2025:
The world in transition
An increasing number of countries challenge the unipolarity which marked the global order until the turn of the millennium – power dynamics, core issues, and opportunities are changing.
What does it take to succeed in the world of tomorrow?
Curiosity
Understanding global change requires a willingness to question familiar ways of thinking, to ask questions, and to embrace new perspectives.
Global Bridges creates open, though not public, spaces where learning and shifts in perspective become possible.
Respect
Reliable and trustworthy relationships grow where people meet at eye level and differences become an invitation to engage, not a reason to divide.
Global Bridges stands for a culture of reciprocal listening and understanding.
Non-Partisanship
In complex times, independent thinking is essential – beyond political camps and ideological boundaries.
Global Bridges promotes fact-based dialogue, informed debate, and solution-oriented thinking.
Responsibility
The future takes shape when different generations come together – combining knowledge, vision, and a willingness to take action.
Global Bridges understands responsibility as taking global challenges seriously and contributing tangible impulses toward a just, peaceful, and sustainable future.
Global Bridges
is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Berlin that connects decision-makers from business, politics, science, culture, and media across generations and around the world.
support our mission of promoting international understanding through an annual membership fee. In return, they gain access to a renowned annual program and an exclusive network of decision-makers at home and abroad.
do not make a financial contribution after their one-time participation in one of the three conferences, but become part of our global Young Leaders Alumni network, continuing to support our mission through various non-material contributions.
serve as contact persons in our key regions. They represent the interests of our members on the ground, strengthen the visibility of our organization, and enrich our formats with their local expertise as well as networks.
Our guiding principle
To think globally means to pursue the right questions in the right places. Our three pillars of activities, topics, and regions are at the heart of this principle.
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.
Across our three activities, we engage with key geopolitical, global economic, and societal issues.
We focus on dynamic BRICS+ countries in Asia and the Middle East, Africa, and soon also Latin America.
Our members
More than 400 members of Global Bridges contribute their perspectives from politics, business, academia, and the media across Germany and Europe. Their diverse expertise enriches our discussions and strengthens mutual understanding.
Our organization is intentionally kept small, with the intention of maintaining exclusivity. We pursue targeted growth and carefully manage the number of active members. As such, membership is primarily by recommendation and subsequent election by the Board of Directors.
INDUSTRIES
4
REGIONAL CHAPTERS
6
AVERAGE AGE
51
IN GERMANY
76%
Our board
Our 13-member board of directors is comprised of experienced leaders from German business, politics, science, and media. Its diverse composition reflects Global Bridges’ values and guiding principles.
Our team
Our dedicated team organizes the many Study Trips, Global Forums, and Young Leader’s Conferences that mark our schedule of activities. Their efforts provide our members and Young Leaders with invaluable insights into the political, economic, and societal fabric of our focus regions.
Malte Hohlfeld
Executive Chairman
Malte Hohlfeld has been working for Global Bridges since September 2021, first as Program Assistant, then as Program Manager and since January 2024 as Executive Chairman. In addition to heading the organization’s daily business, Malte Hohlfeld organizes and accompanies our Study Trips.
Before joining Global Bridges, he held various positions, for example at the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit, a crypto startup and in office of Ursula von der Leyen.
Malte Hohlfeld holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution and Governance from the University of Amsterdam and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Universities of Groningen and Hong Kong.
Dr. Beate Lindemann
Honorary Chairwoman
Dr. Beate Lindemann is a founding member of Global Bridges and was Executive Chairwom until December 2023. Since January 2024, she has been Honorary Chairwoman of the association as well as a member of the Board of Directors and maintains contacts with China in particular.
Before 2010, Dr. Lindemann was Executive Vice Chairwoman of Atlantik-Brücke and previously a research associate at the Research Institute of the German Council on Foreign Relations.
Dr. Lindemann studied Political Science, International Relations and International Economics at the Free University of Berlin, the University of Aberdeen and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, among others.
Johanna Oesinghaus
Program Manager
Johanna Oesinghaus has been working as a Program Manager at Global Bridges since March 2025. In her position, she is responsible for the organization and support of the Young Leaders conferences.
Previously, Johanna Oesinghaus worked as Program Manager for International Politics at the Körber Foundation, where she also supervised Young Leaders. During her studies, she also gained experience at the Center for International Peace Operations and as a project assistant at the Munich Security Conference.
Johanna Oesinghaus holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the Free University of Berlin and a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies from the University of Passau.
Tim Blankeburg
Program Coordinator
Tim Blankenburg has been with Global Bridges since January 2023, working first as Program Assistant and since March 2024 as Program Coordinator. In his role, he organizes our Global Forums.
Before joining Global Bridges, Tim Blankenburg worked as a student trainee for the
Leibniz Centre for Contemporary History in Potsdam and gained experience as an intern at the Körber Foundation and the US Consulate in Leipzig.
Tim Blankenburg holds a Master’s degree in Contemporary History from the University of Potsdam and a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from the University of Erfurt and the University of Winnipeg.
Fabian Schneider
Executive Assistant
Fabian Schneider has been working at Global Bridges since April 2025. In his role as assistant to the management, he provides content-related support in the preparation of activities as well as administrative support in the organization of our office. Before taking up his position, Fabian Schneider gained experience as an intern at the German Consulate General in Los Angeles and as a working student in the energy cluster of Johanssen + Kretschmer Strategic Communications.
In addition to a voluntary military service, Fabian Schneider holds a Bachelor’s degree in Governance and Public Policy from the University of Passau.
Clara Windhorst
Working Student
Clara Windhorst has been working as a student trainee at Global Bridges since December 2024. In her role, Clara Windhorst mainly supports the organization of study trips and Young Leaders Conferences.
Previously, she worked as a working student for the ASA program at Engagement Global and completed internships at the Delegation of the European Union in Brazil, the German Consulate General in Rio de Janeiro and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Uruguay.
Clara Windhorst is currently studying Interdisciplinary Latin American Studies at the Freie Universität Berlin. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Romance Studies from the University of Erfurt.
Our circle of friends
The circle of friends unites members who feel a special connection to Global Bridges and wish to support us both ideally and financially through long-term contributions.
Financial support
By securing long-term resources, the circle of friends enables reliable planning, the expansion of the annual program, and the support of younger members.
Network expansion
The circle of friends contributes to the qualitative growth and strengthening of our network, promotes both regionalization and internationalization, and opens up new avenues of access.
Strategic cooperation
Serving as a driver of new ideas, the circle of friends works closely with the board and management to ensure Global Bridges is sustainably positioned.
Fellowships
Each year, the circle of friends awards travel fellowships to enable younger members in particular to participate in our international Study Trips. For the planned delegations in 2026, travel allowances will be made available. Interested members may apply as part of the registration process – the selection will be made by the circle itself.
Our sponsors and partners
Our work would not be possible without the unwavering support of our sponsors and
partner institutions worldwide. Through their contributions, guidance, and network, they help us advance our mission – connecting people and building lasting bridges around the globe.
Interested?
We create exiting opportunities for our members, Young Leaders, partners, and participants.