Share on X Share on Facebook Share on LinkedIn Email this page Print this page Photo by: Elena Azzalini, 2022 In October 2022, during a trip to Europe, 16 LISD Student Associates traveled to Vienna and had the opportunity to engage with diplomats, NGOs and the private sector representatives, journalists, members of civil society and Ukrainian refugees. All of our interlocutors made their way to the old imperial city to live, work, and practice politics and diplomacy – both in its most formal and public conditions, as well as in Track II and private contexts. Highlights included a candid briefing on the challenges of sanctions on the individual as well as financial institutions; learning about the current status of high-level negotiations surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA); sitting in on a session of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Permanent Council; hearing from high-ranking current-serving Austrian officials; and receiving exclusive tours of grand historical spaces, usually off-limits to visitors outside of government, the diplomatic corps, or family. Dr. Johan Strobl, CEO of Raiffeisen Bank International (RBI), welcomed the group and shared candid and insightful remarks about the challenges of trade, commercial, and investment banking in contemporary Central and Eastern Europe. [© Lauren Schwartz, 2022] Dr. Franz Zobl, an economist at RBI, augmented Dr. Stobl’s remarks with an analysis and presentation which compared the current inflationary situation and energy crisis to historical precedents from the 1970s. [© Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, 2022] While still at RBI headquarters, students met journalist Stephanie Liechtenstein, one of the few independent and female journalists covering the negotiations on the JCPOA or “Iran Agreement” – and widely recognized as one of the leading authorities on the subject globally. [© Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, 2022] Following her presentation, Liechtenstein joined the students for a generous buffet dinner and continued in-depth discussion. [© Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, 2022] LISD Student Associates met with Ambassador Florian Raunig, Chair of the Economic and Environmental Committee at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe headquarters. LISD Student Associates attended briefings on the topic of "Current affairs of OSCE in light of the ongoing crisis of Multilateralism and the war against Ukraine" at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe headquarters. LISD Student Associates attending the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Photo by: Micky Kroell, 2022 LISD Student Associates attending the Permanent Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe. Photo by: Micky Kroell, 2022 LISD Student Associates visited the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries's secretariat for briefings on short-term oil market developments and long-term energy market forecasting. Photo by: OPEC, 2022 Sara von Moos of Vienna's Feel Good Store presents on the topic of "Human Costs of war- Ukrainians in Vienna". Photo by: Elena Azzalini, 2022 The LISD Delegation was warmly welcomed by the Feel Good Store team and enjoyed a traditional Ukrainian dinner, prepared and served by Ukrainian refugees. Photo by: Elena Azzalini, 2022 Students traveled to the third UN global headquarters, the Vienna International City (VIC), for a series of meetings with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. [© Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, 2022] Group photo of the LISD delegation at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Photo by: Elena Azzalini, 2022 LISD Student Associates listening to a speech by Secretary General Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Austrian Permanent Undersecretary of State, at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Photo by: Elena Azzalini, 2022 Secretary General Launsky-Tieffenthal was eager to emphasize that Austria’s military neutrality has no bearing on its strong political support for Ukraine.[ © Elena Azzalini, 2022] Our delegation was invited to the official residence of the Austrian Federal President - a unique Austrian Imperial Experience in 2022. Photo by: Elena Azzalini, 2022 Our LISD delegation arriving at the official residence of the Austrian Federal President. Photo by: Elena Azzalini, 2022 Students were received by Katharina Cede-Lugstein, who provided a tour of the diplomatic reception rooms and offices of the Federal President of the Republic of Austria – spaces usually only accessible to government officials and diplomats accredited to the Republic. [© Elena Azzalini, 2022] Cede-Lugstein then hosted the students for coffee and a conversation about the role of the President in the Austrian federal system, and an overview of the constitutional structure of the state. She emphasized the limited powers but moral force and prerogative of the office of the Federal President, exercised and exemplified in the current office holder, Alexander van der Bellen. [© Elena Azzalini, 2022] The students and the American Deputy Chief of Mission, Mario Mesquita were welcomed by Ambassador Prince Stefan von und zu Liechtenstein to the Garten Palais Liechtenstein. Meeting in the private library of the Liechtenstein family, Mr. Mesquita emphasized Austria’s importance as an ally to the United States, especially on issues of liberal democratic values and economic investment. [© Lauren Schwartz, 2022] Attending a performance at the Wiener Staatsoper. [© Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, 2022] Viennese Gemütlichkeit and a traditional dessert before the journey back to Princeton. [© Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, 2022] Viennese Gemütlichkeit and a traditional dessert before the journey back to Princeton. [© Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, 2022] 1 / 23 Previous image Next image ︎
