Richard von Weizsäcker Forum

When familiar certainties begin to erode, new ways of thinking and acting are needed. At the Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2025, around 70 international Fellows came together to discuss how societal, political, and ecological transformation can be shaped under conditions of profound uncertainty – openly, critically, and across disciplines.

This year’s Richard von Weizsäcker Forum dedicated itself to this topic of the Changing International Order. Our Richard von Weizsäcker Fellows gathered here in Germany to discuss the nature and nuances of the changing international order, its impact on their spheres of work: ranging from diplomacy, climate advocacy to social cohesion and civil society as well as deliberate with a variety of German stakeholders including Members of Parliament, analysts, activists, teachers and students on how the changing international order is impacting the socio-political discourse in Germany, how the multitude of conflicts is impacting it’s social fabric and influencing rapidly changing political realities at a domestic level.

Political polarization and rising populism threaten our democracies and social cohesion. During this year’s Richard von Weizsäcker Forum, former, current, and future fellows came together for a study trip to Berlin and Saxony to discuss the roots and consequences of political polarization in Germany and around the world.

This year’s Richard von Weizsäcker Forum took former, current, and future Robert Bosch Academy fellows to the Bavarian Alps for a study tour about the global climate crisis and Germany’s energy transition.  

As part of the Richard von Weizsäcker Forum from October 11 to 14, 2021, former, current, and future fellows of the Robert Bosch Academy convened for a study tour to the Saar-Lor-Lux region and Berlin.

The unequal distribution of power, wealth, and privileges in and between societies is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Growing inequalities worsen social polarization and undermine the legitimacy of political institutions. At the Richard von Weizsäcker Forum, held from October 12 to 15, 2020, some 50 former, current, and future fellows of the Robert Bosch Academy addressed the complex dimensions of the topic of inequality.

To play a role in the 21st century, or at least to have some relevance in today's globalized world of politics and economics, we must act together as Europe”, said President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble in a conversation with the fellows. From 7 to 11 October 2018, the Richard von Weizsäcker Forum reunited former, current, and future fellows of the Robert Bosch Academy. In Berlin, they discussed current global challenges with international guests. The subsequent three-day study trip took the fellows to Stuttgart and Karlsruhe to talk to German interlocutors about how Germany is preparing itself for the future.

„Germany right before federal elections“ was the focus topic of the Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2017 from 10 to 14 September. Around 45 former, current and future Fellows explored Grimma, Leipzig und Munich at the study tour.

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum from 4 to 9 September 2016 with 25 former, current, and future Fellows was dedicated to the topic “Germany and the Refugee Story.”

The Richard von Weizsäcker Forum began on 10 November 2015 with over 200 invited guests in the Berlin Representative Office of the Robert Bosch Stiftung.