Field Trips – Global Bridges

First Study Trip to Kenya and Rwanda

2. September 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Nairobi – Kigali

August 25-September 2, 2018

“We don’t want help, we need investment!’’

The cliché of a continent steeped in poverty and stagnation, from which only migration to Europe offers the possibility of a better life, stands in contrast to our week spent in Kenya and Rwanda. What we saw, were two countries on the rise. Nairobi has, like Cape Town and Lagos, a vibrant – although insufficiently financed – start-up scene: the so-called “Silicon Savannah”. From this new sector emerged MPESA, an app-based financial service through which even Kenyans living in rural societies can send and receive money digitally. Rwanda sees opportunities in digitalization as well. Although Volkswagen’s recent investment in a Kigali-based CKD production center is more modest than what the international media has reported, its new ride sharing model, through which Volkswagen sees new opportunities to improve and expand its mobility services, is ground breaking. A young Rwandan developer – after teaching himself programming skills through online tutorials – designed the app on which Volkswagen’s new venture is based. For developing nations such as Kenya and Rwanda, digitalization presents enormous opportunities.

Special Study Trip to Tibet

12. July 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Lhasa – Shigatse – Namsto Lake

July 7-12, 2018

For more than a quarter of a century, representatives from Global Bridges have been traveling to China. Throughout this time, they have had the chance to follow China’s impressive growth, appreciate its achievements, but also to perceive its sensitivities.

VII Chinese-German Young Leaders Conference

6. July 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Inner Mongolia, P.R. China

July 1 to 6, 2018

„China-Germany Relations in a Changing World“

Inner Mongolia? Not much is known about the northern province in China. Even for people from China it is a place full of mystery and legends mostly inspired by its famous leader Genghis Khan. No wonder Mongolia is called an empire won on horseback.

Third Walther Leisler Kiep Symposium 2018

27. June 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Europe’s Future between the United States and China

Berlin, Germany

June 26 and 27, 2018

On the occasion of this year’s III. Walther Leisler Kiep Symposium, high-ranking representatives from business, academia, politics and the media met to discuss the topic “Europe’s Future between the United States and China“. Thanks to the first class speakers, a wonderful opening evening overlooking the rooftops of Berlin from the atrium of Deutsche Bank’s Berlin headquarters, and a summerlike finale on our member Dr. Kurt Schwarz’s rooftop terrace, this year’s Symposium was another great success.

The introduction to this year’s topic was provided by Richard R. Burt, Former US Ambassador to Germany, who provided an overview of the development of transatlantic relations since the Second World War.

To read the report of Dr. Rudolf Adam click here

XXXII Berlin Global Forum, June 07, 2018

7. June 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Is blockchain a revolutionary technology of the future? Is it going to change the world – and if yes – how? What is fleeting and what is permanent? These central questions guided the presentations and subsequent discussions at the Global Bridges’ XXXII Berlin Global Forum titled, “Bitcoin – Blockchain: From Sensation to Rehabilitation.”

XVII European-American Young Leaders Conference

27. May 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Tashkent, Uzbekistan

May 27 – 31

“Uzbekistan: A Country in Transition”

Uzbekistan has served as a crossroads of civilizations for millennia. It was an important player in the Silk Road trade, has been part of numerous major world empires, and is now situated in the heart of modern Central Asia. This made Uzbekistan an ideal location to convene 38 young leaders from 12 countries for Global Bridges’ XVII European-American Young Leaders Conference at the end of May 2018.

VI Study Trip to Israel and the West Bank

25. April 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Tel Aviv – Ramallah – Be’er Sheva – Hebron – Bethlehem – Jerusalem – Sderot

April 25 – May 3, 2018

I. Introduction

While the festivities of the 70th anniversary of Israel’s independence took place, our Global Bridges Delegation began its VI Study Trip to Israel and the West Bank.

The group arrived in Israel amidst the protests and aftermath that ensued as a result of US President Trump’s announcement officially recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Our many meetings and encounters with fascinating personalities allowed the group to receive firsthand insight to a region where it is debated like nowhere else, how politics could or should be conducted differently.

III Study Trip to the Islamic Republic of Iran

14. April 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

April 7 – 14, 2018

Teheran, Yazd, Kashan

Fraught with exciting, new impressions and acquired knowledge, our Global Bridges delegation returned on April 15 from their Third Study Trip to Iran. Although the country is currently experiencing a boom, the economic crisis remains omnipresent. Over the past few years, the sanctions have isolated the country more and more from the outside world. Given these conditions, it was even more astounding for our group to experience the amount of hospitality and curiosity the local population demonstrates towards western travelers as well as how relentlessly this population has searched for solutions in order to create new perspectives.

VI London Global Forum, March 15, 2018

15. March 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

The golden rule of the automobile industry is: “Never build a new car with a new team in a new factory.” And this rule should not be broken? Carl-Peter Forster, Chairman of the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) and Member of the Supervisory Board of Geely, taught the members of Global Bridges otherwise.

Traditional Chinese New Year’s Dinner

26. January 2018/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

On Friday, January 26^th, our Global Bridges Members once again enjoyed the gracious hospitality of the Chinese Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Mr. Shi Mingde, who invited them to dinner on the occasion of the Chinese New Year.