Kolomna, Moscow and St. Petersburg
September 23 to 30, 2017
“Russia is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma,” said Winston Churchill. In order to solve this puzzle at a time when more is talked about others than with others, a delegation from Global Bridges traveled for the first time to Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Hamburg, Germany
August 20 to 25, 2017
„The Challenges Facing Today’s Young Leaders“
40 Young Leaders from Germany and the People’s Republic of China came together in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg to discuss both the challenges as well as the opportunities of today’s global development. The Military Academy of the German Armed Forces in Hamburg-Blankenese generously hosted the conference. The campus offered a great setting for the working groups and their discussions on topics such as sustainable economic policy, Industry 4.0 and “China’s Belt and Road Initiative.”
Gdansk, Poland
July 6 to 9, 2017
“Bridges or Chasms between East and West? – A Polish Case Study”
At the point where Poland meets the Baltic Sea, our Young Leaders and Global Bridges members dedicated three days of stimulating debate, study visits, and sightseeing to the (re-)discovery of Gdansk. Fueled by the enthralling speeches given by the guest speakers, the discussions focused on Poland’s role in international relations, especially to the United States, Russia, Germany, and the rest of Europe. Our delegation’s numerous trips to local historic sites, such as the fortress “Ordensburg Marienburg” (Malbork), the Solidarność Center, as well as the boat ride to “Westerplatte,” the site where World War II began on September 1, 1939, contributed to more lively conversations. These shared experiences in Gdansk blended together with the diverse backgrounds of the trip’s attendants led our Young Leaders to a powerful, common conclusion: it is now more important than ever to build bridges with Poland.
To read the full report, please click here:
Germany’s Role and Interests amidst a United States in Turmoil and a Europe in Search of its Future
Berlin, Germany
June 20-21, 2017
At the Second Walther Leisler Kiep Symposium Globalization and Protectionism, the Atlantic Community, and Germany’s Role in Europe were the topics in focus.
The results of the panel discussions may be summarized as follows:
New uncertainties are arising in a rapidly changing international arena due to growing opposition to global free trade, digitalization and its ramifications for the working world, and disputes over the consequences of energy supply and climate change.
Through Globalization, people are growing closer, but this also means that they are becoming more acutely aware of their differences. We should refrain from imposing our notions of democracy and human rights on the rest of the world and instead approach developmental assistance in a more pragmatic manner. Globalization has divergent consequences for the income and wealth distribution for western-oriented democracies.
Despite substantial unpredictability from the Trump administration, we must keep our transatlantic alliance strong and maintain mutual understanding, especially towards those who support President Trump. America’s opposition to North Stream is directed not only against Russia, but Germany as well. This should be clearly addressed.
Europe will have to step up their efforts to control deviating tendencies. The EU must do more to be taken seriously as a security provider. There was a call to observe the Maastricht Treaty: EU-minister of finance, fiscal union, economic government, perhaps even EU-led armed forces as well as a monitoring regime on the external borders and a balanced immigration and refugee policy. With Brexit, Germany’s interests are aimed at keeping the United Kingdom as close as possible to the EU, albeit without weakening the fundamental principles of the domestic market. In questions of security, continued cooperation is indispensable.
To read the full report by Dr. Rudolf Georg Adam, please click here:
Astana, Kazakhstan
May 28 to June 1, 2017
42 Young Leaders from 18 nations traveled to central Asia to get to know a country in economic emergence that proved its will and capacity for economic modernization with the direction of the global exhibition Expo 2017.
Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and Ramallah
April 22 to 29, 2017
A Study Trip in Times of Fundamental Change
Global Bridges learned more about the conditions in which bilateral relations between Israel and Germany truly are, and how the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to develop. Surprisingly, both sides place a lot of hope in a new actor on the global stage, Donald Trump, whose political style is a cause for concern in Europe. The unpredictable United States president may yet accomplish what his rather predictable predecessor failed to achieve.
At the traditional New Year’s Dinner, when the Chinese Ambassador to Germany, H.E. Shi Mingde, hosted the XXVIII Berlin Global Forum to celebrate the beginning of the Chinese “Year of the Rooster,” Dr. Beate Lindemann greeted the members of Global Bridges. Included in the Executive Chairman’s remarks was the announcement that the XIII Study Trip to China, from October 14-28, would bring participants to visit Beijing, Hong Kong, and, for the first time, Tibet.
2016 was not without sorrowful memories, as our beloved Founding Chairman and Honorary Member Walther Leisler Kiep passed away last May. His vigor and passion inspired us in our daily lives, and his magnificent presence was and continues to be deeply missed. However, he was with us in spirit – and what better way to remember his unforgettable work than to forge on in his footsteps and embark on many journeys filled with inquiry and insight. Shortly after Walther left us, we honored him with our First Walther Leisler Kiep Symposium on Germany’s Policy toward Russia.
Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and the Province of Xinjiang
P.R. China Nov 13-26, 2016
On our XII Study Trip to China, the focus is on the Chinese political and economic megatrends in Bejing and Shanghai, as well as for the first time the regional development of the Western Province of Xinjiang.
Bowling Green, Ohio
USA Nov 1-6, 2016
At the beginning of November 2016, in the final rally of the US presidential campaign, delegates of Global Bridges arrive in Bowling Green, Ohio, 82 miles southwest of Detroit and 180 miles north of Cincinnati. Why would one choose such a remote location? It is right here, in the swing state of Ohio, where no presidential nominee who later became president, has lost since 1964. Since 1896, Ohio has picked the loser only twice.