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Understanding
Through
Experiences

We travel to and engage with regions of geostrategic importance, discuss the key issues of our time, and bring together emerging leaders from across the globe.

Delegation trips

Study Trips

Our Study Trips enable our members to explore high-growth countries, particularly in the BRICS+ group, expand their personal and professional networks, and gain new perspectives.

We go there

Over the past 15 years, our delegations have had the opportunity to visit dozens of regions of geostrategic importance, including repeated visits to China, Russia (suspended since 2022), India, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Iran, Israel, the Palestinian Territories, and many more.

Programs

At these fascinating locations, our members engage in CEO lunches to discuss trade issues, exchange views with leading thinktank researchers, join interactive workshops, and debate current political topics with ministers. They also engage with religious representatives, explore art galleries, take guided tours of historical monuments, and visit culturally significant venues, whether Zoroastrian fire temples, Tibetan opera houses, Rwandan tea factories, or Russian monasteries.

3-4

Per year

Through the flexible selection of destinations, we create new momentum and get to know the key players on the ground who are shaping the global order of tomorrow.

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Study Trips since 2010

Our delegation trips have taken our members to Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Starting in 2026, we will add Latin America to our annual program.

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Countries visited frequently

To build reliable bridges around the world, we travel to the BRICS+ countries on a regular basis, with a trip to China taking place annually.

In Focus

Study Trips to China

Partner, competitor, or systemic rival? China’s rise as a global power is reshaping the international order in profound ways. Amid growing geopolitical and economic tensions, our Study Trips help strengthen our members’ understanding of the People’s Republic. Each year, Global Bridges brings German and European decision-makers to China to gain first-hand insights into the country’s political system, its economic transformation, and its evolving social fabric.

The thematic focus of our discussions with Chinese counterparts from politics, business, academia, and civil society has changed over time. However, visits to ministries, roundtable discussions with long-standing partner organizations, and exchanges with German companies on the ground remain key elements of the program.

Study Trips to China since 2010

16

Visited Provinces

22

⌀ Delegation size

30

⌀ Cities per Study Trip

6

Discussion formats

Global Forums

Through our Global Forums, we foster constructive dialogue between our members and distinguished international speakers in three thematic series. These interdisciplinary formats take place monthly – partly virtually, partly on-site – in Germany and beyond.

Geopolitics

The “Geopolitical Monitors” series observes tectonic shifts on the global stage, analyzing the geostrategy of individual countries or specific regions and their impact on the global order.

Global Economy

Our “Global Econ Sessions” examine influences on global financial and trade flows, such as changing trade routes, infrastructure initiatives, or the ongoing process of de-dollarization.

Society

The “Cosmopolitan Talks” address major contemporary trends, including the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence, the effects of climate change, and strategies for global health.

Post-Transatlantic World?
Europe in Search for Autonomy, Resilience, and
Unity of Purpose

2025

Challenges to the Global Order: Revisionism, Populism and
the Rise of the Global South

2024

The Demise of Globalization?
Finding Pathways between Confrontation and Cooperation

2023

The War in Ukraine: Implications for Europe’s Russia Policies

2022

China as a
Global Competitor:
Implications for Europe

2019

Europe’s Future between the
United States and China

2018

Germany’s Role and Interests amidst a
United States in Turmoil

2017

Is Germany’s
Russia policy
at a Crossroads?

2016

In Focus

Walther Leisler Kiep Symposium

The symposium was launched in 2016 to mark the 90th birthday of our founding chairman, Dr. h.c. Walther Leisler Kiep, and has since become a recurring highlight in our calendar of events. Every year in early summer, it brings together high-ranking personalities from politics, business and society to shed light on current global challenges from their respective perspectives. In speeches, panels and interviews, renowned experts link international issues with regional experiences – and reflect on the findings of the Study Trips together with our members.

Talent Development

Young Leaders Program

Our Young Leaders Program brings together emerging leaders from across the globe, providing a platform to discuss critical political, economic, and social issues.

Conferences

Each year, we organize three Young Leaders Conferences. Participation in these multi-day discussion forums, featuring high-level speakers and a cultural program, serves as the “entry ticket” for Young Leaders into our renowned alumni network.

Alumni network

Our Young Leaders Program offers a unique global, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational network of over 900 Young Leaders from more than 40 countries. Partners gain access to diverse expertise and an exclusive platform to showcase their work.

Engagement

Regular regional meetings and biennial reunions allow Young Leaders Alumni from the same regions to build lasting and trusted connections. As hosts, Alumni have the opportunity to present themselves and their companies, and to highlight topics of relevance. alumni have the opportunity to introduce themselves and their companies and present their topics.

Our Young Leaders

Young Leaders between the ages of 25 and 40, with initial relevant professional experience, are nominated by members and partners, and selected through a competitive application process.

AVERAGE AGE

31

Female Participants

40%

⌀ Years of Professional Experience

5

Business Experience

50%

Our conferences

The global networking of the next generation is close to our hearts: in bilateral formats with China, India and Turkey, we facilitate exchange with the most dynamic economic powers of our time. The participants at our three conferences discuss key topics of the future – with the aim of creating a resilient global network that thinks and acts across borders.

German-Chinese Young Leaders Conference

The German-Chinese Young Leaders Conference was initiated in 2012 by Global Bridges and the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and China. With the exception of a short pause during the pandemic, the conference has taken place annually – alternating between China and Germany. The 20 German participants are nominated by members, sponsors, and partners of Global Bridges, while the 20 Chinese participants are selected by CPIFA.

Indo-German Young Leaders Conference

The Indo-German Young Leaders Conference was launched in 2016 as the Indo-German Young Leaders Forum (IGYLF) by the association of the same name. In 2024, Global Bridges and IGYLF signed a Memorandum of Understanding to co-host annual conferences alternating between Germany and India, focusing on current topics of bilateral relevance. Members, sponsors, and partners of Global Bridges can nominate Young Leaders, or interested individuals may apply directly via the IGYLF website.

German-Turkish Young Leaders Conference

In the summer of 2026, the Turkish-German Young Leaders Conference will be launched. Building on the success of Global Bridges’ existing bilateral Young Leaders formats with China and India, it will deepen one of Europe’s most important relationships. The aim is to bring together emerging leaders from both countries for an open dialogue on shared global and regional challenges. The conference will henceforth take place annually, alternating between Türkiye and Germany. Members, sponsors, and partners of Global Bridges are invited to nominate young leaders for participation.

European-American Young Leaders Conference (discontinued)

The format was originally launched in 1973 as the German-American Conference by Atlantik-Brücke and has been continued by Global Bridges since 2010 as the European-American Young Leaders Conference. Participants represent not only countries of the European Union or the United States, but the entirety of Europe and North America. The conferences have taken place in regions of geostrategic importance – from Central Asia and the Caucasus to the Balkans and Northern Iraq. Members, sponsors, and partners of Global Bridges can nominate Young Leaders.

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Young Leaders Conferences since 2010

We build on half a century of experiences in bringing together Young Leaders.

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Countries represented

Our Young Leaders come not only from Germany, but from across Europe, as well as from China, India, the United States, and parts of the Middle East and Central Asia.

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Reunions

Since 2012, we have hosted regular multi-day gatherings to strengthen cohesion and dialogue between cohorts and program formats.

Our Events

Our schedule of activities features delegation trips to geostrategic locations, conferences held at key flashpoints of world history, and high-level discussions on pressing global issues. Unless otherwise stated, participation in these events is by invitation only.

Our feed

On LinkedIn, we share what drives us: reflections on past activities, inspiring encounters, and announcements of upcoming events and initiatives.

Interested?

We create exiting opportunities for our members, Young Leaders, partners, and participants.

Contact us

Encounters. Dialogue. Understanding.

Organization
About us
Members
Board of Directors
Team
Activities
Study Trips
Global Forums
Young Leaders Program
Events
Contact
  • +49 30 921 023 10
  • Global Bridges e.V.
    Pariser Platz 6
    10117 Berlin

© 2025 by Global Bridges.

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