Elke Allenstein, Head of Partner Management & Cooperations, republica GmbH   

1.  Describe your company in a tweet. 

The re:publica is the festival for the digital society and is considered the largest conference of its kind in Europe. We discuss the most important topics of our time. Variety, diversity and a critically optimistic view of the future are the hallmarks of re:publica.  

2.  Why are you involved as a Berlin-Partner?

Because as a platform for digital society, we believe in the power of community, networks, togetherness and synergies. In a city of flat hierarchies, creativity and tolerance.

3.  What topics drive you in relation to your industry?

(Network) politics, media, science, technology, society and (pop) culture and these current topics.

The motto of rp23 is CASH. Every design, every idea, every change, no matter how urgent, faces financial issues at some point. The roots and effects of the current crises: Climate, war and energy, but also the causes of social injustice and poverty are closely interwoven with the financial market, with profits or losses, with greed or generosity. With the having and not having of financial resources. 

4.  How does your company implement the topic of sustainability?

The re:publica has always been a place for engagement and responsibility, for emancipation and empathy in (digital) society. As an established major event, we are also aware of our special responsibility and want to make our contribution to the sustainable development of society - in our program and production.

As part of our event concept, we ask ourselves how people can take heed of societal and planetary boundaries and work within them. We show options for action to live more sustainably, to shape digitization socially and ecologically, and to use technology to advance sustainable goals. We present projects that enable better togetherness and combat exclusion.

For many years, re:publica has also been on the path to more sustainability in event production. We test recycling and upcycling concepts, work on low barriers, on strategies for more energy efficiency and waste avoidance. From short distances and recyclable trade show construction and equipment to vegan and vegetarian catering and rental furniture - we are already on the right track in many places. But there is still more to do.

We understand sustainability as a holistic concept that determines our actions and thinking in order to help shape the socio-ecological transformation. Because this is not always easy, we fail often enough, we still have a lot to learn ourselves, but above all we want to be transparent, from now on we will document on this page and on our social media channels what sustainable measures we have implemented so far and share our thoughts, ideas and insights with you.