Reunion featured panel on Afghanistan, networking sessions and masterclasses, among many other events.
After over one year of virtual events, our alumni community met again in person at the Hertie School for their annual Alumni Reunion weekend in September. Under the motto, “Reconnecting in times of crisis”, the School created a safe environment to learn, engage and celebrate.
The three-day weekend kicked off with the public panel, “A bitter ending? Afghanistan and its way forward”, featuring Andreas von Brandt, the EU Ambassador to Afghanistan; Marina Henke, Hertie School Professor of International Relations and Director at the Centre for International Security; and Basir Feda, Head of Unit, Afghanistan & Central/South Asia and MPP 2014 alumnus. Participants shared their thoughts and expertise on the current situation in Afghanistan. The panel was moderated by alumna Harmke Kruithof, Policy Officer at the EU delegation to Afghanistan, and was livestreamed to the alumni community worldwide via the Hertie School’s YouTube channel.
On day 2, members of the wider Hertie School community gathered to commemorate the life and work of late President Henrik Enderlein. After the community event with Acting President Mark Hallerberg, Managing Director Axel Baisch and Chair of our Supervisory Board Bernd Knobloch, alumni gathered on campus for a day of masterclasses and networking sessions.
True to our traditions, we celebrated this year’s Alumni Achievement Award winners Alexander Busold and Laura Franken (both MPP 2016), who were honoured for their leadership in founding the Her.Tietz Initiative, which aims to combat antisemitism. “Understanding today also means learning from our past,” said Mark Hallerberg during the award ceremony. “Alexander and Laura’s activism embodies our mission of active engagement for the common good.”
After a socially distanced party on a rooftop overlooking Berlin, alumni wrapped up this year’s reunion with a strategy session with Managing Director Axel Baisch. Channeling their #hertielove spirit, alumni discussed how to stay connected and engaged within the Hertie School community and how to take the alumni network to the next level. Stay tuned for the exciting plans the Alumni Affairs team and our Alumni have for the upcoming months!