instead, we focus on short presentations followed by group work at the themed tables. The team responsible for organising this: