How can alumni activities be effectively designed in a world of crises and conflicts? The fourth meeting of the global DAAD alumni associations saw the DAAD providing significant impetus as well as celebrating 100 years of its existence with some former beneficiaries. It accordingly became clear: diversity is strength – and exchange is an important tool in solving small and major problems.

Alumni associations as important partners for Germany

At the fourth meeting of DAAD alumni associations from all over the world in Bonn at the end of March 2025, a spirit of togetherness was palpable: around 80 association representatives from 60 DAAD alumni associations from over 40 countries came together for four days at the invitation of the DAAD to make new contacts and develop joint projects. ‘The event is a major highlight of our anniversary year,’ said Dr Kai Sicks, Secretary General of the DAAD, in his welcoming address. ‘The DAAD alumni associations are essential partners for us when it comes to advancing our vision - change through exchange. They also contribute to our solidarity with Germany, the DAAD and German universities.’ The role of the DAAD and its alumnae and alumni as catalysts of bilateral understanding was emphasised by Ralf Beste, Head of the Department of Culture and Society at the Federal Foreign Office. ‘From a German perspective, the world order is currently undergoing radical change,’ said Beste, who encouraged the participants to report on Germany in their home countries. ‘You are credible ambassadors for our country.’

The panel discussion therefore focussed in particular on academic cooperation and alumni networking in a multipolar world. In her keynote speech, Prof Dr Anna-Katharina Hornidge, Director of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), spoke about sustainability policy in times of global (dis-)order. 

Successfully shaping alumni work

When Dr Sevinj Rzayeva, Professor and Director of the Institute of German Studies at the Slavic University of Baku, thinks back to her three DAAD-funded research stays at Freie Universität Berlin, she remembers an intense time full of exciting discussions, new contacts and valuable experiences that still shape her today. ‘As a German scholar, it was a dream come true for me to do research in Germany and get to know the culture and mentality of the people,’ says Rzayeva. She has therefore been involved as Chair of the DAAD Azerbaijan Alumni Association since 2023. ‘Networking with other DAAD alumni associations is also important to me: to organise joint events, but also to engage in dialogue about ideas or opinions.’

In order to learn from each other and deepen knowledge, the event offered a variety of formats to meet the challenges of alumni work: The alumnae and alumni discussed fundraising, member recruitment, networking and public relations work as well as project and event management in workshops.

Sharing experiences

Valuable suggestions for Prof Dr João Marcelo Brazão Protázio, Chairman of the DAAD alumni association REBRALINT (Rede Brasil-Alemanha para Internacionalização do Ensino Superior) and Professor of Mathematics at the Universidade Federal do Pará in Brazil. ‘Fundraising is a key topic for us,’ he emphasised. The discussions with the chairs of other Latin American alumni associations were also particularly enriching. ‘For the autumn, our association is planning a workshop on the effects of climate change, which we may implement together with them.’ Asian, European and African alumnae and alumni also used the event to strengthen regional networking. Contacts were exchanged and, among other things, an agreement was reached to organise hybrid events in future to enable digital participation from other countries on the continent. ‘Our association has existed for over 30 years,’ said Prof Dr Abebe Dinku Belay, Chairman of the DAAD alumni association Association of Ethiopians Educated in Germany (AEEG). The alumni association in Côte d'Ivoire, on the other hand, was only founded two years ago. ‘We are happy to pass on our extensive experience, for example in member recruitment and project management, to our colleagues.’