On 16 April 2026, the Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft convened the New Königswinter Future Lab in Berlin, an event designed specifically for the next generation of UK-German bridge-builders. Bringing together young professionals and emerging voices from politics, business, civil society and academia on both sides of the Channel, the Future Lab offered a dedicated space for the generation that will shape the bilateral relationship in the decades to come. Held at the NRW State Representation in Berlin and supported by the Federal Foreign Office and bp, the day was structured around three core working groups: people-to-people exchange, digital transformation and security, and wider economic modernisation.
What made the event particularly remarkable was the signal sent by both governments from the very outset. The formal opening was delivered jointly by Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper MP — a clear statement that the views and ideas of this younger generation matter at the highest political level, and that the Königswinter Conferences are recognised as the forum for the bilateral relationship. Minister Wadephul spoke directly to the young participants, making no secret of why their presence was meaningful: they are the ones who will give life to the partnership in the years to come, shaping how both countries work together through their ideas, their networks and their engagement — whether in finance, diplomacy, tech or civil society.
His remarks set out the broader context into which this generation is stepping. Germany and the United Kingdom are facing the same monumental challenges: an eroding international order, Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, a transforming transatlantic relationship, and an accelerating technological revolution driven by AI. Against this backdrop, the Kensington Treaty provides the bilateral partnership with a new structured framework, outlining 17 priority projects — spanning the economic and political levels as well as civil society — aimed at delivering tangible benefits for citizens of both countries. But Wadephul was equally clear about the limits of formal agreements: treaties do not create partnerships — people do.
The sentiment was echoed by Yvette Cooper’s speech. The Foreign Secretary spoke warmly about her personal experiences on a school exchange in Germany and stressed the importance of the bilateral relationship vis à vis the current geopolitical and technological challenged, saying how turbulence had become the new normal and both of our countries will be stronger if we stand together rather than alone. Both the Trinty House Agreements and the Kensington Treaty are important steps to drive forward bilateral cooperation, as well as the reset in the EU-UK relationship. They set out an ambitious roadmap for the future, and she welcomed the opportunity to discuss this with young people, who form both the future of Königswinter and the future of the German-British relationship.
It was the conviction that the relationship is shaped by people rather than treaties that gave the Future Lab its particular energy. Following the Q&A, moderated by John Kampfner, Vice Chair of the Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft, participants split into three working groups and spent the morning developing concrete ideas and recommendations. The results of those discussions are set out in the report.

Download the full report from the New Königswinter Future Lab here.

Photo credit all other photos: Lukas Schramm

The event opened with brief introductions to the Kensington Treaty by Nick Pickard, UK FCDO, and Franziska Hagedorn, Federal Foreign Office. Annette Dittert, Ard, moderated the event.

Five working groups were formed. Here are some brief conclusions from their initial discussions:

1) Youth exchange
This is an area of considerable potential. For many young people taking part, it is their first time abroad, and the first time in the other country, enabling them to develop life-long ties. It is important to create compelling narratives around such exchanges. It was noted that this will become easier now that some of the travel hurdles have been lifted.

Diversity was mentioned as an important factor – it is important to ensure that the young people enjoying the opportunity will come not just from more comfortable backgrounds and from bigger cities, and to make a point of including those from less privileged and less urban situations. A geographic range is essential. It was also considered important to develop digital formats, to enable the contacts to develop online after the first trip.

2) Student exchanges
Successful strategic bilateral partnerships between UK and Germany are already established (such as Oxford/Berlin, Cambridge/LMU Munich, Imperial College, Munich TU). However, more work needs to be done to enhance multilateral cooperation, particularly given that Britain no longer participates in Erasmus and Erasmus+ and the Turing scheme has not had much impact on the German relationship. It was suggested that discussions take place with DAAD about helping foster further partnerships.

Given the big difference in fee/funding structure, it was suggested that courses that offer the greatest potential for corporate and other sponsorship are in new technologies – from AI, all forms of STEM, defence and green technology. It was also emphasised that more should be done to promote links with technical colleges, taking advantage of

Germany’s more developed dual system. It was also stressed that language teaching (especially Brits learning German) would benefit the experience not just of students but of younger people entering the workplace. Internships should be facilitated through work-travel programmes, as visas for internships are currently difficult to obtain.

3) Town twinning
It was suggested that the loss of momentum was mainly a product of weaknesses on the UK side. The loss of international relations officers in local authorities, after a long period of spending cuts, has allowed twinning to atrophy. (There are some exceptions such as County Durham). In their place, work should be done to develop links with council officers responsible for culture, sports and education. Some of the existing links are becoming a little staid (ribbon-cutting etc), with the people who are active getting older. Other avenues, such a sport and culture to link towns across countries should be explored to attract a younger audience.

Where they continue to be strong, existing town twinning should be encouraged. Alongside that, new models should be created. One option might be to hold some kind of spotlight event in the margins of next summer’s KW conference to foster ideas and potential pilot projects. If it takes place in Manchester, perhaps local authorities across the UK North and Midlands should be invited to take part alongside existing and potential German partners. The UK-based British German Association, which is doing work on this, should be involved. Larger regional partnerships are potentially a fruitful route. The relationship between the Greater Manchester Authority and Regionalverband Ruhr is a good model to develop on. Also, the digital element in city and regional partnerships needs to be pushed, to facilitate ongoing contacts.

4) Academia
In several areas, exchange seems to be progressing well, but with considerable scope for expansion. Participants noted the following: quantum/AI; renewable energy, batteries, hydrogen; space and fusion energy, and global health. On these STEM-related subjects, the work is quite specific. Another area was discussed: democratic resilience. Work is already taking place in that area at Oxford, led by a German with German participants. More such partnerships should be considered. As regards the consequences of Brexit, obstacles are identified from time to time. The changes the UK graduate visa scheme has the potential to make the UK less attractive to academics. One participant spoke of the movement of scientific samples, although that appears now to have been allayed. The 180-day period that allows one to stay in the Schengen area is an impediment to scientists on research leave, as the 180 days don’t differentiate between travel for holiday or business; therefore, participants might run out of time.

One area of considerable collaboration – between UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the German Research Foundation (DFG) – should be further expanded. It was also suggested that on the British side a single individual, a figurehead, could be found to promote bilateral academic links more specifically.

5) Civil society
It was noted that this was the most amorphous area of discussion, and the term requires further definition. A mapping exercise would be useful to see what is being done, where and by whom – not just in a UK-German context but in the context of both countries’ civil society links with others. Obvious areas are those already covered, plus sport, culture, environment/nature, culinary/hospitality/other pastimes.

The type of activities lends itself to informality, which is positive. At the same time, anchor institutions are useful in some cases, such as universities, to help coordinate. More work should be done to spread the message to as wide a demographic as possible. It was also mentioned that embassies and consulates in both countries should offer themselves as ‘light touch’ points of contact (one specific individual perhaps) for groups wanting assistance in developing ties.

John Kampfner, 1 December 2025

Photos by Lukas Schramm

The theme of the conference was “In times of radical change, do we need radical new ideas?”
State Secretary Miguel Berger (AA) and Jenny Bates, Director General Europe (FCO) gave the opening statements, followed by a Q&A session with the Young Leaders.
Introductions into the three topics including Q&A sessions with the participants were given by Ludwig Blaurock, Bundeskanzleramt, Gary Gillespie, Chief Economic Adviser to the Scottish Government and Anneliese Dodds MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Emerging topics during the discussions were:

• EU/NATO pillar institutions
• the need to invest more into the bilateral relationship: we are “partners of choice”, UK and Germany have common values, the geopolitical and economic contexts are challenging, but we agree on vital issues, such as climate change, vaccines, transatlantic security and NATO, trade and security of supply, economic relationship and people to people
• the pandemic as accelerator of change, in light of this we need to prioritise an economic approach that puts societal and environmental concerns at the forefront, a whole system approach
• the pandemic has highlighted the importance of being resilient to external shocks, linked to social cohesion
• Solutions need to look across sectors
• but also: new forms of social cohesion are being created during the pandemic, particularly on local and communal level, people are taking more care of shared resouces
• however, it has also highlighted existing inequalities: labour impact of Covid-19 crisis much worse for women, minorities more likely to get Coronavirus and to die from it and research shows that unemployment has a particularly big impact on young peoples’ careers and their mental health
• a well-being economy (value-led: dignity, respect) aims to fight inequality and to strengthen resilience and cohesiveness

[Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
It is, if I may say so, a great pleasure to be here with so many of you this evening – above all, to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty The Queen, who has asked me to convey her warmest greetings to you all. Of course, it is also a particular pleasure to be back in Berlin once again – especially as the grandfather of a brand new grandson!]
Returning to Berlin, I have been reminded that there is no place I know where history feels more present, or more relevant. To be in Berlin is to remember just how much this country, and indeed, this continent, have endured during our lifetimes, and those of our parents and grandparents.

When I first came here in 1972 this was a city divided – a symbol of a continent that had been torn apart by war and left with the ugliest of scars which, it seemed then, might never heal, and might never fade. It was also a symbol of freedom and western co-operation against Soviet aggression.These past decades have seen extraordinary change across Europe and, today, Berlin is a proud statement of just how far we have come and of the enduring hope of past, present and future generations. Berlin is not only your capital today, but our longstanding and common cause. It offers a powerful reminder that we must take nothing for granted, and of how today, as for centuries, the fortunes of all of us who share thissmall continent are so tightly interwoven by the myriad connections between us.
For some of us, of course, these connections are particularly personal. For me there are so many family connections and associations with Germany, as indeed with so many parts of Europe, going back for generations. This year, for instance, we celebrate the bicentenaries of my Great, Great, Great Grandparents, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, who were both born in 1819 – an anniversary that is being marked with exhibitions, concerts and youth exchanges, and by partnerships between the city of Coburg and British Institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Royal Choral Society and English Heritage.
Prinz Albert von Sachsen-Coburg und Gotha was the most remarkable man who, in his all-too-short life, had such far-reaching influence on the arts, science, trade and industry in Britain. To my family, he brought not just familial ties to what is now Germany, which we still cherish, but an affinity with German culture, and tradition, and a wish to share it across national borders. His tireless work remains important to us until this day; he helped to champion the rights of working people and the abolition of child labour in Britain; and, indeed, it is to him that we owe the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree in our homes.
In embodying these ties, my family is hardly unique. The people of Britain have enjoyed the most profound connections with the people of Germany, and indeed the wider European continent, for thousands of years. We have long been fascinated by each other: admiring of each other’s literature and music; inspired by each other’s ideas; and dependent upon each other’s economies for the trade that enhances our shared prosperity.
For all the bitter conflict that so tragically dominated the last century, time and again the people of our two countries have shown solidarity to one another. For example, eighty years ago when, in 1938 and 1939, thousands of Jewish children travelled to the U.K. as part of the Kindertransporteto escape the Nazis and start new lives in Britain. Or seventy years ago this year, when the Deutsch-Britische Gesellschaft(the German-British Association) was founded as a driver of British-German exchange and discussion which has thrived ever since; or when, also in 1949, the Berlin Airlift – the brainchild of British Air Commodore Rex Waite – saw British aircraft fly 175,000 sorties, over 30 million miles, to deliver nearly half of all the food that was flown in to Berlin during that extraordinary humanitarian operation.
Heute sind wir viel mehr als nur Nachbarn: wir sind Freunde und natürliche Partner, verbunden durch gemeinsame Erfahrungen, gemeinsame Interessen und gemeinsame Werte, und tief in unsere beiderseitige Zukunft eingebunden.
Alljährlich reisen zwei Millionen Briten nach Deutschland und drei Millionen Deutsche in das Vereinigte Königreich. Über zweihunderttausend Bürgerinnen und Bürger leben im jeweils anderen Land.

[Today, we are so much more than simply neighbours: we are friends and natural partners, bound together by our common experience, mutual interests and shared values, and deeply invested in each other’s futures.
Every year, two million British people visit Germany and three million Germans visit the U.K. Over two hundred thousand of our citizens live in each other’s countries.]

Our universities enjoy the closest of research collaborations and tens of thousands of our young people choose to travel between our countries to study in our world class universities. Our economies are so vitally interconnected, with mutual trade between our countries worth 150 billion euros a year. Indeed, this year the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany celebrates its centenary, which is a symbol of the enduring nature of the economic relationship between us.
On the world stage Britain and Germany work together to uphold the rules-based international order. We are both committed to the Paris Climate agreement, and are leading global efforts to reduce emissions. Indeed, this particular aspect of our shared approach to global issues couldn’t be more important, particularly as it becomes ever clearer that the impacts of climate change are happening faster and are more catastrophic than we had anticipated. Ladies and Gentlemen, if I may, it seems to me at least, that we would be wise to redouble our efforts in this regard, particularly in respect to the opportunities that will arise next year with the recalibration, and I hope strengthening, of the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on Biological Diversity. This year, also, as we see the withdrawal of the majority of British Forces from Germany, we can be proud of our defence partnership and of everything we do together to enhance our shared security.
Ours is a relationship that is broad and wide-ranging because we need each other, but is deep and strong because of the mutual affection and profound respect between us.
It is a relationship in transition. But whatever the shape of our future relationship, and whatever is negotiated and agreed between governments and institutions, it is more clear to me than it has ever been, that the bonds between us will,and must, endure – and that our young people, and future generations, will have as much cause to cherish those bonds as our generation has had.
I can only say, for my own part, that my commitment to the relationship between Britain and Germany is both heartfelt and steadfast. I have long tried, in whatever small way I can, to foster the connections between us, whether through the military or through arts and culture; through my patronage of the Wörlitz Gardens in Sachsen-Anhalt, for example, which I am delighted to be visiting for the first time this week; or through the work of my Prince’s Foundation, in supporting projects such as the restoration of the remarkable 16th century timber courthouse in the town of Treffurt. All such initiatives, however big or small, or whoever is behind them, bring us together and keep us that way.
Exzellenzen, meine Damen und Herren, unsere Länder und unsere Völker haben gemeinsam so viel durchgestanden. Mit Blick auf die Zukunft hoffe ich sehr, dass wir uns auch versprechen werden, uns noch stärker füreinander und für die Bande zwischen uns einzusetzen.

[Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, our countries and our people have been through so much together. As we look towards the future, I can only hope that we can also pledge to redouble our commitment to each other and to the ties between us.]

In so doing, we can ensure that our continent will never again see the division and conflict of the past; that together, we will continue to be an indispensable force for good in our world; and that the friendships and partnerships that bind us together will continue to create opportunity for us all.”

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Mr. Collins, who had been personally involved in drawing up the agreements on which the delicate balance between the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom and between the diverse groups within Northern Ireland rested, reminded the audience of the forthcoming changes and described in detail, what these would entail for ireland. He made it very clear that

a) in 2016, relations between the UK and Ireland were as good as they had never been before in history;
b) the balance was threatened by the decision in the UK to leave the EU;
c) Ireland was determined to remain a loyal and integrated member of the EU;
d) open borders with the Republic and Northern Ireland that had existed long before both countries joined the EU, were of vital importance and that Ireland would never agree to change this, and would not compromise on this point in order to perhaps gain a better trade agreement for the future;
e) Ireland depended on the UK in organizing its EU membership and would be severely affected by the loss of this partner in the EU.

The Ambassador’s remarks were followed by an extensive Q&A-period. Answering one of the many questions, Mr. Collins unequivocally assured the audience of the ongoing solidarity of Ireland’s 26 remaining EU partners. The Ambassador also pointed out that a number of details to do with the future relationship between Ireland and the UK and between the Republic of Ireland has yet to be worked out. I.a. the legal and political implications for the process of implementing the Good Friday and St. Andrews Agreements are as yet unclear. The fact that the UK government had not so far “shown its hand”, and that Northern Ireland did not have a functioning government, were of course not helpful.

The Ambassador’s views, which were on the record, were well received by the audience, which comprised approx. 60 members, regular guests, and people with a specific interest in this subject.