Seminars

IAF-Seminare 2025

In order to be successful political parties need - in addition to their political competences - well-formulated strategies. Hence, strategic planning is a key competence for political parties and their leadership personnel. Strategy development cannot be delegated or outsourced. Strategy elements from other successful political players cannot just be copied. Own competences in strategic planning are needed and this hands on workshop will provide political leaders with processes, tools and concepts to develop their own unique strategies.

Target Group: Leadership personnel of political parties and party experts who work on party strategy.

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 populism and why is it so dangerous for liberal open societies? What do populists have in common? This seminar is meant to analyse populism with regard to various criteria that are relevant to get a deeper understanding of its nature and, based on the results, to find ways and measures of how liberals could deal with this political enemy.

The seminar aims to fulfil the following objectives:

• to establish a thorough theoretical understanding of liberalism and of populism
• to develop tools and senses that help to detect populism
• to develop strategies and measures to counter populists
• to develop guidelines and strategies that can be disseminated in the respective
• organizations/parties

Target Group: The seminar mainly aims at liberal thinkers and political strategists from political parties, think tanks and NGOs who are currently facing populist forces in their respective countries.

Starting off from the individual who should be instrumental in all decisions that affect their life is the liberals’ perception of politics. Looking for solutions at the local level, involving responsible individuals and making use of decentralized local competences and knowledge are important principles to get local government and politicians close to citizens, encourage their participation, communicate with them more effectively and make government more efficient. How can local politicians tackle administrative, legal, financial and practical problems? How can they improve their communication with citizens and how can they meet new challenges and use opportunities that come with new technologies?

Target Group: Local politicians like councillors, mayors or representatives of local party branches, Representatives of liberal NGOs and citizen groups who are working on improving local government (systems). Trainers or consultants who work with liberal political parties on local level.

Liberalism faces mounting challenges, from populism and geopolitics to climate change and the AI revolution, exposing its vulnerabilities and sidelining it in public discourse. A key issue has been operating in silos—politicians focusing on elections, policy experts sticking to traditional approaches, and philosophers retreating to academia.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the International Academy for Leadership (IAF), this seminar aims to break these barriers. Over one week, change-makers will reconnect the intellectual, policy, and leadership dimensions of liberalism. Participants will tackle contemporary challenges holistically, crafting actionable solutions and reimagining liberalism’s foundations for the 21st century. Together, they will forge a renewed vision for the future.

Target Groups:

• Liberal Intellectuals: Individuals engaged in academia, media, or leadership roles who contribute to political theory and foster creative, out-of-the-box discussions.
• Public Policy Experts: Think tank professionals and strategic thinkers focused on crafting liberal policy solutions and advocating for policy changes in a competitive environment.
• Leaders: Current political leaders, both elected and appointed, dedicated to strategy, team building, and driving political agendas while developing self-awareness and value-based leadership.

Refreshed ways to create a liberal environment in training sessions and events, where an audience is able to participate fully and think well for themselves by innovative, relevant and fun facilitation methodologies leading to interactive events and learning sessions. Understanding of programme development to improve organising, scripting, designing and implementing innovative sessions and events in their organisations. Individual skills development by improving the understanding of themselves as facilitators, while enhancing their unique communication, listening, language and leadership skills.
 

Target Group: Representatives of liberal NGOs, Political Parties and Think Tanks who are actively involved with, or responsible for the design, planning and implementation of training and development sessions, or events. The seminar is best suited to individuals who have some level of experience in training or event scripting and planning

In most countries, liberal political parties are not able to govern alone and especially in illiberal environments, liberal forces - parties and NGOs - are often small. Influencing decision-making through coalitions and strategic partnerships might be a promising approach to implement at least some liberal policies. Being able to govern and thus being more visible in public may be good reasons for political parties to join a coalition and an opportunity to grow. However, many liberals fear losing identity or being marginalized in a coalition. Such questions show that power arrangements and coalition politics require caution and skilful handling.

Target Group: Leadership personnel of liberal political parties and liberal organisations close to them, political consultants

Many have entitled the media as the "fourth power" to keep checks and balances in a democracy. The picture of a "watch dog" seems to get cracks. Media are under pressure from politicians who undermine the reputation of the established media by accusing them of lying or taking sides with the political opponent, or by harassing journalists and news organisations/companies, openly threatening them with imprisonment or killing. With the internet a whole new world of access to information (true and false) has opened up and classical media came under economic pressure as well - while it is expensive to maintain quality journalism less people are willing to pay for it when they can get information in the web for free. Quality journalism also takes time for proper research - but with social media and millions of "citizen journalists" it is way more difficult to be the first to break the news and having it checked properly, to grow and keep an audience, and to convince with quality journalism when big parts of the audience seem to be only interested in what confirms their already existing beliefs and opinion.

What can liberals do to support independent media and journalists under pressure?

Target Group: Journalists, Blogger, Media Entrepreneurs, Liberal Activists and Politicians

Almost no single political topic has drawn as much attention as climate change. And rightfully so. Yet, despite this attention, the political discourse has remained surprisingly stagnant when it comes to solutions: Most of often than not very basic interventions and command-and-control mechanisms are proposed. This seminar aims to expand the tool-kit of liberal public policy makers and therefore takes a holistic perspective on environmental policies from a theoretical perspective, their practical application and context, and their limitations.

Target Group: This seminar targets think tanks, public policy institutes, political particles, academia, as well as environmental activists. Ideally, participants have backgrounds or good grasps of political economy, economics, or environmental studies.

No one is born a leader but can potentially grow into one. Enthusiasm and/or a strong cause are important for politicians, but knowing one’s unique strengths, grooming leadership skills, improving communication and presence are key to succeed to the top. This seminar offers a variety of opportunities to gain new skills and for personal growth; it is crafted to support young and enthusiastic liberals to use their potential, to successfully follow their ambitions and to grow into leadership positions. Participants will leave with new skills, with inspiration, a clearer sense of their leadership potential, and with new international contacts woven into their personal network.

Target Group: Young Leaders and high potentials from liberal parties and NGOs.

The World since 2022 has showed us that a lot of the achievements of the so-called “Liberal World Order” can be undone in no time. Globalization, free trade, and (most heartbreakingly) peace have all literally become under attack in recent time. And the implications of this are all just to be unpacked. This seminar will dive into international power politics from all perspectives (from supply chains or currency wars to military spending) and develop answers to these challenges.

Target Group: This seminar targets think tanks, public intellectuals, and political strategists that are liberal-minded. Participants should have a good grasp of geopolitics, political economy, and international institutions.

This seminar will provide NGO leaders with fundraising techniques and strategies to maximize donor engagement and revenue generation. Participants will learn to craft compelling narratives and build lasting relationships with donors. The aim is to empower participants with the knowledge and skills needed to foster long-term partnerships and ensure consistent funding for organizational growth and impact.

Target Group: This seminar is ideally suited for representatives of liberal NGOs - such as Civil Society Organsiations, economic Think Tanks, Human Rights Organisations, political movements etc. - who work in close cooperation with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation in their respective countries or regions. Potential participants should ideally hold a leading management position with a high level of decision making competence and insight into all branches of their organisation, and have the ability to determine or influence the fundraising strategy of their organisation.

Nothing has brought about more wealth and individual well-being than markets for ideas, goods, services, produce or finances. For liberals market economies provide the best system to allocate resources, to bring together supply and demand, and to relief humans from (extreme) poverty. At the same time some of the contemporary problems like climate change and pollution, widening gaps of living standards, social upheavals, deteriorating consumer protection, ruthlessness, and tax evasion are pinned to the market economy by its critics and enemies who call for regulatory measures to "tame the beast". Others pick up the criticism to pursue other and often hidden political goals. This seminar wants to take a closer look at the problems attributed to market economies, to explore causes and effects, and to work on concepts in defense of the principle of market economy and its implementation.

Target Group: Liberal Thinkers, Economic policy makers from political parties and think tanks.

This intensive workshop will focus on the following areas and skills:
Strategically drafting and driving core messages that reach the right audience exactly the way they should.
Dealing with the media and journalists by establishing a sincere working relationship. Choosing the best channel for each message and the right message for each audience. 

We will not only present practical tools but will also give all participants enough time and opportunity to put them into practice.

Target Group: Leaders and Spokespersons from political parties

We would like to see a world in which women are on equal footing to step into the leadership roles they desire, and to make a much-needed contribution in the world. This seminar therefore invites female leaders who are passionate about leadership, about making a contribution, and committed to building an active career in politics or public service, to join on a journey of connection, development and transformation as we explore the many aspects of female leadership in 2023 and beyond. This seminar explores topics related to:

• Leadership skills, such as strategic thinking, negotiation, communication, public appearance, confidence
• Each participant’s purpose, vision, values and unique leadership brand
• Societal, regional and political trends and events affecting and impacting women
• Future trends, and the ability to manage complexity and change
• Cultivating an organisational culture that supports female leadership
• Building a strong network of support

Target Group: Purpose-driven female leaders who are currently in office, or with political or public service aspirations from Political Parties, Think Tanks and NGOs are encouraged to apply. Applicants can be elected officials or appointed staff members, provided they are in leadership, or aspire. Applicants should have a strong English-language ability, and be willing to share their experiences in the group, as the programme relies on interaction and active participation