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Image of attendees at the Berlin Global Dialogue

Exclusive events

Network. Learn new skills. Be part of the discussion

At ESMT Berlin, you can benefit from a range of exclusive events that offer opportunities to network, develop new professional skills and broaden your horizons. From career talks to high profile events that bring together business leaders, policy makers and academics, be part of the conversation around the biggest new ideas and the biggest challenges we face.

Berlin Global Dialogue

In September 2023, ESMT inaugurated a new international forum that unites leaders from business and policy to find joint solutions for a global economy in transition. With notable guests including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Charles Michel, president of the European Council, as well as other world and business leaders, the Berlin Global Dialogue offered ESMT students an opportunity to play a part in the exchange between business and policy on the topics of the clean energy transition, geopolitical tensions, and technological disruption.

Image from Berlin Global Dialogue

 

"The three-day event offered a unique glimpse into how industry and government representatives... share information and influence each other’s thinking."

 

Learn more about the role that students played as part of the Young Voices Delegation in this blog post from Yale SOM student, Emanuel Ritschard.

 


 

Students from ESMT, as well as the GNAM Network, took part in an exclusive, one-on-one session with the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, as part of their Berlin Global Dialogue experience.

The students benefitted from unique insights and new perspectives that can only come about through a discussion with a prominent global leader. Participants from the student-run International Affairs Club described some of the highlights:

  • Get insights into Government Leadership: how leadership is extremely important for creating a positive and distended international environment and fostering strong alliances

  • Policy discussion: Students discussed and learned about key policies and initiatives that are important to the Chancellor and his government.

  • Awareness of current issues: The chancellor explained his rational but positive outlook for the future, particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine and how Germany can further help.

  • Career Inspiration: Meeting a prominent political leader like Olaf Scholz provided an inspiring experience for students interested in pursuing careers in politics, management, or other leadership roles.

Exclusive events

Berlin Global Dialogue

September 28-29 2023, hosted by ESMT Berlin

Digital Future Summit

The DigitalFuture Summit at ESMT Berlin connects high-potentials with the future of digitalization. As an entirely student-organized event, it brings together excellent students, world-class academics, and prestigious corporate representatives to connect today’s high-potentials with the future of digitalization.

 

Master Classes

MasterClasses are prime evening events, where ESMT Berlin students discuss business, strategy, and leadership questions with top executives and policymakers. The events focus on industry-relevant topics and develop naturally from the speaker profile, themes students focus on in academic classes, and current events. Over the years, the MasterClass series has welcomed numerous renowned speakers from politics and business, such as Michael Diekmann, Heinrich Hiesinger, Bill McDermott and Tom Enders.

 

Talking Careers

The Talking Careers speaker series complements students’ classroom studies, offering them personal insights into career and business from top industry leaders themselves. Speakers include CEOS, members of the board of management and senior HR professionals. The presentations provide personal insights into the speakers’ career development. The students benefit from direct contact with industry leaders that complements the current channels and gain strategic insight into career perspectives.

 

Business Talks

At our Business Talks, esteemed business leaders are welcomed to share their expertise with invited guests, interested audiences, and ESMT students. The speakers address some of the most thought-provoking elements of leadership, growth, sustainability, digital transformation, and innovation. The events are ideal platforms for raising awareness on politically and economically sensitive global issues. Recent events included the Japanese-German Business Talk as well as the Chinese-German Business Talk.

Past speakers include:

  • Master Class

    • Carlo Vassallo, CEO, Ferrero Germany
    • Hiltrud Werner, Member of the Board of Management,  Volkswagen AG
    • Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management, Daimler AG
    • Stephan Oschmann, CEO, Merck KGaA
    • Tim Höttges, CEO, Deutsche Telekom
  • Talking Careers

    • Boris Ewenstein, SVP People and Organization, Zalando SE
    • Doris Hoepke, Member of the Board of Management, Munich RE
    • Kathrin Menges, Member of the Executive Board, Henkel AG
    • Peter Albiez, CEO, Pfizer Germany
    • Thomas Ogilvie, Member of Management Board, Deutsche Post DHL Group

     

  • Private Talk

    • H.E. Manuel Caldeira Cabral, Minister of Economy of Portugal
    • H.E. Mingde SHI , Ambassador of China in Germany
    • Jens Spahn, Federal Minister of Health of Germany
    • Johannes Evers, CEO, Berliner Sparkasse
    • Peter Limbourg, managing Director, Deutsche Welle
  • Business Talk

    • Hideki Tsutsumi, Asahi Kasei Executive Officer and Asahi Kasei Europe Managing Director
    • Go Miyazaki, Corporate Vice President, Managing Director, Fujifilm Europe
Chinese Ambassador with group of students
Doris Höpke, Munich RE
Ola Kalenius, Daimler
Steohan Oschmann, Merck
Kathirin Menges, Henkel
Shi Mingde

H.E. Shi Mingde, Ambassador of China in Germany

Doris Höpke

Member of the Board of Management of Munich Re

Ola Källenius

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management, Mercedes-Benz Group AG

Stephen Oschmann

Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck

Kathrin Menges

Member of the Executive Board, Henkel AG