This year’s Diplomatic Council Summer Gala was positively incandescent, both in its balmy climes and its scintillating discourse.
A Fiery Commencement
Following a fervent welcome by the German Ambassador and Diplomatic Council President, Prof. Dr. Heinrich Kreft, Secretary-General Hang Nguyen navigated the proceedings with sparkling aplomb.
An Ardent Oration by the French Consul General
The French Consul General, Nicolas Emmanuel Bergeret, kindled the hearts of members and guests with a blazing oration on the pivotal role of Franco-German amity in shaping Europe’s destiny. His impassioned advocacy for this cherished partnership was met with resounding, prolonged applause.
A Radiant Startup Summit
The startup summit, orchestrated by Consul General Bergeret, proved an absolute tour de force. “At a time when the Franco-German partnership is gaining fresh momentum, it is vital that our startups converge. The Diplomatic Council’s Summer Gala provides an invaluable stage to breathe life into this alliance,” he declared. On display were the luminous ventures Compredict (virtual automotive sensors), Celestical (European cloud computing), and Lucca (HR and administration SaaS) from France, alongside Germany’s dataMatters (smart cities). Immediate collaborative discussions ensued, with Toulouse poised for a smart city transformation courtesy of dataMatters.
Literary Laurels: The Quality Writers Award
For their distinguished contributions to the Diplomatic Council’s publishing house, members Eckhart Hilgenstock, Jane Enny van Lambalgen, Michael Mattis, Hubert Nowatzki, Jochen Richter, Prof. Dr. Günther Singer, and Dr. Horst Walther were honoured with the “Quality Writers Award.” This accolade affirms that their works meet the exacting standards required for submissions to the United Nations, reflecting the Council’s prestigious UN Consultative Status.
A Dazzling Pinnacle: Top Interim Manager 2025
The evening reached a resplendent crescendo with the conferment of the “Top Interim Manager 2025” title upon Diplomatic Council members Jane Enny van Lambalgen, Eckhart Hilgenstock, and Klaus-Peter Stöppler. These trailblazers are the inaugural recipients of this distinguished award, bestowed by the Diplomatic Council Future Academy in partnership with United Interim. The ceremony was graced by academic luminaries, including Dr. Harald Schönfeld (Academic Director), Prof. Dr. Günther Singer (Dean), Prof. Dr. Heinrich Kreft (Chair of the Board of Trustees), and Dr. Govindraj Dempo, Ph.D. (International Trustee).
Refined Salon Discourse
No less vital were the elegant “salon conversations” that unfolded in the stately ambiance of Villa Bonn. The evening’s conviviality was enhanced by the exquisite cuisine, complemented by Parisian bistro bakery “Baguette Jeannette” and “Käseladen K34 by Maison Ducamp” (cheese, wine, and delicacies), both invited by Consul General Bergeret, which infused the gala with quintessential French flair.
The international Diplomatic Council delegations from India and the Netherlands were also warmly welcomed and a great enrichment.
“The Finest Summer Gala of the Year”
“I always find the Diplomatic Council’s Summer Gala to be the most splendid of the year,” enthused a member of over a decade’s standing. To which we say: heartfelt thanks!