What's it like to work to reform Germany?

Economic stagnation, inefficient public services, rising security risks – the laundry list of problems Germany is struggling with is long. The “Initiative for an Effective State”, a cross-party initiative coordinated by a Head Office at the Hertie School Centre for Digital Governance, aims to create reform proposals for the next German government, to be elected later this month. 

What’s it like to work in the Head Office, the machine room of the initiative? We talked to Master of Public Policy student Nuria Köchling to get a sneak peek.

The Initiative for an Effective State aims to help reform Germany. What is the role of the Head Office in that?

The Head Office plays a central role in ensuring that all processes run smoothly and effectively. This includes managing the scheduling of the seven working groups’ meetings and facilitating clear and efficient communication between the initiative's initiators and the experts within each group. Our overarching goal is to provide the experts and initiators with the tools and information they need to prepare for their meetings. 

We as the administrative team aim to create an environment where meaningful discussions can take place, enabling the development of actionable and realistic reform proposals for Germany. To support this process, we compile summaries of the content discussed in each working group meeting. These summaries are then shared with both the experts and initiators, helping them build on prior discussions and effectively prepare for their next meeting. In this way, the Head Office ensures a smooth and productive workflow across all levels of the initiative.

How have you been involved so far?

We are a team of four, two master’s students and two PhD candidates, who support the project as research assistants. I myself oversee approximately three working group meetings per month, after which I compile and distribute a detailed synopsis to all participants. Our responsibilities also include sharing relevant, up-to-date research with the respective working groups and circulating reform ideas submitted by the experts to keep everyone informed and aligned.

In the past three weeks, I produced a meta-analysis for the initiators consolidating the key topics and reform proposals from the first ten meetings held so far. The goal was to identify and present emerging syntheses from the various discussions, enabling their meaningful integration into the broader process going forward. 

How does working in the Head Office link up with your studies?

Working in the Head Office complements my master’s in public policy well. I chose the ‘Management and Organisation’* focus track in the programme and have taken several management and strategy courses over the past months, which have been valuable for my work. These courses have enhanced my ability to coordinate and communicate across different levels effectively. Two courses in particular have come in handy for my work in the initiative: ‘Public Service in a Digital Age’ with Prof. Gerhard Hammerschmid and ‘Power & Influence: Leadership in Action’ with Prof. Johanna Mair. These courses have provided insights into how various stakeholders pursue their own goals and the challenges of reaching consensus when everyone is intent on defending their “turf”.

*Editor’s note: This concentration within the Master of Public Policy programme is now “Governance and Leadership”.

Background information

The Initiative for an Effective State (German: Initiative für einen handlungsfähigen Staat) is a cross-party initiative under the patronage of German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The initiative was launched by Media Executive Julia Jäkel, law expert and former Constitutional Court President Andreas Voßkuhle, and former Federal Ministers Thomas de Maizière and Peer Steinbrück. Working groups within the initiative will propose reforms in seven key areas: security and resilience, public administration and federalism, digital state, Germany’s competitiveness as a business location climate, social affairs and education, and conditions for successful societal change. 

The Head Office at the Hertie School is led by Managing Director Martin Klingst and Academic Director Gerhard Hammerschmid, Professor of Public and Financial Management at the Hertie School Centre for Digital Governance.

For more information, visit our webpage Initiative for an Effective State and see our press release announcing the initiative.