IAF Continued Conversations

What does it take to create an education system that truly fosters individual freedom, intellectual autonomy, and equal opportunities for all? In this thought-provoking episode of IAF Continued Conversations, hosts Rainer Heufers and Arpita Nepal welcome two inspiring experts, Michael Strong and Parth Shah, to explore the building blocks of a liberal education system. From the power of school auto...

In this episode of IAF Continued Conversations, hosts Bettina Solinger and Sven Gerst sit down with historian and political thinker Stephen Davies to discuss the shifting landscape of global politics and his thesis on “The Great Realignment.” This conversation builds on Davies' 2018 work with the Cato Institute and explores how his predictions hold up in today’s volatile political climate. Togethe...

In this episode of IAF Continues Conversations, our hosts Arpita Nepal and Rainer Heufers guide us through the fierce tech rivalry between the United States and China, exploring how this competition is shaping the future of global innovation. Joining them are Alexander Brown, Senior Analyst at MERICS, and Harold Furchtgott-Roth, Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute, who bring insider perspectives...

In this insightful episode of IAF Continued Conversations, hosts Marike Groenewald and Clinton du Preez engage with leadership expert Trisha Lord to unpack The Thinking Environment, a transformative framework designed to foster deeper understanding and collaboration. Together, they explore its 10 powerful components—like Attention, Equality, and Appreciation—and how these elements create an atmosp...

Launching our refreshed podcast format with none other than Tom Palmer, we dive right in to examine the state of liberalism in 2024: How is populism shaping politics today? From Russia, Ukraine, China, Venezuela, Hungary - How do current geopolitical challenges affect us, and how do we see the future? As well as discussing the world's current hot spots and their interconnections, we will also look...

In today's episode of IAF TALK Bettina Solinger has gathered the experts from our seminar "The Future of Market Economy" around a big table in the Academy to have an intensive talk about markets and the environment, and to tackle some important questions: why property rights are important for innovation, why some ideas that are brilliant on the paper but won't work in reality, how developing count...

After finishing a 12 day seminar at the IAF that has looked into entrepreneurship with more than 25 participants from all around the world and we will discuss why entrepreneurship in general matters, what we have learned throughout the seminar about entrepreneurship in specific countries. And then thirdly, what policymakers can do to boost and accelerate entrepreneurship in their respective countr...

Today’s episode is very special – not only because Education is a tremendously important aspect for every person’s development towards self-determination, prosperity and happiness in live but also because we would like to commemorate the late Dr Stefan Melnik who has contributed immensely to IAF, in fact he helped build and develop IAF to where it is today. Education has always been a theme very c...

“All politics is local” is a prevailing phrase – not only in U.S. politics. Apart from the strategic meaning it implies a liberal view of politics – starting off from the individual, who should be instrumental in all decisions that affect their life. Looking for solutions at the local level, involving responsible individuals and making use of decentralised local competences and knowledge are impor...

For liberals private property is a defining characteristic of a free society. In our seminar "Liberal, Property and the Environment" we explored how the concept of private property might conceivably be a solution to problems as diverse as pollution, land degradation, overfishing, deforestation, species extinction and waste. Can enforcement of robust property rights help to protect the environment,...

In a world dominated by competing messages, brands and ideas - how will your message resonate with your voters or supporters? Why is it so important to have a clear communication strategy and how can you actually prepare for communication in a crisis? In this episode we are meeting Kylie Hatton from South Africa and Wulf Pabst from Germany, both long standing experts on communication and strategy...

This year we have been celebrating the 25th anniversary of the International Academy for Leadership (Internationale Akademie für Führungskräfte - IAF) and together with its founding director Jörg Dehnert, his successor Birgit Lamm, and the current director of the IAF Bettina Solinger, we're taking a trip down memory lane and learn how it all started in 1995, what challenges they faced over the yea...

Using Apps for finding a shop or restaurant or looking for some friends nearby is already a reality and millions of people all around the world are using those conveniences every day. Still, this is just the first step of possible developments and changes of our cities. By using “big data” and digitalization our cities can turn into smart cities and help us to manage today’s and future challenges...

"Have your program worked out doesn't mean that you are prepared" says Marike Groenewald, one of our guests in this podcast episode. Audience participation and engagement depends on the “way of being” of a facilitator. But what does it need to create a liberal environment in training sessions and events, where an audience is able to participate fully and think well for themselves? In this episode...

Populists seem to be on the rise around the world and their opponents from different political camps seem to have difficulties to find the right antidote to fight that new (?) political force. Some place their bet on facts to fight lies, others on copying some of the populist features or trying to tackle what is perceived as the underlying causes that play into the hands of populists. But what is...

Campaigning is a core function of any political party. It is the way through which parties connect with voters to garner enough support to get into government, and to ultimately implement its vision for a better future. Often the lack of a proper campaign structure and operation stands in the way of a party being able to turn its vision into votes. With the rise of the internet, big data and socia...

Digitalisation has opened up a world of opportunity. Today we have access to vast amounts of information, inconceivable 20 years ago. The cost of communication with others has plummeted and is now marginal. The majority of the world’s population has cheap access to the means of communication, hardware, software and the associated services. As far as freedom of expression is concerned, this no long...

Innovation is not only about robots, artificial intelligence or futuristic concepts but there are many ideas on how to be innovative as an individual or as an organization. But what is needed to stay innovative and create a company culture that is constantly innovative? In this episode of IAF TALK we're having three guests who are exchanging on the topic and give a couple of practical examples: Ma...

In the first episode of IAF TALK we're meeting Milosz Hodun, International Officer of Nowoczesna party in Poland, and Ines Holzegger, International Officer of YUNOS (youth organization of NEOS party Austria), who give us an insight into the latest political developments in their countries and how populism is affecting the situation. Hosted by Sven Gerst, Secretary General of IFLRY (International F...