This year’s New Year’s Reception of the Diplomatic Council combined a tour d’horizon of global politics with clear signals of economic strength, all set within the atmosphere of a “family gathering” among long-standing members and numerous new guests.
Global Politics on Earth and in Space
Diplomatic Council President Professor Dr Heinrich Kreft, Ambassador (ret.), delivered a keynote address on the current global political landscape from a European perspective – a speech that could hardly have been more timely. He broadened the focus beyond our planet, highlighting the growing relevance of outer space: it has evolved into a strategically vital domain, both for economic growth and for security. Together with Jochen M. Richter, Chairman of the Global Security Forum within the Diplomatic Council, he outlined the key elements of Europe’s space strategy as presented in the newly published book “Space Security – Extending European Defence into Space”, recently released by Diplomatic Council Publishing. The topic clearly resonates with the current moment: book presentations in the run-up to the Munich Security Conference (12 February) and the BDI Space Night (13 February) have already been confirmed, with numerous additional requests for presentations at home and abroad.
Family Businesses as the Cornerstone of Economic Prosperity
Equally significant were the strategic signals for economic strength set during this year’s reception. The Diplomatic Council is founded on the firm conviction that economic diplomacy constitutes a central pillar of international understanding, and that economic prosperity, which brings tangible benefits to people’s lives, forms a crucial basis for lasting peace. Family businesses lie at the heart of economic success and social stability – in Germany as in many other countries. Against this backdrop, the Diplomatic Council entered into a new strategic partnership with the Witten Institute for Family Business at Witten/Herdecke University, an agreement formally signed during the reception. Witten/Herdecke University is widely regarded as a cradle of ethical entrepreneurship, fostering a culture in which entrepreneurial thinking, responsibility and innovation are brought together. The Institute is supported by the WIFU Foundation, which brings together around 80 family-owned companies. The partnership was signed on behalf of the Institute by Professor Dr Heiko Kleve, Director of the Institute, and PD Dr Tobias Koellner, Head of Research and Teaching, and on behalf of the Diplomatic Council by Secretary General Hang Nguyen and Dr Govindraj Dempo, Head of DC Mission India and member of the Board of Trustees of the Diplomatic Council Future Academy.
Top Interim Managers 2026 – the Best of the Best
The Future Academy was also at the centre of attention during the awards ceremony for the “Top Interim Managers 2026”. Warm congratulations go to Jane Enny van Lambalgen, Ulf Camehn, Eckhart Hilgenstock, Klaus-Peter Stöppler, Roland Streibich and Paul Stricker. For the second time, the Diplomatic Council Future Academy, in cooperation with UnitedInterim – the leading community for interim managers – honoured the very best professionals in this field. These temporary executives play a pivotal role in safeguarding economic prosperity by enabling companies to remain agile and operational in times of accelerating market change, more frequent crises and ever-evolving challenges.
An Inspiring Evening
Participants engaged in lively discussions on these and many other topics within the elegant surroundings of the historic Villa Bonn. Members from the various thematic communities – including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, supervisory boards and security – shared the latest developments and insights from their fields. The outstanding cuisine of the villa added to an evening that was both stimulating and relaxed. Friendships were deepened, fresh contacts established and new projects set in motion – a truly outstanding start to the year.