The first presentation, from the German Rectors' Conference (HRK), showed current fields of action within the  HRK European Research Policy, and how universities could contribute to the European Research Area as a connecting element at the interface of different areas, such as culture, innovation and research.

Dr. Steffi Heinecke then introduced the Disoscuri Programme which is jointly managed by the Max Planck Society and the National Science Centre in Poland (NCN). The programme supports the development of lighthouses of scientific excellence in Central and Eastern Europe, the so-called Dioscuri Centres.

The last presentation was about the Helmholtz Association, their future agenda and challenges for the research areas. Ms. Rosenbach furthermore introduced the Helmholtz Internationalization Strategy 2017-2022 with its  respective objectives 'science diplomacy', 'expanding international strategic partnerships', 'cooperative top-level research at European level' and 'how to attract talent from all over the world'. We also learned about the Helmholtz own Initiative and Networking Fund.

In the afternoon, the Fellows and hosts went on a guided walking tour, the "Path of Democracy", through the former capital of Germany, Bonn. They learned how Bonn became the de facto capital, officially designated the "temporary seat of the Federal institutions," of the newly formed Federal Republic of Germany in 1949, and how it transformed into the Federal City of today, with its international dimension.

All photos: © Bjanka Bethke / DLR Projektträger