Hertie School celebrates its Class of 2021 through a virtual ceremony and celebration.
Berlin, 17 June 2021 – The Hertie School today conferred degrees on the 2021 graduates of the Master of Public Policy, Master of International Affairs and Doctoral programmes. A pre-recorded ceremony was broadcast online.
Anne-Marie Slaughter, CEO of the US think tank New America, held the commencement speech, and Former WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy also provided words of encouragement to this year’s graduating cohort.
Slaughter said the pandemic would remain a defining experience for graduates going forward: “Renew yourselves, your organisations, your countries and the world,” she told the Class of 2021. This will require “running toward criticism, leading from the margins as well as from the centre, and sharing power widely.”
As experts in public problem-solving, Hertie School graduates pursue careers in government, administration and international organisations, as well as in companies, foundations and non-governmental organisations. Among other things, their studies focus on governance and political decision-making in globally interconnected, multi-level systems.
Mark Hallerberg, Acting President, presided over this year’s celebration. In his remarks, Hallerberg praised the resilience and tenacity of the graduating cohort. “The Class of 2021 is no stranger to breaking down barriers, to confronting divisions and advocating for social change. I look forward to continuing the work we have started to ensure that the Hertie School is an inclusive, welcoming, and safe space for academic debate and discussion.”
Hallerberg also paid tribute to Hertie School past President Henrik Enderlein, who passed away on 28 May 2021 at the age of 46. Enderlein had been Professor of Political Economy at the Hertie School since 2005, and had served in many roles, most recently as President from 2018 until 2021.
Find the profiles of current Hertie School graduates in our online CV book.
The video of the graduation ceremony can be found on our YouTube channel.