The Zukunftsbrücke – Chinese–German Young Professional Campus and the resulting cross-sectoral network started with an initiative over ten years ago. 15 young German and 15 young Chinese leaders from all sectors encountered each other in an intensive annual dialogue between 2012 and 2019.

Participants were Germans and Chinese with two to ten years of professional experience who already held key positions in politics, economics, science or civil society and who wished to take an active part in shaping German-Chinese relations. The campus 2020 and 2021 did not take place because of the COVID pandemic and related travel restrictions. The focus of the initiative shifted to alumni activities in Germany and the strengthening of the existing network.

Many of the total of 240 alumni came together in Berlin to celebrate ten years of Zukunftsbrücke in September 2021. The event entitled “Celebrating a Decade of Building Bridges” acknowledged the achievements and opened a debate on what role the network could play in constructive relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and the People’s Republic of China.

Stiftung Mercator continues to support the existing network with its alumni work. Mercator Globe serves as the main exchange platform. In case you have any other questions concerning the Zukunftsbrücke network please contact Dr Christian Straube, Project Manager at the Centre for Europe in the World.

Campus: Locations and Focus Topics

Programme in Germany and China

Participants of the Zukunftsbrücke campus conducted off-the-record conversations with well-known experts, went on thematic excursions and attended intercultural training sessions. Within the group and with experts, they discussed trends, current developments and challenges in Germany and China as well the countries’ bilateral relationship. Distinguished deans from both countries guided the Zukunftsbrücke.

Dr. Michael Schaefer, former Chairman of the Board of the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt and former Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China, and Dr. Astrid Skala-Kuhmann, Advisor on China and Former Country Director GIZ China, acted as German deans.

Stifung Mercator, Zukunftsbruecke, Foto: Eberhard J. Schorr, 12.10.2015, Berlin, Deutschland

Building Bridges through Dialogue: A Network of Dedicated Young Leaders

The Zukunftsbrücke – Chinese–German Young Professional Campus seeks to create an intersectoral network of dynamic young leaders from China and Germany united personally and professionally to advance their countries’ sustainable partnership.

The German and Chinese governments support the Zukunftsbrücke goals, which are regularly mentioned in joint declarations of  German-Chinese government consultations, most recently in 2016.

The Zukunftsbrücke – Chinese-German Young Professional Campus is a project by Stiftung Mercator and BMW Foundation. Former cooperation partners in China are the All-China Youth Federation (ACYF) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS).

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