{"id":2346408,"date":"2023-01-17T21:17:01","date_gmt":"2023-01-17T20:17:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.polis180.civilisten.io\/?page_id=2346408"},"modified":"2026-10-16T12:16:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T10:16:23","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/about-us\/","title":{"rendered":"About us"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

About us<\/h1>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2346263″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”ueber-uns-textblock”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Vision<\/h4>\n

We want to be the most innovative centre of ideas and talent by and for young experts and, as an inclusive platform, give them the opportunity to significantly influence foreign and European policy decisions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Mission<\/h4>\n

As a grassroots think tank, we break with established patterns in foreign and European policy, develop new ideas without bias or constraints and help them to achieve a breakthrough. As a bridge between different social groups, we bring them together in our work and thus counteract the growing divide between them.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner el_class=”ueber-uns-buttons”][vc_column_inner][polis_button buttontext=”Articles of Association” buttonlink=”7219″][polis_button buttontext=”Rules of Procedure” buttonlink=”http:\/\/polis180.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/220907_GESCHAeFTSORDNUNG-FUeR-PROGRAMME.pdf” buttoncolor=”turquoise” buttontarget=”_blank”][polis_button buttontext=”Contact” buttonlink=”2346507″ buttoncolor=”pink” buttontarget=”_blank”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Presidium & Board<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

The Board of Polis180 is elected by the General Assembly for a term of one year. The most recent ordinary General Assembly took place on 5 June 2026. The Board consists of two Presidents, a Treasurer, and up to twelve additional members. It conducts the organization\u2019s affairs in accordance with the Articles of Association and implements the resolutions of the General Assembly, which is the supreme decision-making body of Polis180. The Board’s resolutions are adopted by a simple majority.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][polis_button buttontext=”Organizational Chart” buttonlink=”2346507″ buttoncolor=”turquoise” buttontarget=”_blank” buttonalign=”center”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][polis_profile profileimage=”2348775″ profilename=”JONA GRIMM (he\/him)” profileemail=”jona.grimm`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”President \u2013 Legal Affairs & Organisational Development” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Jona is Co-President of Polis180. He is also responsible, in particular, for legal matters and AI innovations. He is particularly interested in issues relating to technology, economic and security policy. Following his role as programme coordinator at the Federal Foreign Office and a dissertation on quantum machine learning, he is now an analyst specialising in geopolitics and technology at a relevant European institution.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351303″ profilename=”CARA THIELEN (she\/her)” profileemail=”cara.thielen`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”President \u2013 Human Resources & Organisational Development” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Cara has been a Polis member since 2021 and co-led the program Peace & Conflict for two years. She has been a member of the board since July 2025 and has been Co-President since June 2026.<\/p>\n

She studied Sociology and Politics and currently pursues her Master\u2019s Degree International Relations in Berlin. Cara is interested in foreign and security policy as well as critical security studies. She works the Cluster of Excellence \u201cContestations of the Liberal Script\u201d (SCRIPTS) at Freie Universit\u00e4t Berlin.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2352747″ profilename=”GERRIT VON ZEDLITZ (he\/him)” profileemail=”gerrit.vonzedlitz`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Treasurer \u2013 Finance” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]As treasurer on the executive board, Gerrit is responsible for finance and human resources. His main areas of interest include geopolitical risks in markets, how companies deal with a changing security landscape, and how democracies function in times of crisis.<\/p>\n

After completing an apprenticeship as a bank clerk, he studied business administration in Mannheim, Toronto and Oslo. He is currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Mannheim as part of a DFG Collaborative Research Centre on markets, transparency and their impact on customers, employees and companies. Research visits have taken him to the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and the Harvard Kennedy School. He also teaches on Bachelor\u2019s, Master\u2019s and MBA programmes.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2350009″ profilename=”MARA DANKBAR (she\/her)” profileemail=”mara.dankbar`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Community & Programme, Internationalisation” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Mara has been a member of Polis180 since October 2022. In July 2024, she was elected to the extended board, where she is jointly responsible for the Community and Programme Coordination department and Internationalisation.<\/p>\n

Mara studied European Studies (University of Osnabr\u00fcck) and Educational Science and Psychology (University of Bielefeld) for her Bachelor’s degrees. She is currently enrolled in a Master’s programme at the University of Osnabr\u00fcck, where she is studying \u2018Conflict Studies and Peacebuilding\u2019 and \u2018European Governance\u2019. She works for a regional EU information centre.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2350319″ profilename=”LARA FRANKEN (she\/her)” profileemail=”lara.franken`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Organisational Development, Community & Programme” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Lara has been a member of Polis180 since 2021 and co-led the \u201cGender and International Politics\u201d programme from January 2023 to January 2025. Since early 2025, she is part of the board, supporting organisational development as well as community and programme management.<\/p>\n

With a Bachelor’s in African Studies and a Master’s in International Relations, Lara has focused on feminist foreign policy, peace and conflict studies, and postcolonial studies, always striving to take an intersectional feminist approach that connects different (multiple) forms of discrimination.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351774″ profilename=”VIVIAN HAGEDORN (she\/her)” profileemail=”vivian.hagedorn`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Social Media & Public Affairs” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Vivian has been a Polis member since 2025 and is active in the \u201cGender and International Politics\u201d programme. Since December 2025 she is a member of the board and is responsible for social media.<\/span><\/p>\n

She studied the Masters Programme in Sociology and Political Science in D\u00fcsseldorf and focuses on feminist foreign policy and disarmament. She is designing and conducting workshops about politics and democracy for the State Agency for Political Education Berlin, polyspektiv and the CIVIC institute for international education.<\/span>[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2352750″ profilename=”LUCAS LIEBIG (he\/him)” profileemail=”lucas.liebig`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Organisational Development, Legal Affairs” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=””][\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2351305″ profilename=”JOHANNA LUTZ (she\/her)” profileemail=”johanna.lutz`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Community & Programme” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Johanna has been a Polis member since February 2025 and is involved in the Perspective East and (Un)making Democracy programs. She joined the board in July 2025, taking responsibility for community and programme management. From June 2026, she has also been responsible for publications..<\/p>\n

She studies Peacebuilding & Conflict Studies at the University of Osnabr\u00fcck, with a regional focus on the South Caucasus and Central Asia.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2352750″ profilename=”JANNIK MERTENS (he\/him)” profileemail=”jannik.mertens`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Publications, Community & Programme” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”][\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2352751″ profilename=”LEON SCHWALBE (he\/him)” profileemail=”leon.schwalbe`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”IT, Social Media & Public Affairs” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Leon has been a member of Polis since 2026 and is jointly responsible for IT, Social Media & Public Affairs on the executive board.<\/p>\n

He ist studying Social Sciences at Humboldt University in Berlin and works for a member of the Presidium of the German Bundestag. Previously, he held a position at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin. He has a particular interest in public policy and transnational governance.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2352750″ profilename=”ELIF WEISS (she\/her)” profileemail=”elif.weiss`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Social Media & Public Affairs” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Elfi is responsible for social media and public relations at Polis180 and is currently working on further developing the brand strategy. Since 2025, she has been helping to build up the Munich local branch in her role as co-regional manager.<\/p>\n

Professionally, she works as a research assistant in the field of renewable energy and climate protection.[\/polis_profile][polis_profile profileimage=”2346827″ profilename=”DEIN NAME (pronouns)” profileemail=”dein.name`{`at`}`polis180.org” profileposition=”Dein Ressort” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=”” image=”23846″ profiletext=”Mein text”]Each year, the General Assembly elects a new board. You can bring in your own ideas and proposals, discuss important issues and help realise concrete visions for the association’s future. If you’re interested or have any questions, please reach out to any member of our board or info@polis180.org.<\/a>[\/polis_profile][vc_separator color=”black”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Office<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][polis_profile profileimage=”2348655″ profilename=”STEPHANIE EFREMOVA-BUSCH (she\/her)” profileemail=”stephanie.efremova-busch@polis180.org” profileposition=”Head Office Coordination” profiletwitter=”” profileinsta=”” profilelinked=”” profilefacebook=””]Stephanie supports the board in the association\u2019s management.<\/p>\n

She is the first poin<\/span>t of c<\/span>ontact for membe<\/span>rs and non-members.<\/span><\/p>\n

She started her journey with Polis180 in the migration programme.<\/p>\n

Stephanie studied law at Martin Luther University in Halle, with a focus on migration law.
\nShe also supports a young politician in the Berlin city parliament in her constituency.
\nIn her free time, she enjoys photography, concerts and nature.[\/polis_profile][vc_separator color=”black”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row margin_top=”60px”][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Our story<\/h2>\n

Polis180 was founded in June 2015 by a group of young people with diverse backgrounds and political views. Currently, Polis180 has over 600 members.<\/p>\n

Our age group will have to live with the consequences of current political decisions for the longest time. Therefore, we discuss and reenvision foreign and European affairs and
\npresent our proposals to decision-makers.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2346442″ img_size=”580×0″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”2346718″ img_size=”large” el_id=”\u00dcber Uns”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\u201cBei Polis versteht man<\/em> sich als Sprachrohr der<\/em> j\u00fcngeren Generation \u2013<\/em> politisch, aber gleichzeitig<\/em> \u00fcberparteilich.\u201d \u2013 <\/em>S\u00fcddeutsche Zeitung<\/h4>\n

Polis180 is based on our members’ engagement.
\nThe Board is responsible for strategic decisions and conducts the association’s day-to-day affairs.
\nFor larger projects, we employ project staff.
\nOur activities are made possible by public and private funds, our members’ contributions and donations.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] About us [\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2346263″ img_size=”full”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row el_class=”ueber-uns-textblock”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text] Vision We want to be the most innovative centre of ideas and talent by and for young experts and, as an inclusive platform, give them the opportunity to significantly influence foreign and European policy decisions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text] Mission As a grassroots think tank, we break with established patterns … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":256,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2346408","page","type-page","status-publish"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2346408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/256"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2346408"}],"version-history":[{"count":49,"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2346408\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2352754,"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2346408\/revisions\/2352754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/polis180.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2346408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}