Field Trips – Global Bridges

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.

Study Trips, Conferences, and Global Forums 2018

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

In 2018, we will continue to follow our motto, “Wir fahren hin” (We go there), and to seek personal encounters and experiences in areas of geostrategic importance, such as in Iran, Israel and the West Bank, Jordan, Tibet, Kenya and Rwanda, China, Vietnam, and Uzbekistan.

For further information please see the following preliminary schedule of events for this year:

VIII New York Global Forum

15. December 2017/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

This year’s annual festive holiday breakfast took place on December 14^th on the top floor of the German House in New York City. The event was hosted by German Consul General, Mr. David Gill, in cooperation with Global Bridges. The guest of honor was Mr. Philip D. Murphy, Governor-Elect of New Jersey and longtime friend of Global Bridges.

XIV Frankfurt Global Forum / Thanksgiving Dinner

28. November 2017/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

This year’s traditional Thanksgiving Dinner took place in Frankfurt am Main on November 28^th. Consul General James W. Herman and his wife, Mrs. Leilani Herman, were once again the hosts of the annual turkey dinner, inviting both Global Bridges members and Young Leaders to gather at their residence for the festive evening.

XXX Berlin Global Forum on China

24. November 2017/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Above the rooftops of Berlin, the members of Global Bridges came together at the invitation of its long-time member, Dr. Kurt Schwarz, to discuss the prospects of China. The evening also provided the opportunity to reflect upon Global Bridges’ XIII Study Trip to China this October.

Traditional Annual Goose Dinner / XXIX Berlin Global Forum

15. November 2017/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

The annual goose dinner took place this year on November 15 in the Berlin International Club. Global Bridges had the honor of receiving Baroness Pauline Neville Jones DCMG, member of the British House of Lords, for a second time as the guest speaker for the evening. Her speech addressed the question, “Where is Brexit Britain going?” which was followed by an interactive question round.

II Study Trip for Legislators from North Dakota in Germany

5. November 2017/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Berlin and Potsdam, Germany

November 5-11, 2017

On Sunday, November 5, a delegation of North Dakota State Senators and Representatives landed at Berlin Tegel Airport, marking the start of Global Bridge’s second annual North Dakota Study Trip to Germany.

The week commenced with a day of meetings and discussions. To begin, Mr. Hans Ulrich-Klose, former member of the German Bundestag (SPD), discussed general foreign affairs, as well as examined the current political situation in the US and its impact on Germany. Professor Barbara John, Chairman of the Welfare Organization Parität Berlin, followed with an analysis on the immigration and integration of refugees in Germany and in Europe on a wider scale. Before our tour of the Bundestag, Mr. Steffen Bilger MdB (CDU) helped summarize the basic functions and breakdown of the German Bundestag. He also touched on the idea of a “Jamaika Coalition” for the new German government.

XIII Study Trip to China

30. October 2017/in Field Trips /by Ines Klughardt

Beijing, Shangri-La, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuzhen, and Hong Kong

October 15 to 28, 2017

This year’s trip to China was overshadowed by the 19th Party Congress of the Chinese Communist Party which took place during our stay. When we were in Beijing, the number of police officers and the amount of neighborhood watches reached an unprecedented number: the nervousness surrounding this big event was tangible. Due to the overlap, we could not visit the CPC Party School, nor could we not go to Tibet as planned.

As always, the trip included political, business and cultural meetings and events. Read more