“The Transformation of Finance: What Roles Could and Should Foundations Play?” – this is the topic of a panel discussion, which will be hosted by the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt during the next Münchner Stiftungsfrühling. Taking place on March 23–29, 2019, the Münchner Stiftungsfrühling provides foundations with a platform to present the diversity of their engagement. The BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt supports the event series and, in addition to the panel discussion, also co-organizes a workshop with the Social Entrepreneurship Akademie on the question: How can innovation and entrepreneurship help improve society? Social initiatives and startups from Munich and nearby areas introduce themselves. After that, participants have the opportunity to share their experiences.

In the virtual world, we are connected ever more closely, sharing interests with people from different countries. In real life, however, we become increasingly distant from those who perhaps live just around the corner. What can we do to prevent loneliness, isolation, and social division? Through its Sustainable Development Goal #11, “Sustainable Cities and Communities,” the United Nations calls for a more inclusive society. In Germany, the digital platform nebenan.de and its foundation are among the organizations working to promote neighborliness and community building.

As part of the Berliner Stiftungswoche, the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt and Sebastian Gallander want to discuss ways of living together in the future. Sebastian Gallander is head of the nebenan.de Foundation and a member of the global BMW Foundation Responsible Leaders Network.

In 2019, the BMW Foundation will continue its Global Table leadership series in San Diego, California (USA). Entitled “Transcending Borders,” the program will bring together leaders from all walks of life in the U.S.-Mexican border region.

At a time when walls and borders dominate the news cycle, the BMW Foundation’s Global Table aims to create a space in which leaders can come together and build bridges. We believe that the San Diego-Tijuana region offers us an extraordinary opportunity not only to illuminate the realities of division and polarization but also to showcase innovative approaches to weaving the social fabric. Together we want to develop ideas and inspiration on how to lead responsibly in divided societies and move toward a peaceful and sustainable future.

The current Global Table cycle will conclude in October 2019 with the Berlin Global Forum, which will present ideas and initiatives that have emerged from these leadership events.

Each year, the BMW Foundation Herbert Quandt hosts only a few Responsible Leaders Forums, to which we invite inspiring leaders from different sectors, backgrounds, and countries. We encourage our participants to deeply reflect on leadership and to engage in intimate conversations about their personal and professional responsibilities.

The next Responsible Leaders Forum Latin America will take place in Mérida, Mexico, the last great capital of the Mayan culture. At this Forum, we specifically want to reflect on how our heritage and background can support the leadership we bring forward.

We are convinced that by promoting Responsible Leadership we are contributing to individual and systemic development towards a peaceful, just, and sustainable future in accordance with the UN 2030 Agenda.