Academics from the University of Erfurt are involved in the ‘Thuringia Commission on the Future’

On 5 November 2026, Thuringia’s Minister-President Mario Voigt launched the new ‘Thuringia 2035 Future Commission’ in Erfurt. Chaired by the Jena-based academic Professor Ulrich S. Schubert, the commission will bring together leading figures from Thuringia and across Germany to develop visions and solutions for the future of the Free State. The members were presented to the public for the first time at the launch event at the Zentralheize. Academics from the University of Erfurt are also involved, including Professor Cornelia Betsch, Professor Hartmut Rosa, Professor Heike Grimm and Professor Anne Nassauer. The commission is due to draw up concrete recommendations for action for the Thuringian state government by September 2027.

“Thuringia is a Free State of opportunities – we just need to seize them with determination. To do so, we need people who challenge the status quo and point the way forward. I would like to thank all the members of the Commission for the Future for putting their experience and commitment at the service of our Free State. I look forward to concrete proposals that will enable us to shape Thuringia’s future. Every Thuringian can also contribute their own ideas. For the best that Thuringia has to offer lies not behind us, but ahead of us,” explained Mario Voigt at the launch event.

The Future Commission brings together leading figures from academia, business, civil society and public life. Their diverse experiences and expertise are intended to provide fresh impetus for Thuringia’s development. The Commission will address key issues relating to Thuringia’s development through three working groups:

  • Economy and Innovation: How can Thuringia build on its economic strength, harness new technologies and promote innovation?
  • Social cohesion: How can quality of life, social cohesion and equal living conditions be secured in the long term?
  • Political capacity for action and modernisation of the state: How must the state change in order to act more swiftly, in a more modern way and in a manner that is closer to the people?

The work will be carried out in three phases: Firstly, the Commission will analyse the current situation and the key challenges facing Thuringia (‘What is the situation?’). It will then examine key future trends and possible developments (“What will happen?”). Building on this, it will develop a positive vision for the Free State’s future and concrete recommendations for its implementation (“What should happen?”).

For further information, please refer to the press release from the Thuringian State Chancellery.

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