Tönissteiner Kreis e.V.

Tönissteiner Kreis e.V. is a German nonprofit, nonpartisan, interdisciplinary, and intergenerational network for people working at the intersection of business, academia, politics, public administration, media, and international organizations. Its purpose is to strengthen Germany’s international connectivity and capacity for innovation by bringing together experienced decision-makers with younger people who have strong academic records, international exposure, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. The organization traces its origins to 1958, when a discussion group called the Forum for Science and Business was established with the participation of major German business, employer, chamber, academic-exchange, and foundation organizations. The original objective was to help develop internationally capable leadership for Germany’s public and private sectors, as well as for European and international institutions. The group later adopted the name Tönissteiner Kreis after Bad Tönisstein, where its early meetings were held. In 2000, the network adopted the legal form of a charitable registered association, or gemeinnütziger Verein e.V., to give its work greater independence and a more professional administrative foundation. The Kreis functions primarily as a forum for dialogue rather than as a commercial product brand. Its activities include invitation-based colloquia, roundtables, conferences, cross-border networking, study trips, and exchanges with decision-makers in Germany and abroad. It also supports internationalization in education, training, and human-resources development. The network’s work is intended to improve Germany’s global reach, encourage international cooperation, and help organizations respond to complex social, political, and economic challenges. A central area of activity is the development of younger talent. Through initiatives such as the Studierendenforum im Tönissteiner Kreis and Schülerkolleg International, the organization offers students, pupils, and young professionals opportunities for training, mentoring, coaching, sponsorship, scholarships, and direct contact with experienced members. Admission to the wider network is selective. The stated criteria include being under 35 at the time of application, having excellent academic credentials, acquiring international experience in at least two different non-German-speaking countries, demonstrating fluency in German and English, and showing social engagement and willingness to contribute to the Kreis’s goals. French is viewed positively because many activities take place in a multilingual environment. The network has more than 800 members worldwide. They hold senior positions in companies, the media, European institutions, international organizations, federal and state ministries, research institutions, and universities. Its activities are conducted in German, English, and French, reflecting its emphasis on intercultural dialogue and international accessibility. The organization also presents itself as contributing to a welcoming environment for international students and researchers at risk. Tönissteiner Kreis is financed as a charitable association through membership fees, donations, and sponsorship. Annual membership fees support its core structure, while project activities may receive additional funding from members, private-sector contributors, and public institutions. Its principal resource is the voluntary engagement of its members. The organization is therefore best understood as a civic and professional network whose value lies in convening people, transferring experience, and supporting international leadership development rather than selling conventional goods or services.

Tönissteiner Kreis began in 1958 as the Forum for Science and Business, a discussion group created with the involvement of leading German organizations from industry, employers, chambers of commerce, academic exchange, and the foundations sector. Its founding purpose was to help develop a new generation of internationally capable leaders for Germany’s private sector, public administration, and representation in European and international organizations. The group later became known as the Tönissteiner Kreis, taking its name from Bad Tönisstein, the German town associated with its early meetings. From the beginning, the network was designed to connect people across professional and institutional boundaries. Rather than operating as a political party, lobbying association, or commercial consultancy, it served as a forum where participants could discuss international questions and develop relationships across business, science, government, and civil society. A major institutional change occurred in 2000, when the network reorganized as a charitable registered association. The new structure was intended to provide greater independence and improve the organization’s ability to manage its activities. A professional administrative office was established to support the association’s core work, maintain quality standards, coordinate members and project teams, and develop sustained relationships with external donors, partner organizations, and international peers. Over time, the Kreis expanded its activities beyond senior-level dialogue. It established and supported regional, national, and international colloquia, roundtables, conferences, and study trips dealing with issues viewed as important to contemporary society. It also developed programs for younger people with international ambitions. The Studierendenforum im Tönissteiner Kreis and Schülerkolleg International provide tailored opportunities for university students, pupils, and young professionals, combining training with mentoring, networking, and contact with experienced members of the wider network. The organization’s current profile combines leadership development with international exchange. Its more than 800 members are active around the world in senior roles in business, media, European and international institutions, ministries, research, and academia. Activities are conducted in German, English, and French to support multilingual and intercultural communication. The Kreis also identifies the integration of international students and support for researchers at risk as areas consistent with its broader goal of fostering an open and internationally connected society. Tönissteiner Kreis remains a nonprofit association funded through membership fees, donations, and sponsorship. Membership fees cover the core structure, while project work can receive additional support from members, companies, and public-sector bodies. The network’s operating model relies substantially on voluntary contributions from its members and on the convening power of a long-established cross-sector community.

• 2000

  Conversion into a charitable registered association

  [1]Tönissteiner Kreis e.V.en.wikipedia.org

  The network adopted the legal form of a nonprofit association and established a professional administrative office to strengthen independence, coordination, and long-term project support.

• 1958

  Forum for Science and Business established

  [1]Tönissteiner Kreis e.V.en.wikipedia.org

  A group involving major German business, employer, chamber, academic-exchange, and foundation organizations was formed to develop internationally capable leadership for Germany and international institutions.

• Adoption of the Tönissteiner Kreis name

  [1]Tönissteiner Kreis e.V.en.wikipedia.org

  The discussion group became known as the Tönissteiner Kreis, named after Bad Tönisstein, where its first meetings took place.

A selective, nonprofit leadership and dialogue network focused on international competence, cross-sector exchange, and the development of globally oriented talent connected to Germany.

• Student and young-leader development

  Studierendenforum im Tönissteiner Kreis

  A student-oriented initiative connected to the Tönissteiner Kreis. It supports internationally minded university students through educational programming, networking, and contact with experienced members. The forum forms part of the association’s broader effort to identify and prepare emerging talent for cross-border work in business, academia, government, and civil society.

• School and youth development

  Schülerkolleg International

  An international-development program for pupils that introduces younger participants to intercultural exchange, international perspectives, and leadership-oriented learning. It is designed as an early-stage talent initiative and complements the association’s programs for students and young professionals.

• Dialogue and convening

  International colloquia and roundtables

  Invitation-based discussions, conferences, and roundtables that bring together members and external decision-makers to examine social, political, economic, and international issues. These formats are central to the Kreis’s role as a nonpartisan forum for cross-sector and cross-border dialogue.

• International exchange

  Study trips

  International study visits intended to help members and participants understand emerging challenges, institutional environments, and future opportunities in different regions. The trips support the association’s objective of strengthening international competence and Germany’s global connectivity.

1. 1Tönissteiner Kreis e.V.en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Official Tönissteiner Kreis websitetoenissteiner-kreis.de