Hertie Highlights

Liam Byrne, MP, Labour Party (UK)The AfD’s historic 43,8% in Saxony-Anhalt is more than a warning about the strength of the far right. It exposes a deeper challenge for democratic politics: where people's economic insecurity, political alienation and uncertainty about the future overlap, populists are increasingly effective at turning frustration into anger, fear and a promise to “take back control”.As Liam Byrne, MP, Labour Party and Chair of the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee, argues in his new book Why Populists Are Winning: and How to Beat Them, populists have become remarkably effective at giving voters a sense of agency and a compelling story about who is to blame. Democratic parties, meanwhile, have too often ceded the emotional terrain of politics, including anger, belonging and hope, to their far-right opponents.What does this mean for Germany’s CDU-SPD coalition and Labour under Britain´s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham? How can they combine tangible economic and social delivery with a more compelling political offer: one that restores trust, gives people a sense of agency and makes the future feel worth fighting for?This discussion explores what Germany and Britain can learn from each other about the populist revolt reshaping democratic politics and rebuilding the political centre: not by chasing populists, but by making democratic politics more credible, emotionally resonant and capable of delivering change.━━━━━━━━Understand today. Shape tomorrow.▶ Website: https://www.hertie-school.org▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/school/hertie-school▶ Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehertieschool▶ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hertieschool.bsky.social▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/school/hertie-school▶ Substack: https://substack.com/@thehertieschool This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

Kyriakos Pierrakakis, President of EurogroupEurope’s economic challenges are clear: weak productivity growth, huge investment needs, growing global competition and increasingly tight public finances. At the same time, geopolitical tensions and financial risks are putting Europe’s economic model under new pressure.So, what will it take to make Europe more competitive, productive and resilient?In this conversation, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, President of the Eurogroup and Minister of Economy and Finance of Greece, joins Thu Nguyen, Acting Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre, to discuss the choices facing Europe’s economy.From mobilising Europe’s vast private savings and completing the Single Market to shaping the next EU budget and simplifying rules for businesses, the discussion explores what Europe needs to do to unlock investment, boost productivity and achieve the scale needed to prosper.Can Europe overcome national fragmentation and build a stronger economic future?https://www.hertie-school.org/en/events/event-detail/event/conversation-with-kyriakos-pierrakakis This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

The keynote address from Mauro Gilli, Professor of Military Strategy and Technology at the Hertie School’s Centre for International Security, on “Technological Competitions and International Politics”, delivered to incoming students at the Opening of the Academic Year 2026/27.Mauro talks about how technology changes over time, innovation, and the relationship between technology and policy.━━━━━━━━Understand today. Shape tomorrow.▶ Website: https://www.hertie-school.org▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/school/hertie-school▶ Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehertieschool▶ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hertieschool.bsky.social▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/school/hertie-school▶ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DwjtJyb6n9SlfTKcbFyAu▶ Substack: https://substack.com/@thehertieschoolThe Hertie School is a private university based in Berlin, Germany, accredited by the state and the German Science Council. It prepares exceptional students for leadership positions in government, business, and civil society. Interdisciplinary and practice-oriented teaching, first-class research and an extensive international network set the Hertie School apart and position it as an ambassador of good governance, characterised by public debate and engagement. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

22 June 2026, Berlin PhilharmonieWolfgang Schmidt, former Federal Minister for Special Affairs, delivers an inspirational speach to Hertie Graduates. He talks about leadership, cooperation, and respecting other opinions and valuing comprimise.https://www.hertie-school.org/en/news/detail/content/hertie-school-celebrates-class-of-2026https://www.hertie-school.org/en/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

Reem Alabali Radovan, German Ministor for Economic Cooperation and Development, speaks at the launch of the joint initiative on migration by the Hertie School and the Gere Foundation. She talks about the migration, displacement, and refugees around the world and specifically about Europe.“We have to make sure, as Europeans, together with our partners in Africa, that no more people die in the mediterranean sea.”“What is required is clear, people need to be able to see a future in the place they live, opportunities that make it worth staying for them and their children.”https://www.hertie-school.org/en/fundamental-rightshttps://gerefoundation.org/The new Joint Initiative will examine the deep causes of migration, that is, push, pull, and repeal factors that structure migration flows, addressing the drivers of transnational movements holistically. It will consider state policies, their consequences, and the interplay between them, exploring alternatives and proposing better ways forward to prompt a fundamental change of approach.Full event recording on YouTube: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

Richard Gere speaking on the occasion of the public launch of the joint initiative on migration between the Hertie School Centre for Fundamental Rights and The Gere Foundation.https://www.hertie-school.org/en/fundamental-rights https://gerefoundation.org/Mr Gere speaks of his personal experience and hopes for the future.The new Joint Initiative will examine the deep causes of migration, that is, push, pull, and repeal factors that structure migration flows, addressing the drivers of transnational movements holistically. It will consider state policies, their consequences, and the interplay between them, exploring alternatives and proposing better ways forward to prompt a fundamental change of approach.Full event recording on YouTube: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

The Jacques Delors Centre at the Hertie School is pleased to have hosted a keynote speech by José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of Spain, on the future of Europe in an increasingly fragmented and competitive world.At a moment of profound geopolitical change, Europe faces growing pressure to strengthen its capacity to act collectively - economically, socially, and in matters of security and defence. From Russia’s war against Ukraine to global industrial competition and the climate crisis, the European Union is being tested on multiple fronts at once. Against this backdrop, Minister Albares shared his reflections on the future of Europe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

A timely discussion on Europe’s geoeconomic future with Clément Beaune, drawing on his experience at the highest levels of French and European policymaking.Geopolitical tensions have laid bare the depth of Europe’s strategic dependencies, spanning security, energy, and critical raw materials. In an increasingly adversarial geoeconomic landscape, how can the EU reduce its most acute vulnerabilities, while leveraging its strengths to enhance resilience and increase its capacity to act? A spotlight on Clément Beaune, who shares his insights at the intersection of European policy, economic strategy, and global challenges, drawing on his experience and the work of the French High Commissioner for Strategy and Planning, with particular attention to the role of Franco-German cooperation in shaping a coherent European approach.The discussion addresses key questions:On what strengths can the EU draw to improve its geoeconomic position?Can Europe remain an open trade partner and reduce vulnerabilities at the same time?How far should “Buy European” approaches go without undermining competitiveness?Where do France and Germany differ in their vision for Europe’s geoeconomic power and where is convergence possible to build a coherent European strategy? The keynote is followed by a moderated discussion with Thu Nguyen, Acting Co-Director of the Jacques Delors Centre, including a Q&A with the audience. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

Symposium in memoriam Claus Offe, part 3/527 March 2026, Henrik Enderlein Forum, Hertie SchoolPublic lecture: Social science and social progressModerator: Melinda CraneSetting the stage with Claus Offe’s reflections: Ulrich Preuss and Helmut K AnheierPanellists: Sven Giegold, Gesine Schwan, and Lea YpiView the full five panel event on YouTube:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVyW-1uzF8DZtYw2xxUm0tQF7Iuovj56n&si=KevPhl1896lARqShClaus Offe dedicated his intellectual life to uncovering the conditions for social progress in the modern world, probing notions of social justice and how to defend individual freedoms. While keenly aware of the tensions liberal and open-market societies harbour, the profound challenges democracies face, and the complex contradictions of political transitions, neither optimism nor hope left him in any doubt that the social sciences can improve the world.In his unpublished “A Short Account of my Professional Life, Including Facets of lts Context”, which he shared only with close friends, he wrote: “I have also been convinced that social science research is virtually worthless unless its findings provoke, throw light on, or can serve as arguments in normative discourses on the nature of a ‘well-ordered society’ and its defining features of the reasonable use of freedom and distributive justice. A key goal must be to propose, in the mode of thoughtful wishing rather than that of wishful thinking, ways to achieve that end.”This symposium will honour Claus Offe’s intellectual achievements by taking his compelling argument as a point of departure, highlighting his insights and contributions to a better future for our societies, and embracing the spirit of “thoughtful wishing” that he championed.The symposium includes a public session with representatives from politics and academia, as well as a series of panels to debate the intellectual legacy of Claus Offe.Speakers and panellists will focus on key elements of Claus Offe’s work and apply them to current political challenges and debates. Brief opening statements or keynote speeches will set the stage, bridging academic discussions and current political debates. They will address one key question: “How can Claus Offe’s contributions and insights help shape the future?” Throughout the conference, we will revisit excerpts from Claus Offe’s writing and reflections, applying his perspective to current challenges.━━━━━━━━Understand today. Shape tomorrow.▶ Website: https://www.hertie-school.org▶ Facebook: https://facebook.com/hertieschool▶ Instagram: https://instagram.com/thehertieschool▶ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/hertieschool.bsky.social▶ LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/school/hertie-schoolThe Hertie School is a private university based in Berlin, Germany, accredited by the state and the German Science Council. It prepares exceptional students for leadership positions in government, business, and civil society. Interdisciplinary and practice-oriented teaching, first-class research and an extensive international network set the Hertie School apart and position it as an ambassador of good governance, characterised by public debate and engagement. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com

We are honoured to welcome Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, at the Jacques Delors Centre at the Hertie School for an open conversation on the future of Europe. The event is organised in cooperation with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Germany.President Metsola answers questions from Hertie School students and audience members.From geopolitics and security to competitiveness, democracy, and social cohesion, this event offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the EU’s key decision-makers on the most pressing issues shaping Europe’s future.e are honoured to welcome Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, at the Jacques Delors Centre at the Hertie School for an open conversation on the future of Europe. The event is organised in cooperation with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Germany.President Metsola answers questions from Hertie School students and audience members.From geopolitics and security to competitiveness, democracy, and social cohesion, this event offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of the EU’s key decision-makers on the most pressing issues shaping Europe’s future.Understand today. Shape tomorrow. ▶ Website: ⁠https://www.hertie-school.org⁠ ▶ Facebook: ⁠https://facebook.com/hertieschool⁠ ▶ Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/thehertieschool⁠ ▶ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/hertieschool.bsky.social⁠ ▶ LinkedIn: ⁠https://linkedin.com/school/hertie-school⁠ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thehertieschool.substack.com