From 4 to 13 October, the 20th edition of the INTERNATIONAL FUTURES (IF) programme focussed on „Sustainable Digitalisation“ took place in Berlin. IF depicts a unique format that brings together participants of the Managing Global Governance (MGG) Academy, the training and dialogue format for young leaders of the MGG programme at IDOS as well as young diplomats who are invited by the Federal Foreign Office through its Diplomacy by Networking programme.
The aim of the ten-day programme was to consciously build networks between change makers in the spheres of diplomacy, academia, politics as well as civil society. Core elements included panel discussions, interactive workshops, and simulation games centred on the potentials and risks of artificial intelligence, the impact of social media, big data and digital platforms, challenges associated with inclusive digitalization as well as the digital agenda for global governance. A key highlight of the seminar included a visit to the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, where the participants discussed aspects of sustainable development and diplomacy with State Secretary Niels Annen. The programme was complemented by a visiting and cultural programme in Berlin, featuring a city tour, museum visits and an excursion to Potsdam.
This year’s IF programme made a valuable contribution to the creation of a global community of responsibility and leadership and exemplifies the close cooperation between German ministries.
©Till Budde, 1st row, from left to right: Benjamin Stewart (Programme Coordinator), Sheenam Puri (India), Nyoman Yatmi Pravita Dewi (Indonesia), Wulf Reiners (Programmme Coordinator), Jule Brumma (Programme Intern) Mingchun Shen (China), Silke Mahler (Deputy Head of Diplomacy by Networking), Frederike Diny (Germany), Si Peng (China), Ambassador (ret.) Georg Witschel (Programme Director), Anta Maulana Nasution (Indonesia), Matthias Kachelmann (Programme Manager), Bruno Berthier Garcia (Mexico), Lucas Ataliba (Brazil), Karin Carvalho Adams (Brazil), Philippe Raposo (Brazil), Romita Ghosh (India), Jacqueline Aguilar Baca (Mexico), Reon van der Merwe (South Africa), Raquel Oliveira (Brazil), Lesedi Madi (South Africa), Patricia von Wartenberg Salgado (Mexico), Roland-Valentin Müller (Romania), Tsholofelo Sandrah Sehloho (South Africa), Wenao Liu (China), Alexandra Gurgel Valente da Costa (Brazil), Anna Koslowski (Programme Intern) 2nd row, from left to right: Jiayinaer Bolati (China), Fisca Aulia (Indonesia), Nidia Ibarra Serrano (Mexico), Danai Tembo (South Africa), Tuhinsubhra Giri (India), Nitish Barole (India)
