„It was an extraordinary crash course that I don’t think could be bettered. In a week, I learned more than I could have discovered in the grandest library or on the most luxurious of holidays.“ (British participant)

About the Conference

Since 1961, young Britons and Germans aged between 25 and 30 have been meeting annually to exchange views on the political agendas of their countries. Conducted in English, the Jung Königswinter Conference has a central political, economic or sociocultural theme. The participants are divided into 3-4 study groups that examine specific aspects of the main theme. The results of the discussions are published in the conference report.

Alongside the discussions there is a supporting programme including talks by guest speakers from politics, business and the public sector, as well as visits to ministries, companies and sites of historical interest. Furthermore, participants attend a dinner and a lunch at the invitation of the British or respectively the German government.

Attending the Conference

Potential candidates can submit an independent application or be nominated by, for example, a past participant of either Young Königswinter or Königswinter, a representative of business, charitable organisations, research institutes, political parties or unions, or by a representative of the Gesellschaft.

The Young Königswinter Conference addresses the up-and-coming generation of British and German decision-makers. The participants are drawn from a wide base including politics, business, academia, culture, the media, the third-sector, and have either already started their careers or are completing postgraduate studies.

Prerequisites for an application are a high degree of political awareness (also at a European level) and an excellent command of the English language. Participants are expected to be well prepared in order to be able to contribute to the discussions – for example, by giving a short introduction to the subject of their chosen study group.

If you are interested in taking part in the conference or submitting the name of a suitable candidate, please visit the Conference Website.

Jung Königswinter Alumni

The intensive discussions contribute not only to a better understanding of the subject matter, but are also the basis for the establishment of private and professional contacts. There is an active group of alumni who organise meetings, both formal and less formal, in Germany, the UK and other places of interest. For more information on the Jung Königswinter Alumni click YKW Alumni.

For more information see ykw.debrige.de.

The Königswinter Conference was established in 1950 with the aim of improving the troubled relationship between Germany and Great Britain. It takes its name from the Rhineside spa opposite Bonn where the Conference took place initially. Since then the Conference has convened once a year bringing together around 80 German and British politicians, diplomats, business managers, academics and journalists for a profound exchange of ideas. Königswinter has created bonds and friendships helping to improve the understanding of policy differences on topical issues and challenges and to work towards common approaches. The issues discussed over the years have ranked from security policy, the Atlantic alliance, European integration, the future of the welfare state, education policy and the integration of ethnic minorities to international economic policy. The Königswinter Conference is organised jointly by the Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft and its British counterpart, UK Koenigswinter.

Location, Date and Programme

The Königswinter Conference takes place alternately in Germany or Britain, normally in spring or early summer of each year. The overall theme of the Conference is always a broad one in order to allow for exchange between participants of different backgrounds.

The conference lasts for two days, beginning with a plenary discussion. Afterwards, participants break up into working groups devoted to in depth discussion of a specific topic, such as security issues or economic questions. The conference usually begins with a plenary discussion. Results of these working group meetings are presented in the closing session.

Participants of Königswinter

The Joint British-German Steering Committee decides on the topics of the following year’s conference several months in advance, taking into account current political and social trends. This also ensures that there is enough time to select and invite suitable participants.

Participants are selected by the Königswinter Steering Committee, and invited by Königswinter UK, respectively by the Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft, the organising bodies of the Conference. Moreover, the organisers gladly accept nominations of suitable candidates by former attendees, our partners and other stakeholders in public life. We will consider these recommendations depending on the candidates’ professional profiles and the conference themes.

Over the past decades, it has proven useful to maintain a mix of “newcomers” and experienced participants with the aim of maintaining the spirit of Königswinter as well as promoting novel connections.
If you would like to submit a nominee, please contact Mari Mittelhaus, Conference Manager: headoffice(at)debrige(dot)de

Themes of Königswinter

The agenda covers topical issues, for example European integration, the future of the welfare state, the international economy, joint European defence policy or growing ethnic diversity and its implications for our societies. Working groups discuss allocated topics and report their results at the closing session.

Please click here for past years‘ themes.

Reports

For conference reports please visit the publications section.

The 12th Defence and Security Königswinter Conference took place in April 2024 in London.

Den Bericht zur Konferenz können Sie sich hier durchlesen.

The 21st Economic Königswinter Conference took place in London at the end of October 2023.