The Next 25 Podcast

🎙️ Jorge Correa, founder of EatCloud, a digital platform fighting food waste and hunger across Latin America, joined Peter Kovacz from the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) for a compelling conversation about how technology can transform one of humanity's most urgent paradoxes: millions going hungry while tons of perfectly good food are thrown away every day. Together they explore how dat...

🎙️ Dr. Le Hong Hiep, Senior Fellow and Coordinator of the Vietnam Studies Program at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore and editor of the journal Contemporary Southeast Asia, joined Eleonora Neri, International Relations Specialist at the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), for a compelling conversation about how Southeast Asia is navigating the intensifying strategic rivalry bet...

🎙️ Daniel Ospina, founder of Pygma, a fintech accelerator based in Bogotá, Colombia, joined Peter Kovacz from the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) for an engaging conversation about why Latin America is emerging as the next major frontier for fintech innovation. Together they explore the region's unique opportunities, the evolving startup ecosystem across Latin America, and how strategic...

🎙️ Flo Mosoane, founder of Easy Chicken Club in South Africa, joined Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ács, Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), for a conversation on the transformative potential of small-scale agriculture in Africa. Together they explore how technology, strategic infrastructure, and localized supply chains can unlock economic opportunity for millions while addressing food s...

How do we navigate a century defined by "God-like technologies" while still operating within "Stone Age" institutions? Join Zoltan Ács, Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS) , in a profound conversation with impact investor and technologist Amit. In this episode, we dive into the shifting architecture of our global economy—from the death of cash to the rise of agentic framewor...

🎙️ Shirley Bandak, General Partner at Maserine Climate, joined Peter Kocacz from the Vienna Institute for Global Studies (VIGS), for an engaging conversation about water risk, climate adaptation, and the future of food security. They explore how data-driven technologies are helping communities adapt to extreme weather events, why water is the overlooked protagonist in the climate story, and what i...

🎙️ Dr. Robert Lichtner, head of the Danube Strategy Point and Secretary of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region, joined Prof. Dr. Zoltán Acs for a wide-ranging conversation on the cultural, economic, and political future of the Danube region. Together they explore the historical roots of Central European identity, the challenges and opportunities of EU enlargement, and the critical question facin...

Former Israeli Ambassador Yakov Hadas-Handelsman, who served in Germany, Hungary, Jordan, the EU, and NATO, joined Prof. Dr. Zoltán Ács, Director of the Vienna Institute for Global Studies, for a conversation on diplomacy, the legacy of the Abraham Accords, and the Middle East’s evolving role in global trade and energy. Together they explore how cooperation, pragmatism, and hope can guide peace-bu...