Politics, Bundeswehr and economics in search for strategy

How can geopolitical uncertainties be reflected upon strategically? And how can a society respond resiliently to crises without becoming incapacitated? These questions were discussed by around 30 leaders from politics, armed forces, emergency services, and commerce as part of the strategic leadership seminar on resilience in companies, which was held for the first time on March 14 and 15, jointly organized by the State Parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate, the State Command Rhineland-Palatinate of the Bundeswehr, and the Academy of German Cooperatives (ADG) at Schloss Montabaur.

The Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President, Alexander Schweitzer, emphasized in his impulse the shared responsibility of all societal actors. "The crises of our time - from geopolitical tensions to the major challenges facing our economy to threats to our democratic order - require decisive action. Resilience means actively protecting our democratic institutions, strengthening the trust of citizens in political processes, and positioning Europe as a strong, independent force on the world stage. With the largest US military presence in Germany, Rhineland-Palatinate bears a special security responsibility and will continue to uphold the transatlantic dialogue. At the same time, we must strengthen our economic resilience - through predictable investment incentives, the protection of critical infrastructure, effective measures against cybercrime, and targeted support for future industries such as Artificial Intelligence and Biotechnology. Now is the time to preserve our democracy, overcome polarization, and make society resilient for the future. For this, it is essential for all democrats in Europe to stand together," said Minister President Alexander Schweitzer.

Various sectors of society connected

State Parliament President, Hendrik Hering, said: "In order to respond to crisis situations as effectively as possible and to be able to prepare for them, it is crucial that the various sectors of our society are interconnected and well-informed. This seminar therefore contributes to efficient crisis management in Rhineland-Palatinate, in Germany, as well as with our European partners."

Colonel Stefan Weber, Commander of the State Command Rhineland-Palatinate, emphasized the importance of cooperation and mutual understanding between civil society and the Bundeswehr. "China's pursuit of supremacy, the still volatile situation in the Middle East, the questioning of a rules-based world order by states, but above all, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine daily remind us that peace, freedom, and democracy are not to be taken for granted. Rather, it requires a comprehensive state, indeed societal resilience, to effectively ensure the protection of our values. The Bundeswehr contributes to this. In Rhineland-Palatinate, the State Command works closely with the state government on Operation Germany, to be able to deploy German and allied forces, if necessary, as well as to protect critical infrastructure. This seminar is therefore significant because it generates a mutual understanding among decision-makers in Rhineland-Palatinate," said Colonel Stefan Weber, Commander of the State Command Rhineland-Palatinate.

Further impulses came from Dr. Peter Tauber, former Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense, and from journalist and moderator Jörg Thadeusz, who highlighted the role of credible communication in times of crisis. The goal of the two-day seminar was to make security policy challenges tangible, promote strategic thinking, and initiate the establishment of a cross-sectoral "Strategic Community." Concrete approaches to strengthening societal resilience were discussed in the expert contributions, a role-playing game, and a panel discussion.

ADG Board Member Boris Nannt underscored the relevance of the topic and the importance of an open dialogue: "Resilience is not created in a crisis - it must be built beforehand. We must not only address our own security when it is too late. It requires an open, courageous discourse about our vulnerabilities, without taboos and sugar-coating. The seminar provides a perfect framework for this. Because it is about strengthening resilience - an ability that is essential in times like these. Such formats are, for me, a lived attitude."

About the ADG Group:

In the exclusive and inspiring setting of the baroque castle grounds in Montabaur with state-of-the-art conference rooms, the Academy of German Cooperatives (ADG) offers professional and customer-centric training, qualifications, and certifications at the highest level for board members and executives. The ADG Business School, Faculty of Business & Economics at the Steinbeis University, additionally offers vocational and career-integrated bachelor's and master's programs at various institutions throughout Germany.

About the State Command Rhineland-Palatinate:

The State Command Rhineland-Palatinate represents the Bundeswehr in Rhineland-Palatinate and is the primary contact for the state government. Its core mission is civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) in a type of hinge function. It reports directly to the Operational Command of the Bundeswehr based in Berlin. In the state, it is primarily responsible for territorial defense within the framework of national and alliance defense. The State Command Rhineland-Palatinate produces a situational picture for the state, which includes both the military and civilian components, including the health situation. In the context of assistance in emergencies and disasters, as well as in national and alliance defense, forces can be temporarily assigned to the State Command at the tactical level.