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Working Group of Young Foreign Policy Experts Current voluntary engagement peace & Security

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The Working Group of Young Foreign Policy Experts in Vilnius in September 2022

Development and Background

The Working Group of Young Foreign Policy Experts was initiated in 2001 by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung to bring together younger individuals interested and experienced in foreign policy, and to provide them with a forum for exchange to discuss and draw up solutions for current political challenges.

Members of the Working Group regularly meet in Berlin, Cadenabbia or abroad, in order to jointly work on current foreign policy issues. Here, they conduct high-level talks, participate in panel discussions or draft policy papers. Hence, over the last few years the Working Group has travelled to Moscow, Rome, Ankara, Vienna, Brussels and Vilnius, for example, to discuss the latest political developments and international issues there. Furthermore, some representatives from the Working Group are invited to presentations and discussions of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung both in Germany and abroad.

 

Themes and Objective

The Working Group of Young Foreign Policy Experts consists of some 25 young academics, think tank members and employees from the parliamentary sector as well as the various ministries. They include political scientists, regional scientists, economists, business economists, lawyers and many more, which means the Working Group has a broad range of professional skills and interests. Yet despite this large portfolio encompassing diverse expertise, all members have one thing in common: they are interested in foreign policy in all its facets – from European policy to transatlantic relations, from security and defence policy through to economic, technology and development policy. Thematically, it deals with various issues pertaining to German foreign policy and has made it its ongoing mission to draw up policy-oriented solutions. Over recent years, the Working Group has devoted itself in particular to Germany’s EU Council Presidency 2020, the increasing great power rivalries and German engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

As a forum for discussions and drawing up solutions to urgent foreign policy issues, the Working Group aims to contribute towards an active foreign policy culture. What is more, it intends to play a role in better identifying and networking foreign policy expertise and engagement in Germany.

 

Members

Below you will find an overview with all active and former members of the Working Group of Young Foreign Policy Experts. If you are interested in cooperating or have queries about our work, don’t hesitate to get in contact with the Programme Officer.

Members of the working group at a glance: A–H

 ​

Yilmaz Akkoyun
born in 1989, based in Berlin
Senior Policy Officer at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Prior:

  • Graduate Consultant at the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), Kampala (Uganda) and in New York City
  • Senior Policy Advisor/Head of Office to a Member of the German Parliament in Berlin

Studies:

  • Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in the city of New York
  • Master of Public Policy (MPP) from Hertie School of Governance in Berlin
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Public Management and Governance, Corporate Management and Economics from Zeppelin University with various studies abroad
  • Additional working experience at the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Berlin, German Embassy in Washington D.C., the European Commission in Brussels as well as at LEAD Mindsets and Capabilities in Berlin
  • Alumnus of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation’s scholarship program, spokesperson of the KAS-Scholars in the USA
  • Areas of expertise: sustainable development, digitalization, GovTech, cross-sector collaborations and infrastructure development in particular


 

Alexander Badenheim
Born in 1989, based in Berlin
Parliamentary Advisor to Stefan Rouenhoff MP, Member of the German Bundestag’s Economic Affairs and Energy Committee

  • Previously: Programme Manager at the Beijing office of KAS and Desk Officer China at KAS Headquarters
  • M.A. in International Security at King’s College London
  • B.A. in Asian Studies at the University of Bonn; two semesters abroad at Shanghai Jiaotong University
  • Scholarships: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), University of Bonn
  • Internships at the German consulate general Shanghai and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) in Beijing
  • Areas of interest: German/European foreign trade policy, China, Asia 


 

Clara Sophie Cramer
Born in 1998, based in Brussels
Current Trainee in the Defence Policy & Planning Division of the International Staff at NATO, and incoming Policy Advisor at the Planning Agency of the German Armed Forces

  • Previously: European Foreign, Security & Defence Policy Trainee at the EU Institute for Security Studies (EUISS)
  • Research assistant positions and internships at the European Policy Centre, the European Council on Foreign Relations, and the German Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels
  • MSc in Foreign Service at Georgetown University, Washington DC (2020-2022)
  • BA in International Relations: Politics & History at Jacobs University Bremen (2017-2020)
  • Scholarships: Alumna of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Alumna of the international voluntary service “kulturweit” in Chile 2016/2017
  • Current voluntary engagement Peace & Security Officer at the Brussels branch of the Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) network, and Member of Women in International Security (WIIS) Brussels
  • Areas of interest: Transatlantic security & defence cooperation, including between the EU and NATO, on capability development, military mobility and resilience

 


 

Jan Fuhrmann
Born in 1991, based in Berlin
Consultant Security and Risk, secori advisors

  • prior: Parliamentary Advisor at the Office of Dr. Andreas Nick MdB, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Head of the German Delegation in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
  • Master of Arts in Political Science from Goethe-University Frankfurt
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Sociology from Goethe-University Frankfurt
  • Student employments and internships at NATO Allied Command Transformation, KfW Development Bank, Fraport AG, and “loyal” (security policy journal)
  • Student Research Assistant at the Chair for German and European Foreign Policy (Prof. Dr. Gunther Hellmann) and the Chair for International Relations and Theories of World Order (Prof. Dr. Reinhard Wolf) at Goethe-University Frankfurt
  • Federal Chairman of the Academic Association for Security Studies (BSH), 2015-2017
  • Alumnus of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation’s scholarship program
  • Publications in „Zeitschrift für Außen- und Sicherheitspolitik (ZfAS)“, „loyal-Magazin für Sicherheitspolitik as well as research papers for the Federal Academy for Security Policy, and Aspen Institute Germany
  • Areas of work: German foreign, security, and defense policy; security strategy; development cooperation; Latin America; Turkey; transatlantic relations; Eastern Europe, Russia

 


 

Dr. Markus Hildebrand

Born in 1996, based in Warsaw and Nuremberg

Expert on German-Polish Relations and Central and Eastern Europe

  • Former: Research assistant at the Henry Kissinger Chair for Security and Strategic Studies, Assistant at the Department of Foreign and Security Policy at the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, and at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland
  • PhD at the University of Bonn; dissertation on German-Polish Relations in Foreign and Security Policy through the years 2007-2015 from a historical perspective
  • M.A. International Relations at the Andrássy University Budapest
  • M.A. Governance and Public Policy at the University of Passau
  • B.A. International Relations at the University of Warsaw in Polish language
  • Research stays at the University of Kent, Sorbonne University and Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
  • Scholarship holder of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Deutsches Polen-Institut in Darmstadt and University of Warsaw
  • Graduate of the Academy of Young Diplomats at the European Academy of Diplomacy in Warsaw
  • Member of the Euro-Atlantic Association (SEA) in Warsaw
  • Areas of expertise : Contemporary History, International Relations, Foreign and Security Policy, Central and Eastern Europe, German-Polish Relations

Members of the working group at a glance: I–P

 

Hanns Koenig
Born in 1989, based in Oxford/Berlin
Head of Commissioned Projects, Central Europe at Aurora Energy Research

  • Previously: Executive Assistant to Prof Roland Berger, Founder and Honorary Chairman of Roland Berger Strategy Consultants
  • Internships and work experience i.a. at the International Energy Forum, the Boston Consulting Group, Oxford Analytica and the German Foreign Office
  • Studies of International Relations and Economics at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Bologna and Washington, DC, and of Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford
  • Received merit-based scholarships from the German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) and the Haniel Foundation. Named “Junior Ambassador” at the Munich Security Conference 2013. Served on the Advisory Council of SAIS Europe in Bologna from 2013 to 2016
  • Affiliations include United Europe and the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP)
  • Areas of expertise: energy policy and economics, energy supply security, German and European energy policy, industrial policy

 


 

Jakob Kullik
Born in 1988, based in Chemnitz
Research Associate and Lecturer, International Relations, Chemnitz University of Technology

  • PhD candidate, "Resource Policy and Supply Security of Germany and the European Union with Critical Mineral Resources“
  • Visiting scientist at Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology
  • Scholar of the Foundation of the German Economy (sdw)
  • Received merit-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation
  • Affiliations: „dialog e.V. – Association of German and Russian Economists“
  • B.A. European Studies (Chemnitz/Germany), M.A. Political Science (Chemnitz, Tomsk/Russia)
  • Publications: Book: „Vernetzte (Un-)Sicherheit? Eine politisch-rechtliche Analyse der deutschen Cybersicherheitspolitik“, Verlag Dr. Kovač, (2014), Article: „Konflikt oder Kooperation? Die Arktis als potenzielle Ressourcen-Region“ (2012), if - Zeitschrift für Innere Führung der Bundeswehr
  • Areas of expertise: Foreign and Security Policy of Germany and Russia, Geopolitics, German and European Resource Policy (focus: mineral/metallic resources), IT and Cyber Security Policy

 


 

Benedikt Meng
Born in 1991, based in Berlin
Public Affairs & Business Development Manager, Infodas

  • Army Reserve Officer, Federal Armed Forces
  • Previously: Inhouse Consultant to the German Ministry of Defense / Federal Armed Forces, Office for Governmental Affairs at Allianz Germany (Berlin), European Office of the Association of the German Chemical Industry (Brussels), Israel Office of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation (Jerusalem), European Parliament (Brussels/Strasbourg)
  • Master of Public Policy at Hertie School of Governance (Berlin) and Georgetown University (Washington DC)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Culture and Economy at the University of Mannheim
  • Publications (i.a.): „Sicherheit vernetzen! Zeitenwende, Systemkonkurrenz und Sicherheit als gesamtgesellschaftliche Aufgabe“, Europäische Sicherheit & Technik (10/2022); “Rethinking US Missile Defense in Times of Diplomatic Madness”, Georgetown Security Studies Review (2017)
  • Areas of expertise: Security & Defense Policy, Aerospace & Defense Industry, Strategic Analysis & Strategy Development

 


 

Katharina Nahrung
Born in 1995, based in Berlin
Foreign Policy Advisor and Parliamentary Assistant to Thomas Erndl MP - Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee

  • M.A. Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Kent Canterbury and Phillips University Marburg (Joint Master Degree), B.A. Governance & Public Policy at the University of Passau
  • Fellow of the DAAD Integrated International Studies Programme
  • Research employments and internships in the Global Project Quality Infrastructure of the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi), at the German Embassy Managua (Nicaragua), and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, project manager of the Passauer Politiktage 2019
  • Areas of expertise: stability of states and destabilization, regional cooperation of authoritarian states (authoritarian regionalism), German foreign and security policy, development cooperation; regional focus on Latin America, especially with regard to the states of the "Pink Tide".

 


 

Dr. Alexandra Paulus
Born in 1990, based in Berlin

Researcher Cyber Security Policy and New Technologies, German Institute for International and Security Affairs
Expertise: cyber security policy, cyber diplomacy and cyber foreign policy, cyber defense

  • Previously: Project Manager Cybersecurity Policy and Resilience, interface (formerly Stiftung Neue Verantwortung, 2021-2024); PhD, Chemnitz University of Technology (2018-2022); Assistant Director, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Brazil Office (2015-2017) Doctorate in Political Science, Chemnitz University of Technology. Dissertation: “Building Bridges in Cyber Diplomacy: How Brazil Shaped Global Cyber Norms”, published 2024 by Springer Nature
  • Consulting work in the field of cyber security policy for e.g. European External Action Service, Federal Foreign Office
  • M.A. Governance & Öffentliche Ordnung, Universität Passau
  • Member of Transatlantic Cyber Forum (interface), Geneva Dialogue on Responsible Behavior in Cyberspace (diplo foundation), Women in International Security Germany (WIIS.de)
  • Alumna der European Cyber Conflict Research Initiative (ECCRI)

 


 

Franziska Petri
Born in 1993, based in Brussels
PhD Researcher in International Relations/European Studies, Leuven International and European Studies, KU Leuven

  • Doctoral fellowship of the Flanders Research Foundation (FWO), 2019-2023
  • B.A. Political Science and Psychology, Heidelberg University and Science Po Paris
  • M.A. Political Science/IR and Sociology, Heidelberg University and KU Leuven
  • Selected internships (2014-2019): Traineeship at European Commission, DG NEAR (Brussels);  Intern at Secretariat of the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the German Bundestag, Alfred von Oppenheim Center for European Policy Studies at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), Heidelberg Alumni France (Paris)
  • Selected scientific publications: Biedenkopf/Petri 2019 „EU Delegations in European Union climate diplomacy“ (Journal of European Integration 41:1); Schünemann/Petri 2017 „Euroskeptiker in der Referendumsoffensive. Das Brexit-Referendum und die neue Bedeutung offensiver Misstrauensreferenden für den europäischen Integrationsprozess“ (integration 40:2).
  • Memberships: DVPW, UACES, AEI e.V., Alternative Europa!
  • Areas of expertise: European integration, European Foreign and Security Policy, EU Climate and Energy Diplomacy, EU Enlargement/Neighbourhood Policies

Members of the working group at a glance: Q–T

Carl-Philipp Sassenrath
born in 1990, based in Berlin
Political Advisor for Economic Affairs, Climate Action and Energy, CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag

  • previously: Strategic Planning, German Federal Ministry of Health, Task Force Artificial Intelligence, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
  • PhD candidate at the Institute for Public International Law of the University of Bonn, working on a thesis on German state practice on the use of force in international law since 1990; PhD scholarship Konrad Adenauer Foundation
  • 2019-2021: Editor-in-Chief of the debate magazine CIVIS mit Sonde; 2015-2018 dep. Speaker of Young DGAP at the German Council on Foreign Relations
  • 2017-2019: Legal clerkship at the Higher Regional Court of Berlin with stages inter alia at the Division for Foreign and Security Policy at the German Federal Chancellery and at the Permanent Mission of Germany to the United Nations in New York
  • 2015-2017: Researcher, Department of Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law including Public Law in an International Context, Freie Universität Berlin
  • 2009-2014: Law studies at Universities Heidelberg and Münster, first state examination 2014 at Higher Regional Court in Hamm; East European Studies at Freie Universität Berlin; additional training in journalism and law (Münster); International Baccalaureate in UK
  • Internships at the German Parliament and international law firms; participation in conferences inter alia in Italy, Poland, Russia, Turkey, UK
  • Several academic publications, inter alia on German constituational law, international peace and security law and international and european economic law
  • Research areas: International Peace and Security Law, German Constitutional and European Law, International Economic Law, German and European foreign and security policy, Economic and technology policy

 


 

Stefan Scheller
Born in 1991, based in Berlin
Policy Planning and Strategy, Hessian State Chancellery

  • Reserve Officer, Designation for assignment at the Federal Ministry of Defence, training courses and military exercises at various Bundeswehr posts
  • Studies (M.A. and B.A.) in International Relations, Political Science and Philosophy at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Universität Regensburg, Columbia University in New York, and Universidad de los Andes in Venezuela
  • Internships at the Daimler AG headquarters department External Affairs, at the German Embassy in Buenos Aires, and at the Military Academy of the German Armed Forces
  • Publications and peer-reviews with a focus on foreign policy, security policy, and transatlantic relations
  • Memberships: Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung alumni network, Association of Parliamentary Staffers on Foreign and Security Policy
  • Areas of expertise: German and European foreign and security policy, Near and Middle East, especially Israel, transatlantic relations, foreign trade policy, civil crisis prevention, SSR

 


 

Anna-Lena Schmidt
Born in 1992, based in Berlin
Parliamentary Advisor to Annette Widmann-Mauz MP – Member of the German Bundestag‘s Foreign Affairs Committee

  • Previously: Assistant at the planning group for the chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group at the German Bundestag
  • M.A. in International Relations at Humboldt University Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, University of Potsdam
  • B.A. in Political Science/Roman Philology at Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg; semester abroad at Universidad de Guadalajara, Mexico
  • Scholarships of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Internships among others at the German Embassy in Brazil, the office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Argentina and at the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development in Bonn
  • Areas of expertise: Latin American foreign and security policy, critical security studies, international development cooperation, the Global South, geopolitics

 


 

Patrick Schünemann
Born in 1987, based in Lusaka
Advisor GIZ Zambia

  • Since 2021: GIZ Zambia, Advisor
  • 2019-2020: KPMG, Consultant Public Sector
  • 2015-2019: German Bundestag, Policy Advisor to Gunther Krichbaum MdB, Chairman of the EU-Committee
  • 2014: NATO, Intern in the Office of the Political Advisor
  • 2013-2014: European Commission, Blue Book Trainee in the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations
  • 2012-2013: MA in Security and Development studies, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
  • 2008-2012: BA in Political Science and Administration, University of Potsdam/ Université Montpellier 1, France
  • 2008-2012: Various internships (KAS, DGAP, SWP, German Embassy in Skopje, North Macedonia)
  • 2007-2008: Civilian service in an institution for people with disabilities in Jerusalem, Israel
  • Working focus: Western Balkans, EU-enlargement, US foreign policy, EU institutions, development policy, Sub-Saharan Africa

Juliana Süß

1994, London

Research Analyst and Policy Lead for Space Security at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)

  • Host of the podcast “War in Space”, which discusses the intersection of space and security
  • Research interests: space security, space governance, counterspace weapons, space warfare, geopolitics
  • Previously Intern at the Development, Concept and Doctrine Centre, the Ministry of Defence’s independent think tank
  • BA in Politics and International Relations at the University of Reading
  • MA in Conflict, Security and Development at King’s College London

 


 

Benjamin Thake
Born in 1993, based in Berlin
Manager at Agora Strategy Group

  • Previously: Senior Consultant at PD - Consultant to the Public Sector, Associate Public Sector at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Employee in the planning group of the chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, in the parliamentary office of Gunther Krichbaum MdB (European Committee) and in the foreign office of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Beijing
  • Master of Public Policy at the Hertie School of Governance (Berlin) and the National University of Singapore
  • B.A. Politics and Economics at the University of Potsdam and University of International Business and Economics Beijing (China) 
  • Scholarship holder of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V.
  • Young Leaders Axel Springer Freedom Foundation, Young Leaders Global Bridges
  • Main areas of work: Geopolitics and System Rivalry, East and Southeast Asia, Indo-Pacific, ASEAN, International Technology and Innovation Policy, Global Positioning Strategies, Geopolitical Risk Analysis, International Business Development and Market Entry Strategies, International Crisis Management, Digitalisation of the Public Sector, GovTech

 


 

Philipp Tüngler
Born in 1985, based in Berlin
Desk officer for Libya in the division for bilateral and EU relations with the Maghreb in the Federal Foreign Office

  • 2017-2019: Policy Advisor for David McAllister MEP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the European Parliament, Brussels and Strasbourg
  • 2004-2016 Officer in the German Navy:
  • 2013-2016 Security Policy, Ministry of Defense
  • 2009-2013 Officer onboard Fast Patrol Boats of the GEPARD-Class, last position: executive officer, completed deployments as a “blue helmet” with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in 2011 and 2013
  • 2004-2009 Naval Academy and officer training in Flensburg, Hamburg, Annapolis/USA and Kingston/Canada
  • M.A. in history and political science, Helmut-Schmidt-University Hamburg and Queen's University Kingston, Canada
  • MBA in International Management, ESB Business School Reutlingen
  • Areas of expertise: Maritime security, Maghreb and Common Security and Defence Policy of the EU

Members of the working group at a glance: U–Z

Vanessa Vohs
​​​​​Born in 1998, Bottrop
Researcher and Doctoral Candidate, University of the Bundeswehr Munich (Chair Prof. Dr. Carlo Masala)

  • Associated Member, Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict Law (IFHV) Bochum
  • LL.M. International Law at London School of Economics (LSE)
  • B.A. International Relations and additional certificate in Latin American studies at TU Dresden and Hebrew University Jerusalem
  • Co-Head of the International and European Affairs working group of the Junge Union NRW, Member of the Junge Union working group on defence
  • Board Member United Nations Association (UNA)-Germany
  • Podcast host of "UNrecht" from UNA-Germany, the beginner's podcast for international law in international politics
  • Previous positions: Research Assistant German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), House of Commons UK (Research Assistant Mark Logan MP), Student Assistant at the Chair of International Politics TU Dresden, Headquarters of the CDU (Analysis and Strategy for EU and Foreign Policy), KAS Jerusalem
  • Alumna of the German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung)
  • Participant in the of the development policy programme "weltwärts" in Ecuador 2016/17
  • Main areas of work: International Peace and Conflict Law, Technology and International Law, United Nations and Security Council, regions: Middle East (Israel), Europe and Latin America

 

Felicitas Elisabeth Weileder
Born in 1992, based in Berlin

Personal Advisor, Head of Division Operational Readiness and Support Armed Forces I, Federal Ministry of Defense

  • Previously: Deputy Advisor BMVg in the working group National Security Strategy, Federal Foreign Office and Advisor, Policy Division, Federal Ministry of Defense
  • Master of Public Policy at Hertie School of Governance (Berlin) and Master of Public Administration at London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE, London)
  •  Bachelor of Arts Politics and Public Administration at the University of Konstanz with an exchange semester at Sciences Po Rennes
  • Student employments and internships (i.a.) Headquarters of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), German Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Office for Jordan of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, various chairs of the University Konstanz.
  • Various regional and national voluntary positions at Amnesty International, i.a. Vice Chair of Amnesty International Germany 2017 – 2019
  • Alumna of Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, German National Academic Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes), German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
  • Areas of work: German foreign, security, and defence policy, strategic foresight, security strategy, development cooperation, comprehensive approach, crisis prevention, human rights

 

Henning Wieck

Born in 1997, based in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Junior Professional Officer in the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic

  • 2023-2024: Accredited Parliamentary Assistant to MEP Andreas Schwab, Coordinator for Internal Market Policy of the EPP Group in the European Parliament
  • 2022-2023: Parliamentary Assistant to MP Thomas Silberhorn, Coordinator for Transatlantic Relations of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group in the German Bundestag
  • 2021: Traineeship with the EPP Group in the European Parliament
  • MSc History of International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE); B.A. in political science, law and economics at Sciences Po Paris
  • Internships with GIZ India, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and in consulting
  • Former scholarship holder of the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation
  • Areas of expertise: European Single Market, European trade policy, EU relationship with EFTA countries, transatlantic relations, post-Soviet space

 

Dr. Verena Zell
Born in 1984, currently based in Berlin
Deputy Head of Division (South-Eastern and Eastern Europe, South Caucasus) and Senior Policy Officer for development cooperation with Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan

  • Desk Officer for the parliamentary department at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, responsible for the Foreign Affairs Committee and the foreign affairs team
  • Parliamentary Researcher and Policy Advisor to Dr. Norbert Röttgen MP – Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee at the German Bundestag
  • Desk Officer at the Federal Foreign Office, responsible for the Cultural Relations with Maghreb, Near and Middle East
  • Work experience at Consulate General of Germany in Novosibirsk, Goethe-Institut Strasbourg, Kienbaum Consultants International, Department of History at the Universität Köln
  • PhD in History at Universität Köln
  • MPhil in History, Spanish and Russian at Universität Köln (Germany), Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain), St. Petersburg State University (Russia)
  • Student and PhD Scholarship from the Cusanuswerk
  • Research Focus: Development cooperation with Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Ukraine; Regional development cooperation South-Caucasus; Eastern Partnership (EaP); EU perspectives and EU rapprochement of EaP countries; impact of Russian war of aggression against Ukraine on the region.

Former members of the working group at a glance

Dr. Martin Agüera
Head of External Communications, Airbus

Christoph Bender
Chief Executive Officer, Mineralölwirtschaftsverband e. V.

Prof. Dr. Stephan Bierling
Professor for Inernatioal Politics, University of Regensburg

Markus Bodler
PhD Student, University of Bonn

Ivonne Julitta Bollow
Global Director Public Policy, METRO

Daniela Braun
Head of Foreign Office Philippines, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Sebastian Brökelmann
Foreign Ministry

Dr. Angelika Bucerius
Author & Journalist

Dr. Nadine Carlson
Research assistant for a member of the state parliament in Schleswig-Holstein

Alessandro Scheffler Corvaja
Academic Coordinator & Tutor, University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich

Catrin Czyganowski
Head of Department of Economics, German Embassy Serbia

Dustin Dehéz
Head, secori advisors

Tomislav Delinic
Head of Office Czech Republic & Slovakia, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Dr. Marcel Dietsch
Commodity Derivates Trader

Aurélie Domisse
Desk Officer, Foreign Ministry

Dr. Sophie Eisentraut
Head of Research and Publications bei der Münchener Sicherheitskonferenz

Sebastian Enskat
Head of Department Democracy, Law & Parties, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Dörte Erlen
Head of Office to Anja Karliczek, MP

Christian Fischer
Lawyer

Dr. Patrick Fitschen
Head of Political Affairs, MBDA

Dr. Benedikt Franke
Chief Executive Officer, Munich Security Conference

Dr. Ulrike Franke
Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), Policy Affiliate at the Future of Humanity Institute

Dr. Ulf Gartzke
Managing Partner & Founder, Spitzberg Partners LLC

Nina-Birke Fitschen
Head of Division, Press Department of the Federal German Government

Dr. Ulrike Graalfs
Project Manager, The American Academy Berlin

Dr. Christoph Grams
Head of Department, Ministry of Health

Dr. Gudula Gutmann
Head of Office to Dr. Helge Braun, MP

Stefan Haid
Managing Partner, Roland Berger

Prof. Dr. Sebastian Harnisch
Professor for Inernational Relations, University of Heidelberg

Jan-Olaf Hausotter (†)
Political Affairs Officer, UN Stabilization Mission Haiti (MINUSTAH)

Prof. Dr. Gunther Hellmann
Professor for International Relations, University of Frankfurt a.M.

Dr. Ludwig Jung
Federal Foreign Office

Dr. Patrick Keller
Vice President, Federal Academy for Security Policy Berlin

Dr. Anna-Lena Kirch
Policy Advisor, Federal Ministry of economic Cooperation and Development

Christian Klein
Head of Division, Foreign Ministry

Markus Lackamp

Policy Advisor Working Group Economic Cooperation and Development for the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group

Dr. Pamela Luckau
Life Coach

Anke Marei Ludwig
Policy Advisor, Ministry of Economic Development

Paruvana Fiona Ludszuweit
Policy Advisor, Department International & Security Affairs, Konrad-Adenauer-Sriftung

Prof. Dr. Carlo Masala
Professor for Security Politics, University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich

Dr. Aylin Matlé
Dr. Aylin Matlé: Research Fellow, German Council on Foreign Relations

Dr. Stormy Mildner (M.Sc.)
Head of Aspen Institute Germany

Alexander Möckesch
Parliamentary Advisor to Dr. Johann Wadephul, MP

Philipp Müller
Head of CDU Baden-Württemberg

Dr. Dorothee Niebuhr
Strategy & Transformation, Audi AG

Dr. Antje Nötzold
Lecturer, Department of International Politics, Technical University Chemnitz

Dr. Heiko Piesbergen
Lawyer

Dr. Jana Puglierin
Head of European Council on Foreign Relations Berlin

Prof. Dr. Julia Püschel
John F. Kennedy Institute, Free University Berlin

Christian E. Rieck
Lecturer, Department of Military History, University of Potsdam

Dr. Maria Elisabeth Rotter
Head of Division, Press Department of the Federal German Government

Dr. Frank Sauer
University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich

Prof. Siegmar Schmidt
Professor for International Relations, University of Koblenz-Landau

Dr. Christian Schmies
Lawyer

Dr. Markus Schmitz
Chief Information Officer, Bundesagentur für Arbeit Nürnberg

Jacob Schrot
Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the CDU Parliamentary Group

Heinrich Schwabecher
Director International House, Technical University Braunschweig

Christopher Sieler
Head of Government and Public Affairs Germany, Syngenta

Franziska Stahl
Head of Desk Office, EU Mission EUCAP Mali

Dr. Anna Babette Stier
Federal Ministry of Health

Oliver Stuenkel
Assistant Professor, Getulio Vargas Foundation Sao Paulo

Luise Torvelainen Richter
Country Director, KfW Benin

Lisa-Marie Ullrich

Director of Programs, Munich Security Conference

Dr. Julian Voje
Director, secori advisors

Judith Weiß
McKinsey & Company, Frankfurt a.M.

Michael Winzer
Head of Office in Bundapest, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung

Maik Zarandi
Parliamentary Advisor to Ronja Kemmer, MP

Dr. Ingmar Zielke
Arbeitsgruppe Überbrückungshilfen, Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie

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Contact

Ferdinand Alexander Gehringer

Ferdinand Alexander Gehringer

Homeland and cyber security

ferdinand.gehringer@kas.de +49 30 26996 3709

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Publications to the topic

Schaufelradbagger in einem Tagebau IMAGO / SNA

From Titanium to Taurus

Ukrainian resources and european supply chain resilience in times of war

Klimaaußenpolitik nirutft, stock.adobe.com

Robuste Klimaaußenpolitik im Zeitalter der Systemkonkurrenz

Neue Impulse für eine erfolgreiche Klimaaußenpolitik

Satellit über Europa Jose Luis Stephens, stock.adobe.com

Galactic Formative Power

Why Europe must be present in space to continue to have the capacity to act on Earth

Handelspolitik im indopazifischen Raum golero / iStock by Getty Images

Gekommen, um zu bleiben – Deutschlands Engagement im Indo-Pazifik III

Mehr Freihandel wagen: Für die Stärkung des barrierefreien Handels mit den Ländern im Indo-Pazifik

 Die Fregatte F 217 Bayern fährt im Atlantik auf dem Weg zum Indo-Pacific Deployment 2021, am 05.08.2021. Bundeswehr / Sascha Sent

Gekommen, um zu bleiben – Deutschlands Engagement im Indo-Pazifik II

Dauerhaft, nachhaltig und substanziell gestalten: Sicherheits- und technologiepolitische Initiativen starten

Die geopolitische Rolle Deutschlands in Zeiten globaler Großmachtrivalitäten kas

Germany’s geopolitical role in an age of great power rivalries, Part 3

Part III: Security and defence policy

Die geopolitische Rolle Deutschlands in Zeiten globaler Großmachtrivalitäten kas

Germany’s geopolitical role in an age of great power rivalries, Part 2

Part II: Economic and technology policy

Strategische Außenpolitik

Germany’s geopolitical role in an age of great power rivalries, Part 1

Part I: Strategic foreign policy

Panel: Deutschalnd im VN-Sicherheitsrat 2019/20: Bereit für mehr globale Verantwortung? Marco Urban

Welche Themen werden die deutsche Außenpolitik 2019 beschäftigen?

Außenpolitischer Jahresausblick des Arbeitskreises Junge Außenpolitik, 31. Januar 2019

Die Teilnehmer der Reise

Konferenzbericht Türkei

Arbeitskreis Junge Außenpolitik

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Media library

Interview mit Alexander Badenheim

Warum sich Deutschland und EU für mehr Freihandel mit den indopazifischen Staaten einsetzen sollte

Im Interview mit Daniela Braun plädiert Alexander Badenheim für die Stärkung des barrierefreien Handels mit den Ländern im Indopazifik sowie eine Ausweitung des Freihandels.

Interview mit Jan Fuhrmann und Stefan Scheller

Wie Deutschland sich sicherheitspolitisch im Indopazifik engagieren kann

Jan Fuhrmann und Stefan Scheller erklären, wie man deutsche Sicherheitspolitik nachhaltig und substanziell durch sicherheits- und technologiepolitische Initiativen gestalten kann.

Interview mit Wissenschaftler Jakob Kullik

Warum Deutschland seine strategischen Rohstoffpartnerschaften im Indopazifik ausbauen sollte

Im Gespräch mit Daniela Braun erklärt Jakob Kullik (TU-Chemnitz), wie ein Engagement in der stetig an Relevanz zunehmenden Region für den Bereich Rohstoffhandel aussehen könnte.

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