We are pleased to invite Ivy Circle members & alums to a Symposium in Munich, hosted by the MIT Club of Germany at the Amerikahaus on Fri. 22 May 2026.
We would be grateful if this invitation can be forwarded to all alums of the Ivy Circle members. Details are included in the attached pdf.
Bringing together alumni of leading US and UK universities, the symposium will explore one of the most pressing challenges of our time:
“Geopolitics & Transatlantic Cooperation – Navigating Global Power Shifts in Europe & Germany”
As the war in Ukraine — alongside escalating geopolitical tensions in the middle East — continues to reshape Europe’s security architecture, the need for a deeper understanding of the strategic, technological and economic implications has become increasingly urgent.
The symposium will bring together senior voices from defence, policy, industry and academia to examine key dimensions shaping this new landscape, including:
- The war in Ukraine as a catalyst for global power shifts
- The emergence of defence innovation ecosystems in Europe
- Technology, sovereignty and strategic autonomy
- Information warfare and its impact on democratic systems
- The scaling of battlefield-proven technologies into industrial capability
Confirmed speakers include:
- Gen. a.D. Andreas Hoppe, former deputy Commanding Officer of the Bundeswehr, German Ministry of Defence
- Dr. Philipp Gerbert, CEO, TUM Venture Labs (PhD MIT)
- Quirin Herz, HENSOLDT (Defence & Deep Tech Strategy)
- Dr. Sae Schatz, expert on cognition, disinformation and security systems
- Nadiia Vasylieva, former MIT Fulbright Visiting Scholar, advisor on AI & defence innovation
- Dr. Benedikt Franke, Vice-Chairman & CEO, Munich Security Conference
The programme will culminate in a panel discussion on Europe’s readiness for a new era of conflict, followed by a closing perspective on resilience and transatlantic cooperation.
We would be delighted to welcome you for an afternoon of focused insight, meaningful exchange, and high-level networking, followed by a reception and dinner.
- Date: Friday, 22 May 2026
- Time: 14:00 – 22:00 (followed by a reception & dinner)
- Location: Amerikahaus München
Please register on our website under LINK – under “Ivy Circle, Münchner Kreis & partnered guests“ (ticket price for the Symposium, Drinks & Dinner: €100)
For any further questions please contact Wolfgang Ungerer via wolfgang.ungerer@MIT-Club.de