Manfred-Wörner-Seminar (engl.)

The seminar

Our peace, freedom and security are facing diverse and unforeseeable threats, of which the current conflict in the Middle East and the still ongoing war in Eastern Europe remind us every day. In order to cope with the security policy challenges of these turbulent times, dialogue and close cooperation within the European-transatlantic community of values are of fundamental importance.
True to the motto “talking with one another rather than about one another – committed to dialogue”, the Manfred Wörner Seminar offers 30 young executives from Germany, the United States and other European countries the opportunity to exchange opinions, positions and perspectives to thus deepen and consolidate the dialogue between the European and transatlantic partners. In addition to visits to security policy institutions and expert meetings, the programme is focused on exchanging ideas and getting to know one another.
The Manfred Wörner Seminar was initiated as early as in 1982 as a seminar for German-American dialogue. Since 2010, a parallel seminar dubbed “European Seminar” has been held for participants from Germany and other European countries. From 2021 onwards, these two formats will be married and continued as the Manfred Wörner Seminar, allowing participants from the entire Euro-Atlantic alliance territory and area of common values to enter into mutual exchange and dialogue.

Topics and Aims

The aim of the Manfred Wörner Seminar is to create mutual understanding and agreement among the political cultures of the Euro-Atlantic alliance territory and area of common values, which are very similar in many ways, but also reveal quite different perspectives on problems shared.
The twelve-day seminar will extensively deal with various aspects of transatlantic security policy, new challenges to NATO as well as current political issues in the U.S and the European Union. Different venues in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, speakers from a variety of countries, and a wide range of key subjects will provide a host of opportunities for exchanging information and discussing varying topics.
This seminar also serves as a platform for developing and consolidating relations between the participants from both sides of the Atlantic. The opportunities to informally discuss certain issues with one another are of prime importance in the process. The ties established during the seminar are to prepare the ground for enduring mutual dialogue across the Atlantic, which will sharpen the understanding for each other’s political situation and interests, and thus contribute to building mutual confidence.

Who is Eligible to Participate in the Seminar?

The Manfred Wörner Seminar is addressed to young executives – between 25 and 35 years of age – from the science community, trade and industry, and the world of politics. Up to 30 participants from Germany, the U.S. and Europe will be given the opportunity of broadening their horizons and exchanging information. Interested persons should hold an academic degree and have gained first experience in executive or challenging positions. Given the international composition of the seminar, it will be held in English throughout. Proficiency in the English language is therefore a must.

Seminar Fees

The fee per person will be 500 € and cover accommodation, transport services and messing during the seminar. The disuse of e.g. hotel rooms, does not lead to a partial reimbursement of costs or a reduction in the fee.

Dates for 2024

There will be two separate iterations in 2024:

• 01. Juni – 12. Juni 2024
• 31. August – 11. September 2024

How to Apply

Applications closed

To apply for one of the 30 seminar places, please send the following documents to SicherheitspolitikSeminare@Bundeswehr.org

• Your completed application form (please use normal capital and lower case letters),
• letter of motivation (max. one page),
• curriculum vitae,
• a brief description of your current professional activities,
• and a recent photograph in jpg format (not older than one year).

Please send us your documents as individual PDF files, saved as “document name_last name, first name” (e.g. letter of motivation_Mustermann_Hans). Please indicate in the subject of your email which seminar period you are applying for.

After the application deadline, the Bundeswehr Centre for Public Affairs will compose the groups of 30 participants each from all applications received. The results of selection will be announced one month no later than two months after the closing date. The composition of the first group will be given priority.
The application form can be downloaded from the bottom of the website.