Richard von Weizsäcker Forum

The Richard von Weizsäcker Forum is the annual gathering of the Fellows of the Robert Bosch Academy in Berlin. It brings together former, current, and future Fellows from around the world and fosters interdisciplinary and multilateral exchange on global challenges.

Named after former German President Richard von Weizsäcker—long-standing member of the Board of Trustees of the Robert Bosch Foundation—the Forum provides a stable framework for dialogue and collaboration within the international Fellows community. Today, this community comprises 127 Fellows from more than 50 countries across six continents.

At the heart of the Forum lies conversation—on political, social, economic, and cultural issues of global and European relevance. During the opening event, Fellows in Conversation, participants engage in discussions with international interlocutors in Berlin, exploring current developments and perspectives. A subsequent study trip deepens the engagement with Germany and enables encounters with actors from politics, business, civil society, culture, and the media.

Year after year, the Forum creates new connections and impulses—driven by a shared commitment to sustaining dialogue across borders and developing new approaches to the challenges of our time.

Recent Richard von Weizsäcker Forums

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2024

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.

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2023

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.

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2022

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.

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2021

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.

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2020

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.

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2018

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.

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2017

„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...

Richard von Weizsäcker Forum 2016

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.”

First Richard von Weizsäcker Forum

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.

Focus Areas of Previous Richard von Weizsäcker Forums

2023 – Political Polarisation

An examination of increasing societal fragmentation; encounters with political and civil society actors in Berlin and Saxony.

"For many participants, the topic of polarisation became deeply personal and at the same time a moment of connection between our different life experiences and the realities of life in Germany.“
— Anasuya Sengupta, Richard von Weizsäcker Fellow

2022 – Climate Crisis and Energy Transition

Focus on Germany’s contribution to global climate policy; conversations on the energy transition, sustainability, and ecological transformation during a study trip to the Bavarian Alps.

„My goal is to ensure that we can continue to live well in the future – even under the conditions of the climate crisis.“
— Steffi Lemke, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection

2018 – Europe and Technological Change

Conversation on Europe’s role in a globalised world; discussions on digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and their impact on politics and society.

„To play a role in the globalised politics and economy of the 21st century – or to remain relevant at all – Europe must work together.“
— Wolfgang Schäuble, former President of the German Bundestag

2016 – Social Change and Migration

Engagement with questions of integration and societal responses to forced migration.

„We need places where people from different worlds can come together to learn from one another.“
— Richard von Weizsäcker, former Federal President of Germany