Managing Soft Power and Hard Power in a World of Dynamic Geopolitical Change

This event is open to members of the Atlantik-Brücke only.

Building on four decades of constructive bilateral exchange, this year’s German-Canadian Conference will once again convene senior decision-makers to address the defining strategic questions of our time. As Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized in Davos at the World Economic Forum, economic security, climate stability, and technological leadership are increasingly interconnected. In an era of geopolitical rivalry and economic fragmentation, trusted partnerships among democratic allies are essential to resilience and long-term prosperity.

Germany and Canada, closely aligned through NATO and their deep trade integration under CETA, combine complementary strengths in both hard and soft power. Both are reinforcing defense capabilities, securing critical supply chains, and investing in energy security and technological sovereignty. At the same time, Germany’s and Canada’s diplomatic credibility, development cooperation, innovation ecosystems, academic exchange, and cultural ties enhance their ability to shape norms, build coalitions, and uphold a rules-based international order.

The conference will begin on the evening of Sunday, May 17, 2026, with an informal get-together, providing an opportunity for initial personal exchange. On Monday, participants have the opportunity to visit the German Bundesrat, followed by a joint event with the Transatlantic Business Initiative including sessions on critical minerals and bilateral industrial cooperation and an Evening Reception. The conference will continue on Tuesday, May 19 with a full-day program including sessions on geopolitics, the Arctic, defence, domestic politics, and academic freedom. The German-Canadian Conference 2026 will conclude with a Closing Reception.

The conference will be chaired by our Vice-Chairman Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther, Director & Member of the Presidium, German Economic Institute, and Prof. Nik Nanos, Founder & Chief Data Scientist, Nanos Research; Chairman, Atlantik-Brücke Canada.

Selected Speakers:

• Ambassador Vera Alexander, Embassy of Canada to Germany
• Yvonne Denz, President & CEO, Canadian German Chamber of Industrie and Commerce Inc
• Dr. Christina Gommlich, Head of Berlin Office, Corporate Government Relations, BASF SE
• Prof. Dr. Oliver Günther, President, University of Potsdam
• Dr. Elisabeth Hauschild, Senior Vice President Government Affairs, Diehl Foundation
• Prof. Dr. Michael Hüther, Director & Member of the Presidium, German Economic Institute
• Ron Lloyd, 35th Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy
• Siemtje Möller, MP (SPD), Former Parliamentary State Secretary; Deputy Chairwoman, SPD Parliamentary Group, German Bundestag
• Claudia Müller, MP (Alliance 90/The Greens), Parliamentary Secretary, Alliance 90/The Greens Parliamentary Group, German Bundestag
• Hildegard Müller, President, German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA)
• Prof. Nik Nanos, Founder & Chief Data Scientist, Nanos Research
• Ambassador Kai Sauer, Embassy of Finland to Germany
• Dr. Alexander Schmitt, Chief Procurement Officer, PowerCo SE
• Marc Felix Serrao, Global Reporters Network, Axel Springer SE

We look forward to welcoming you to the 39th German-Canadian Conference!

We would like to thank the Embassy of Canada to Germany for the hospitality and Atlantik-Brücke Canada for the great cooperation.